Reform losing steam


Democrats are breaking promises to reform
A classic example of why it is hard to be "part of the system" and a reformer at the same time.

House Democrats are suddenly balking at the tough lobbying reforms they touted to voters last fall as a reason for putting them in charge of Congress.

Now that they are running things, many Democrats want to keep the big campaign donations and lavish parties that lobbyists put together for them. They're also having second thoughts about having to wait an extra year before they can become high-paid lobbyists themselves should they retire or be defeated at the polls.

The growing resistance to several proposed reforms now threatens passage of a bill that once seemed on track to fulfill Democrats' campaign promise of cleaner fundraising and lobbying practices.

"The longer we wait, the weaker the bill seems to get," said Craig Holman of Public Citizen, which has pushed for the changes. "The sense of urgency is fading," he said, in part because scandals such as those involving disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former Rep. Duke Cunningham, R-Calif., have given way to other news.

Don't count on the entrenched power structure to reform itself. Government is reactive, not proactive. Politicos will respond to the loudest voices which may not be yours.

Government is not your friend.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Sat - May 12, 2007 at 03:31 PM  Tag


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