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
