Obama Tightens Ethics, Lobbying Rules, Freezes Pay of Staff

[girl gone mad]

In a step in the right direction Obama Tightens Ethics, Lobbying Rules, Freezes Pay of Staff.

President Barack Obama said he’s freezing the pay of senior White House staff and imposing new restrictions on interactions between administration officials and lobbyists.

Obama also said he would issue an order that makes it easier for the public to get government documents.

“We are here as public servants, and public service is a privilege,” Obama said, addressing his White House staff and Cabinet on his first full day in office. “It’s not about advancing yourself or your corporate clients.”

The president said that when top White House aides leave government, they are barred from lobbying “for as long as I am president, and there will be a ban on gifts by lobbyists to anyone serving in the administration.”

Regarding the pay freeze, Obama said he is acting because “families are tightening their belts and so should Washington.”

http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/

[babylonsister]

1. I betcha r/w heads like rush and hannity are exploding today.

It's going to be a long 8 years. :D

[denverbill]

2. Wow.

The president said that when top White House aides leave government, they are barred from lobbying “for as long as I am president, and there will be a ban on gifts by lobbyists to anyone serving in the administration.”

--
That's pretty tough. This should be made a law for all future administrations too, not just an executive order for this one.

I hope everyone who signs on with him abides by it. It would be nice to know public servants are there to serve the public good, not to try to position themselves for lucrative post-service careers.

[aquart]

3. Yes, but does he still have his blackberry?