Should Lobbyists be limited to a publication sent to elected Representatives

[sam sarrha]

it would not be limiting free speech and would be taking the bribes out of the process.

eliminate the Profit and you cut the balls off of Fascism

[unblock]

1. that's an interesting start, but bribery would still be there

as long as campaign contributors have a way to communicate what they want, along with an understanding of the linkage, then bribery will continue.

but i like the idea of regulating lobbyist activity. it would be interesting to see a publication of lobbyists' proposals. lobbyists should be entitled to free speech, but i don't see offhand why that speech shouldn't be a matter of public record....

[Canuckistanian]

2. You know that "publication" would have something tucked inside

And what would the legal definition of a "publication" be?

[unblock]

4. i was thinking something like the congressional record.

i.e., all lobbyist requests had to be made through the 'lobbyists daily review' or something like that.

[sam sarrha]

5. Great Idea..!!!

[unblock]

7. of course, we all know how that would work in practice

"um mr. lobbyist moneybags, this is congressman greedypiglet. i just wanted to get some clarification on your request in today's paper?"

"yeah, i thought that might be a bit unclear. where i said '$100,000,000 will be paid to educate all schoolchildren in america', what we meant was that the money should be sent to my client and that the lesson would be 'never trust a lobbyist'"

[Canuckistanian]

6. Yeah, that's good

That would work.

[sam sarrha]

3. Making it PUBLIC is most important.. that will lead to limits in contribut...

..ions when people see the bullshit publically, now it is all a secret