Posted on 02/21/2015 8:07:26 AM PST by TurboZamboni
Frank Underwood of Netflix's "House of Cards" may seem like America's most corrupt politician. He will stop at nothing, not even murder, to advance his political career. But as a political scientist, I know that real-life corruption is much more commonplace -- and frankly more boring. Usually it's just a job offer.
Remember Jack Abramoff, one of the best-connected lobbyists on Capitol Hill during the George W. Bush administration? In 2006, Abramoff was convicted on federal conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion charges. The scandal eventually led to the conviction of or plea bargains from 21 people, including White House officials, fellow lobbyists, congressional staffers and former Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio).
According to Abramoff's playbook on how to gain influence in Washington, you could "own" a congressional office as soon as you said to a top staffer, "You know, when you're done working on the Hill, we'd very much like you to consider working for us."
Those magic words win access and information more readily than campaign donations. With a job offer on the table, the official or staff member is all but working for the lobbying firm, on the taxpayers' dime.
This isn't just hypothetical. Political scientist Adolfo Santos has found that public officials who have plans to become lobbyists act differently while in office from their colleagues who don't. Interestingly, they are more successful at passing the bills they introduce than officials who don't go on to be lobbyists.
(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...
Lobbyists , Congresses way of getting some extra, FREE cash
My former Congressman, Eric Cantor, didn’t even finish his term after his defeat in the primary so he could cash in on Wall Street.
These weasels are still influencing policy even after we throw them out of office.
If the federal government were cut in half at least half of the lobbyists would disappear or starve to death.
Slow it down? How about end it completely? Or make a 20 year moratorium, after service as a staffer or congressfool?
They should have no design that the law they pass be structured for their career path goals.
Just a taste. (Staffers, who they work for in DC and who their “former” employers were)
http://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/reverse.php
“chief of staff for GOP staffers”
That such an office even exists,,,
Committee staffers and their former employees.
http://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/reverse.php?cong=112&type=s
Staffers in DC are a worse nest of snakes than congress themselves. John Conyers offered a glimpse of how things work in DC when he said “We don’t have time to read bills or understand them).
Laws in America are written by unelected staffers.
Jennifer Esposito, Staff director Railroads committee. Former employer, AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Dept
Teamsters Union.
Neil Fried, Chief Counsel Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection committee. Former employers, Motion Picture Assn of America Paul, Hastings et al Verner, Liipfert et al.
Molly A Wilkinson, General Counsel Governmental Affairs committee. Former employers, American Bankers Assoc Regions Financial
US Cmte for Refugees & Immigrants.
There are thousands more in DC.
Lobbyists are the fuel for corrupt politicians.
House of Cards is a very tame representation of corruption and perversion in Washington.
Get rid of the IRS and 16th amendment and you will get rid of much of the need for lobbyists.
What’s Chris Dodd up to these days?
I’ve seen the “retired” Barney Frank turn up in the audience at some of the hearings in DC.
Simple solution: Any federal employee is not allowed to work in any capacity that lobbies for legislation, influences public opinion, or is employed in a consultancy capacity by ANY federal agency or department for 20 years. No more revolving door to lobbyist riches and PR influence. You can work as a building security guard for minimum wage, though.
probably laying on a beach with Charlie Rangel
No, we could only wish
“In February 2011, despite “repeatedly and categorically insisting that he would not work as a lobbyist,”[21][22] Dodd replaced Dan Glickman as chairman and chief lobbyist for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Dodd#Motion_Picture_Association_of_America
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