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Just now catching up on smaller news items from yesterday and, behold, amidst the justifiable rejoicing that occurs as Congress passes language requiring more transparency for spending earmarks (a hat tip to The DC Examiner's Mark Tapscott and many conservative bloggers for that one), there is much reason, again, to be disgusted with Congress: According the the WashPost, this worthy earmark-related bill is supposed to suffice as the entirety of internal congressional reforms, after promises in January from Speaker Hastert and others that serious lobbying reform/gift reform would take place. So citizens can remain assured that their Reps and senators are still able to accept golf junkets and ritzy free meals while pretending that they aren't swayed legislatively as a result. These people are incorrigible. If not literally, then at least figuratively, they are crooks. Bleep every last one of them.

To be clear, the problem is NOT with lobbyists, it is with a Congress whose rules and behavior makes lobbying, by virtual invitation, a matter less of exercising reasoned persuasion than of spreading around enough goodies to be paid attention to.

The lobbyists are doing their jobs. It is the congressmen who are corrupt.

topics:
Earmarks, NATO