March 16, 2006 Columns » IQ

The Jack Abramoff scandal has put"a glaring spotlight on a lobbying industry that is, arguably, the single most corrupting influence on present-day politics. The amount of money involved is staggering, and it's increasingly the norm for elected officials to take pot-of-gold lobbying gigs when their terms are up.

Keeping the trough filled 

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The Jack Abramoff scandal has put"a glaring spotlight on a lobbying industry that is, arguably, the single most corrupting influence on present-day politics. The amount of money involved is staggering, and it's increasingly the norm for elected officials to take pot-of-gold lobbying gigs when their terms are up. For more on how the lobbying game is playing out in Colorado, read this week's cover story, starting on page 15.
click to enlarge Brandon Payne - - Southeast - - Middle-school teacher - - What sort of regulations should lobbyists be subject - to? Caps should be placed on the amount of money - a particular lobbyist or organization can contribute to an - elected official. Elected officials should be prohibited - from going on to be lobbyists. - - Is it legitimate for lobbyists to craft legislation? - Absolutely not. It is impossible to keep the lobbyists' - interests and money out of the end product. - - Can lobbyists play a positive role? Some - lobbyists represent socially responsible philanthropic - organizations, rather than money-making businesses. - - Is it wise for politicians to accept gifts from - lobbyists? I can see no reason to accept junkets to - Tahiti, but campaign contributions is a separate issue.
  • Brandon Payne

    Southeast

    Middle-school teacher

    What sort of regulations should lobbyists be subject to? Caps should be placed on the amount of money a particular lobbyist or organization can contribute to an elected official. Elected officials should be prohibited from going on to be lobbyists.

    Is it legitimate for lobbyists to craft legislation? Absolutely not. It is impossible to keep the lobbyists' interests and money out of the end product.

    Can lobbyists play a positive role? Some lobbyists represent socially responsible philanthropic organizations, rather than money-making businesses.

    Is it wise for politicians to accept gifts from lobbyists? I can see no reason to accept junkets to Tahiti, but campaign contributions is a separate issue.

click to enlarge Thom Andreas - - Vista Grande - - Clerk and Recorder's Office employee - - Describe what lobbyists do. Use money and - influence to get legislation that favors their clients' - interests. - - What regulations should lobbyists be subject to? - Ideally, none. If they have the money, and they - want - to spend it, that's their prerogative. - - Is it legitimate for lobbyists to craft legislation? - They have a right to influence legislation, but not - write it. That's too carte blanche. - - What's wrong withpoliticians accepting gifts from - lobbyists? I can tell you as a government employee - that it makes ethical sense to put specific limits on what - kind of gifts can be given, and how much they cost. - - If you were an elected official, would you accept a - paid golfing trip to St. Andrews? No. What does St. - Andrews have to do with my job?
  • Thom Andreas

    Vista Grande

    Clerk and Recorder's Office employee

    Describe what lobbyists do. Use money and influence to get legislation that favors their clients' interests.

    What regulations should lobbyists be subject to? Ideally, none. If they have the money, and they want to spend it, that's their prerogative.

    Is it legitimate for lobbyists to craft legislation? They have a right to influence legislation, but not write it. That's too carte blanche.

    What's wrong withpoliticians accepting gifts from lobbyists? I can tell you as a government employee that it makes ethical sense to put specific limits on what kind of gifts can be given, and how much they cost.

    If you were an elected official, would you accept a paid golfing trip to St. Andrews? No. What does St. Andrews have to do with my job?

click to enlarge Sheera LaBelle - - Portland, Maine - - Nurse - - What do lobbyists do? Impart information - about issues important to whomever they represent. - - Do lobbyists ever havea positive role? - Legislators can't know every single issue. Lobbyists help - inform them. - - Should politicians accept gifts from lobbyists? - A gift from a lobbyist inherently smacks of corruption. - - What do you make of the presidentblocking - photos of him shaking hands with Abramoff? He - doesn't want his rock-bottom ratings to drop even - further. - - If you were a politician, would you accept a trip to - St. Andrews? As a college health nurse, drug reps - are always coming in with cookies and other goodies, - and trying to wine and dine us with dinners. That can be - very tempting. I went to one of these dinners a number - of years back, and it felt sooo sleazy.
  • Sheera LaBelle

    Portland, Maine

    Nurse

    What do lobbyists do? Impart information about issues important to whomever they represent.

    Do lobbyists ever havea positive role? Legislators can't know every single issue. Lobbyists help inform them.

    Should politicians accept gifts from lobbyists? A gift from a lobbyist inherently smacks of corruption.

    What do you make of the presidentblocking photos of him shaking hands with Abramoff? He doesn't want his rock-bottom ratings to drop even further.

    If you were a politician, would you accept a trip to St. Andrews? As a college health nurse, drug reps are always coming in with cookies and other goodies, and trying to wine and dine us with dinners. That can be very tempting. I went to one of these dinners a number of years back, and it felt sooo sleazy.

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