tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34867261.post7661024350387116070..comments2023-10-25T04:44:35.462-04:00Comments on Rather Than Working: The Big Boys' and Girls' World That We Don't Live InDavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04411527807049220749noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34867261.post-80539414243782073562010-03-31T12:05:16.035-04:002010-03-31T12:05:16.035-04:00In the early 1990's when I was working for our...In the early 1990's when I was working for our local GOP, Jack Kemp came to visit. One of the conditions for his visit was that he be picked up at the airport and driven everywhere in a NEW Lincoln Continental. All I had was a Mercury Grand Marquee and the Chairman of the local party drove a Chevy. We didn't have the money to rent one but finally found a party member who would loan us hers. Kemp tried to be "Mr. Nice Guy" but you tell he thought we were all beneath him - the things you have to do to get a few votes.<br /><br />A few years ago FL passed a financial disclosure bill that requires all legislators to disclose all gifts, trips, meals, everything, even coffee and a doughnut provided by a lobbyist. I think this has helped some, although I'm sure there are loopholes somewhere.Sonja's Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07696694912040093876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34867261.post-65316951382357576962010-03-30T19:43:15.654-04:002010-03-30T19:43:15.654-04:00Maybe; but, there are problems. All the money is ...Maybe; but, there are problems. All the money is "disclosed" now, here in Georgia and for the GOP and the Dems. Every now and again the media looks into them and does a story about the fun stuff.<br /><br />And, I distinguish between contributions to a campaign and lobbyist "entertainment." Here in Georgia they spend millions to influence the Legislature by lunches, trips, sports outings and "retreats." That isn't First Amendment stuff and to my mind, a public official shouldn't be able to receive more than a cup of coffee, and maybe not a Starbucks cup because it's expensive.<br /><br />Our Pols say they aren't bought or influenced by a lunch or dinner or weekend at the Georgia/Florida game in Jacksonville (accessed in a nice corporate jet). Bull.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04411527807049220749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34867261.post-69880887566001931972010-03-30T19:19:28.184-04:002010-03-30T19:19:28.184-04:00I am a big fan of disclosures as opposed to limits...I am a big fan of disclosures as opposed to limits. Because limits can be more readily circumvented, I believe, than disclosures: If you spend it, you must disclose it. Easier to trace, easier to prove.<br /><br />"Limits" we know are a joke because all it has done is created the "bundler" who is skilled at getting... and bundling... donations from, say, all the partners in a law firm, and most of the paralegals, and some of the secretaries (some of whom actually may have contributed... but only some). Two words: Tony Rezko.<br /><br />I would let anyone donate anything -- let Hugo Chavez or the Chinese try and buy influence in Congress, for example -- <i>as long as the donations are disclosed</i>. That would make "straw" donations clearly wrong and more easily punishable, don't you think?<br /><br />We deserve the government we get. If Microsoft or ExxonMobil or Barbara Streisand or Rush Limbaugh wants to buy a senator -- <i>and we vote for that person anyway</i> -- it's our fault. If we knew about it, at least. Don't you think so, too?The Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14723009641287783218noreply@blogger.com