Comments on: McCain to Lobbyists: “Birds of Prey” http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/ Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:36:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Brian_M_Johnson http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-75 Brian_M_Johnson Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:56:28 +0000 #comment-75 <p>Actually, the Heritage Foundation is a think-tank which legally they cannot advocate for legislation and therefore are not lobbyists. </p> <p>There is much need for clarification between think-tanks, principled issue advocacy groups and corporate lobbyists.</p> Actually, the Heritage Foundation is a think-tank which legally they cannot advocate for legislation and therefore are not lobbyists.

There is much need for clarification between think-tanks, principled issue advocacy groups and corporate lobbyists.

]]> By: Achance http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-74 Achance Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:03:17 +0000 #comment-74 <p>but at least four years or the next Presidential election, whichever is later would be good for members of Congress, appointees, and even high level 'crats and military officers. That's long enough that you're not really an old boy anymore and your power connections are eroded if not entirely gone. The ultimate rule in politics is "what have you done for me lately," and four years is an eternity.</p> <p>The rule in most ethics laws is you are prohibited from dealing with anything about which you had direct responsibility and possess knowledge not available to the general public; that's a hard test, especially if you had regulatory or ministerial responsibility. I know I had to play a game of chicken with the State ethics attorney here for my two years about whether what I knew about some things was public or not. I resolved it by offering to have an open, public discussion of ethics anytime they'd like and gave them some indications of things I knew that were not public; they lost their ardor quickly.</p> but at least four years or the next Presidential election, whichever is later would be good for members of Congress, appointees, and even high level ‘crats and military officers. That’s long enough that you’re not really an old boy anymore and your power connections are eroded if not entirely gone. The ultimate rule in politics is “what have you done for me lately,” and four years is an eternity.

The rule in most ethics laws is you are prohibited from dealing with anything about which you had direct responsibility and possess knowledge not available to the general public; that’s a hard test, especially if you had regulatory or ministerial responsibility. I know I had to play a game of chicken with the State ethics attorney here for my two years about whether what I knew about some things was public or not. I resolved it by offering to have an open, public discussion of ethics anytime they’d like and gave them some indications of things I knew that were not public; they lost their ardor quickly.

]]> By: mbecker908 http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-73 mbecker908 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:36:46 +0000 #comment-73 <p>Heh.</p> <p>I can just imagine the sight of Cols & Cptns turning down flag promotions because of the money it would cost them as lobbyiests.</p> Heh.

I can just imagine the sight of Cols & Cptns turning down flag promotions because of the money it would cost them as lobbyiests.

]]> By: Brian_M_Johnson http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-72 Brian_M_Johnson Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:57:47 +0000 #comment-72 <p>"RedState: Brought to you by the letters B and F and the number 500, along with thought funding from the Corporation for Excellence in Broadcasting, and readers like you. Thank you."</p> <p>Just thought I'd throw that out there. </p> “RedState: Brought to you by the letters B and F and the number 500, along with thought funding from the Corporation for Excellence in Broadcasting, and readers like you. Thank you.”

Just thought I’d throw that out there.

]]> By: Neil_Stevens http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-71 Neil_Stevens Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:44:05 +0000 #comment-71 <p>The bad 99% give the other 1% a bad name.</p> The bad 99% give the other 1% a bad name.

]]> By: Neil_Stevens http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-70 Neil_Stevens Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:42:05 +0000 #comment-70 By: CV_Gas http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-69 CV_Gas Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:35:02 +0000 #comment-69 <p>I know, it limits the "true" will of the people, but so does the electoral college. I do think that this check on rampant pure democracy is needed to limit the careerness (my word) of politics. Government service was supposed be just that, government SERVICE - not access to the trough at the peoples' expense. Let these people come in, do their thing and let them return from whilst they came. Another way to diminish their power is to expand the number of Representatives in Congress. As the population of this country grows, so does the relative power of each individual Rep. How does one Rep. honestly meet th needs of over 660,000 citizens? (I'd love to be educated on the historical aspect of this).</p> I know, it limits the “true” will of the people, but so does the electoral college. I do think that this check on rampant pure democracy is needed to limit the careerness (my word) of politics. Government service was supposed be just that, government SERVICE – not access to the trough at the peoples’ expense. Let these people come in, do their thing and let them return from whilst they came. Another way to diminish their power is to expand the number of Representatives in Congress. As the population of this country grows, so does the relative power of each individual Rep. How does one Rep. honestly meet th needs of over 660,000 citizens? (I’d love to be educated on the historical aspect of this).

]]> By: rstreu http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-68 rstreu Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:29:18 +0000 #comment-68 <p>While it's a granted that not all lobbyists are lobbying for bigger government, "lobbying" and "big government" <em>are</em> becoming more and more synonymous. </p> <p>Listening to the American people is one thing... gladhanding career lobbyists is something else entirely.</p> While it’s a granted that not all lobbyists are lobbying for bigger government, “lobbying” and “big government” are becoming more and more synonymous.

Listening to the American people is one thing… gladhanding career lobbyists is something else entirely.

]]> By: Swamp_Yankee http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-67 Swamp_Yankee Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:48:34 +0000 #comment-67 <p>Of course lobbying has free speech implications. That's how screwed up this country has become that even so-called conservatives will trample the most important form of free speech - political free speech - to crusade for progressive "good government"</p> <p>Campaign finance certainly got the "dirty money" out of politics, didn't it. CFR accomplished nothing and just gave us a whole new set of lawyers and beurocrats to litigate and enforce more ineffectual laws. </p> <p>As a conservative, you should hate laws and regulations and restrictions on speech. Progressives will use all this sound bite stuff to pass more ineffectual laws against "dirty money" lobbyists. </p> <p>I value my right to associate with like minded people who advocate on behalf of the causes I hold dear. </p> Of course lobbying has free speech implications. That’s how screwed up this country has become that even so-called conservatives will trample the most important form of free speech – political free speech – to crusade for progressive “good government”

Campaign finance certainly got the “dirty money” out of politics, didn’t it. CFR accomplished nothing and just gave us a whole new set of lawyers and beurocrats to litigate and enforce more ineffectual laws.

As a conservative, you should hate laws and regulations and restrictions on speech. Progressives will use all this sound bite stuff to pass more ineffectual laws against “dirty money” lobbyists.

I value my right to associate with like minded people who advocate on behalf of the causes I hold dear.

]]> By: Old_Crow http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-66 Old_Crow Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:28:37 +0000 #comment-66 <p>The ability to lobby is an important freedom. It's the inside game that needs to be changed. I would add to Mbecker's list, retired Flag and General level officers be prohibited from lobbying for defense related companies. The biggest problem is former politicians (and their families) though. </p> The ability to lobby is an important freedom. It’s the inside game that needs to be changed. I would add to Mbecker’s list, retired Flag and General level officers be prohibited from lobbying for defense related companies. The biggest problem is former politicians (and their families) though.

]]> By: TheSophist http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-65 TheSophist Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:25:17 +0000 #comment-65 <p>It isn't the <strong>LOBBYING</strong> that's the problem.</p> <p>It's the <strong>RESULTS</strong> of the lobbying that's the problem.</p> <p>In other words, if our government didn't get involved in granting of monopolies, earmarking public funds to pet projects, interfering in the economy in all sorts of bad ways, and so on, then the lobbying itself isn't much of a problem.</p> <p>-TS</p> It isn’t the LOBBYING that’s the problem.

It’s the RESULTS of the lobbying that’s the problem.

In other words, if our government didn’t get involved in granting of monopolies, earmarking public funds to pet projects, interfering in the economy in all sorts of bad ways, and so on, then the lobbying itself isn’t much of a problem.

-TS

]]> By: Old_Crow http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-64 Old_Crow Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:15:10 +0000 #comment-64 <p>It's more about buying access to politicians. You gotta pay to play and the public is very poorly represented. I know quite a few lobbyists, from retired Flag officers to former politicians, and would characterize most of them as whores - hired guns for whoever can cut the checks. Yes, we have a freedom to petition our elected representatives, but the current system is broken, corrupt, and undermines the general public. Frankly, I don't mind McCain going maverick on the whole bunch - slash and burn is appropriate in this case.</p> It’s more about buying access to politicians. You gotta pay to play and the public is very poorly represented. I know quite a few lobbyists, from retired Flag officers to former politicians, and would characterize most of them as whores – hired guns for whoever can cut the checks. Yes, we have a freedom to petition our elected representatives, but the current system is broken, corrupt, and undermines the general public. Frankly, I don’t mind McCain going maverick on the whole bunch – slash and burn is appropriate in this case.

]]> By: mbecker908 http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-63 mbecker908 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:04:14 +0000 #comment-63 <p>I would make a couple of changes to the current laws on lobbying. The biggest change I would make would be to make it impossible for any Member of Congress to act as a paid lobbyist EVER, after they've left office. I would also ban all family members, out to at least fourth or fifth cousins from ever lobbying for money. And I would make it a felony with a minimum mandatory 5 year sentence plus a minimum fine of ten times the money paid to the member or relative.</p> I would make a couple of changes to the current laws on lobbying. The biggest change I would make would be to make it impossible for any Member of Congress to act as a paid lobbyist EVER, after they’ve left office. I would also ban all family members, out to at least fourth or fifth cousins from ever lobbying for money. And I would make it a felony with a minimum mandatory 5 year sentence plus a minimum fine of ten times the money paid to the member or relative.

]]> By: Tim_Schieferecke http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-62 Tim_Schieferecke Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:38:06 +0000 #comment-62 <p>God speed in your efforts Brian. If you represented The Friends of the Field Mouse or any group that tried to cost me money or liberty, I'd call you a whore house piano player. Laissez Faire.</p> God speed in your efforts Brian. If you represented The Friends of the Field Mouse or any group that tried to cost me money or liberty, I’d call you a whore house piano player. Laissez Faire.

]]> By: Brian_M_Johnson http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-61 Brian_M_Johnson Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:27:20 +0000 #comment-61 <p>Judy - </p> <p>I think you, like most of America, is greatly mistaken when it comes to grouping all lobbyists into the soul-less whores that the media portrays us to be.</p> <p>That being said, there is a big difference between non-profit issue advocacy organizations (like ATR) and unprincipled gun-for-hire-schills which I assume you think would be perfect for whore house piano playing.</p> <p>If I were a corporate whore I'd be paid a lot better! </p> <p>But thanks for commenting </p> Judy –

I think you, like most of America, is greatly mistaken when it comes to grouping all lobbyists into the soul-less whores that the media portrays us to be.

That being said, there is a big difference between non-profit issue advocacy organizations (like ATR) and unprincipled gun-for-hire-schills which I assume you think would be perfect for whore house piano playing.

If I were a corporate whore I’d be paid a lot better!

But thanks for commenting

]]> By: Swamp_Yankee http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-60 Swamp_Yankee Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:04:54 +0000 #comment-60 <p>I suppose you can find a bunch of like minded people, raise some money, go to Washington, and lobby members of Congress that they should only be listening to lobbyists that are lobbying for causes that adhere to original intent.</p> <p>See, isn't it a great country. </p> <p>God bless, free speech, free association and America.</p> I suppose you can find a bunch of like minded people, raise some money, go to Washington, and lobby members of Congress that they should only be listening to lobbyists that are lobbying for causes that adhere to original intent.

See, isn’t it a great country.

God bless, free speech, free association and America.

]]> By: Tim_Schieferecke http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-59 Tim_Schieferecke Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:04:17 +0000 #comment-59 <p>There's no need to create new ones. There are already some very fine organizations fighting the good fight.</p> There’s no need to create new ones. There are already some very fine organizations fighting the good fight.

]]> By: JTaylor http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-58 JTaylor Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:02:07 +0000 #comment-58 <p>37000 lobbyists in DC? Gee it is not as if DC, MD, or NOVA would go for McCain anyway. If you are worried about the less than flattering depiction of lobbyist then maybe you should seek a more honorable profession such as playing piano in a whore house. Ah, umm, oh, now wait maybe the piano player isn't enough of a change given that then being a lobbyist at the Capitol is so similar those whorehouse activities.</p> <p>Then again, I don't find ally lobbying bad -- just those who lobby for positions contrary to my own. </p> <p>Being pulled into the Keating five, as the lone Republican, and then athough found clean, by a Democrat led investigation no less, but not being removed from the investigation, again because the Dems needed to drag a Republican with them.... well then no wonder McCain dislikes lobbyists. Now I just wish he would stop referring to everyone as his friend. Friends do not pull you into scandals as their political cover stooge.</p> 37000 lobbyists in DC? Gee it is not as if DC, MD, or NOVA would go for McCain anyway. If you are worried about the less than flattering depiction of lobbyist then maybe you should seek a more honorable profession such as playing piano in a whore house. Ah, umm, oh, now wait maybe the piano player isn’t enough of a change given that then being a lobbyist at the Capitol is so similar those whorehouse activities.

Then again, I don’t find ally lobbying bad — just those who lobby for positions contrary to my own.

Being pulled into the Keating five, as the lone Republican, and then athough found clean, by a Democrat led investigation no less, but not being removed from the investigation, again because the Dems needed to drag a Republican with them…. well then no wonder McCain dislikes lobbyists. Now I just wish he would stop referring to everyone as his friend. Friends do not pull you into scandals as their political cover stooge.

]]> By: not_neo_just_conservative http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-57 not_neo_just_conservative Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:00:44 +0000 #comment-57 <p>"But, with over 37,000 registered lobbyists in the Washington, DC area alone, I might have choosen different words."</p> <p>I wasn't aware that DC was in play...</p> “But, with over 37,000 registered lobbyists in the Washington, DC area alone, I might have choosen different words.”

I wasn’t aware that DC was in play…

]]> By: Swamp_Yankee http://www.redstate.com/brian_m_johnson/2008/08/21/mccain-to-lobbyists-birds-of-prey/#comment-56 Swamp_Yankee Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:59:29 +0000 #comment-56 <p>I suppose you can find a bunch of like minded people, raise some money, go to Washington, and lobby members of Congress that they should only be listening to lobbyists that are lobbying for causes that adhere to original intent.</p> <p>See, isn't it a great country. </p> <p>God bless, free speech, free association and America.</p> I suppose you can find a bunch of like minded people, raise some money, go to Washington, and lobby members of Congress that they should only be listening to lobbyists that are lobbying for causes that adhere to original intent.

See, isn’t it a great country.

God bless, free speech, free association and America.

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