Good morning fellow Kossacks. I do not have a lot of time this morning to make as good an attempt at this diary as I would like. Essentially, the question I want to discuss is 'How do we shut permanently the revolving door in DC from Congress or Senate to lobbyist?' I heard an idea the other day, but cannot source it. So please, join me beyond the fold and bring daylight to my muddled perception on this one.
I think I was listening to NPR a few days ago. Essentially, a reporter was on, and was talking about a recent talk he was party to online. Someone from Minnesota suggested what I believe to be an idea, VERY WELL worth looking at. So, I need some of my fellow Kossacks' help to arrive at who suggested it, whether or not it is feasible, what are the pros/cons of such an approach, who we should pitch it to in order to bring it from bill to law, and how we should go about it.
I know that is a tall order, all without giving you the benefit of knowing what I am talking about. Thanks for reading so far.
The Minnesotan, suggested that we could end the revolving door with a pen stroke. Make a law that if a Senator or a Congressperson becomes a lobbyist after their service to their country, that it is completely fine. The only thing would be that they are required by law to forgo their pension and other life-long benefits they receive as reward for having been a congressperson or senator.
In essence, it is: "No, please by all means, be a lobbyist. But your healthcare, pension and any other perk from this government is gone. Make good money at it, because your mouth is no longer accepted on the government nipple in any form beyond that of a normal, everyday citizen."
Could we enact something like this? Is it possible? What are the holes in the idea? I am looking for a good discussion on this, if you all are so inclined. And if we collectively think the idea merits further investigation, or trial ballooning into some office, I will try to do what I can.
Only my third diary, so I am likely making mistakes. But this thing has been stuck in my mental craw, and I wonder if it is not a good measure to take to discourage the pol-to-lobbyist morph that we see so often. I have not had time this morning to research this, and am somewhat search challenged when it comes to DKos, so if I am treading upon someone else's diary territory, please let me know, and I can always delete it.
Your feedback, criticism, corrections or general thoughts/observations are welcome.
Thanks in advance. Peace.