Good Intentions Gone Bad
October 27, 2010 - by
A friend of mine who has done well as a lobbyist in Washington
Congress decided that the integrity our democracy is threatened by lobbyists buying meals – even a cup of coffee and a sandwich – for members.
So a lobbyist now can’t spend $7 for coffee at Starbucks to chat with a Senator.
But there’s another way.
The Senator, you see, has a “leadership PAC. ” To which my friend’s company gave $5,000. Which enabled him to attend a recent golf outing. Counting flights, hotel, golf fees, etc., the company spent $7,000 for the lobbyist to chat with the Senator.
But democracy is safe from the $7 coffee chat.
And which can the average person afford?
Good Intentions Gone Bad
October 27, 2010/
A friend of mine who has done well as a lobbyist in Washington
Congress decided that the integrity our democracy is threatened by lobbyists buying meals – even a cup of coffee and a sandwich – for members.
So a lobbyist now can’t spend $7 for coffee at Starbucks to chat with a Senator.
But there’s another way.
The Senator, you see, has a “leadership PAC. ” To which my friend’s company gave $5,000. Which enabled him to attend a recent golf outing. Counting flights, hotel, golf fees, etc., the company spent $7,000 for the lobbyist to chat with the Senator.
But democracy is safe from the $7 coffee chat.
And which can the average person afford?