Reform Proposals
Dick Morris has written an article on a potential set of steps to be taken on cleaning up Congress if the 110th is serious about it. I don't expect to see much of this as I find both parties to be inherently corrupt. Don't bother attacking Morris - it's too easy. If you find his proposals off the mark, let' s hear it. If you can suggest others, let' s hear it. For those not inclined to click before commenting, here is a snapshot:
1. Ban spousal and family employment by campaign committees and PACs.
2. Ban immediate family members of senators or congressmen from lobbying Congress.
3. Restore presidential power to line-item veto earmarks in appropriations bills and reverse the anti-impoundment legislation passed during the Nixon administration.
4. Require lobbyists to disclose the specific bills that they are lobbying for or against on the lobbying registration forms.
5. Ban all privately paid travel by members, including use of corporate jets.
6. Require electronic filing of all travel disclosures for private and government travel.
(I left off a seventh proposal because Hoyer already announced that the five-day Congressional work week is returning. Much to the chagrin of reporters in Washington. Hehe.)
I don't know how they can do the first part of #3. SCOTUS ended the previous effort and the line-item veto. But if they can, I'd like to see it. I particularly like 1, 2, and 4. What say you?
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Nice to know someone is thinking about it!
I'll look at these more closely in a bit. I have to go do the dinner thing.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
Dick Morris is still a blowhard
1) Great: too many elected officials funnel money to family through their "employment" with the campaign.
2) Maybe: I see the potential for abuse, but I also see where a congressman's kid could be a great lobbyist based on his own merits. Policing that line between buying influence through employing family members and a bona fide lobbyist who would be precluded from practicing his trade merely based on kinship.
3) Line item vetoes are unconstitutional based on Supreme Court.
4) Impoundment of funds by a president is unconstitutional based on Supreme Court cases, regardless of whether there are statutes against it.
5)Great. But then the taxpayers will need to pay for it.
6)I do not see how this would help, except maybe allow more disclosure (or easier searching) since it is electronic?
Anyway, some of these proposals are common sense and have been around a while (which means they will not pass) and others are unconstitutional. I think this is more sanctimonious than a serios effort at reform.
I still haven't looked closely but
#1 - I think if there is a clear job position the spouse/relative is filling that's fine, but to simply call him/her a fundraiser so you can skim some personal money off the top of contributions that will come in anyway....that's a bit much.
#6 - Not a bad idea. More transparency and hopefully faster access to data.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
Here's some suggestions.
1. Ban
spousal and family employment by campaign committees andPACs.2. Ban
immediate family members of senators or congressmen fromlobbying Congress.3.
Restore presidential power to line-item vetoEnd earmarksin appropriations bills and reverse the anti-impoundment legislation passed during the Nixon administration.4. See #2.
5. Ban all privately paid travel by members, including use of corporate jets.
6. Require electronic filing of all travel disclosures for private and government travel.
7. Shorten the campaign season to 6 months and require public financing to level the playing field.
I know that every good and excellent thing in the world stands moment by moment on the razor-edge of danger and must be fought for. ~ Thornton Wilder