As Dems Challenge Lobbyists' Power, D.C. Establishment Freaks Out

[donsu]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/as-dems-challenge-lobbyis_b_10744.html


Why are House Democrats' efforts to distance themselves from K Street corporate lobbyists being portrayed as a problem?

That's the question I have after reading today's Hill Newspaper story in which the political establishment disgustingly portrays House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's independence from K Street as some sort of negative trait. The story says "lobbyists are grumbling that they have not been enjoying the same access to Pelosi as they have in the past." These lobbyists are used to lawmakers "run plans past K Street early to avoid any surprises or disagreements farther down the line." That's a euphemism for Corporate America expecting the people's representatives to make sure to get Big Business's stamp of approval on every potential piece of legislation.

Pelosi, of course, should be congratulated for her independence, especially since we're living through the Republicans' "Culture of Corruption" whereby K Street essentially dictates everything that our government does. As just one example, the Washington Post notes that the House of Representatives is run by Roy Blunt (R-MO), a guy who has maximized his "influence by delegating authority to Washington business and trade association lobbyists to help negotiate deals with individual House members to produce majorities on important issues."

-snip-

The answer to my original question, of course, is clear - the reason Pelosi's independence is considered a problem in the Beltway is because those in the Beltway's political establishment have entirely different priorities than ordinary people in the rest of the country. In Washington, a lack of independence is actually valued. Pelosi actually thinking and leading on her own is considered taboo. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), who the Hill notes "has often been averse to the lobbying community" and has proposed tightening lobbying rules, is looked upon negatively. Meanwhile, people like House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) are applauded in the Beltway for "hold regular meetings with lobbyists" and publicly " to make himself the first contact for K Street," regardless of how that image undermines Democrats' ability to question the GOP's proximity to corporate lobbyists.
-snip-
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stand firm Nancy - don't let them fill your pockets with money and twist your brain

lobby = bribe

down with lobbyists

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Nancy, I have a suggestion

Write a bill that says lobbying is ok-but that lobbyists CANNOT be paid by ANYBODY. Wonder how long those bozos would be on K St.

[mattclearing]

2. Recommended. Remember, if we donate, they listen. n/t

[leveymg]

3. Every moment spent meeting lobbyists is time away from constituents

Maybe that's the rule to whip them into shape. Buy your own damn lunches, or bring a sandwich bag to work, like the rest of us.

[Jane Austin]

4. Not only is this great news, but it ought to be highlighted in our

campaigns next year.

The American people like this kind of populism and don't like lobbyists.

This is a sure winner as a campaign issue.

Recommended.




(Edited to add "Recommended")

[bvar22]

5. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), bowing to the Corporate Masters!

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

Patrick Henry rating: +20 (Range -200 to +400)




While Hoyer name (wisely) no longer appears on the current "Official" Membership Roll of the DLC, he IS featured prominently on their website, and as recent as 2003 WAS the "New Dem (DLC) of the Week". The DLC heartily endorses his Anti-Labor position on Economic Issues!

DLC | New Dem Of The Week | January 13, 2003
New Dem of the Week: Steny Hoyer
http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=251151&kaid=106&subid=122

Who can forget Hoyer's telling & obscene 2003 vote supporting the Credit Card Companies?

Ya think this guy LIKES Corporate Money buying votes in Congress?




The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM
for those who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners)
at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[RazzleDazzle]

6. And we have him to thank for HAVA, too, that

wonderful scam of a bill that put federal money in the pockets of all the voting machine companies so they could save us from the problem of hanging chads.

I'll take the hanging chads back, please.

[Elidor]

7. What is a Patrick Henry rating?

This sounds interesting.

[bvar22]

9. It is a website (club) that tracks voting.

http://patrickhenrythinktank.org/index.html

There are some legitimate complaints (mostly from DINOS) that there is Liberal bias. PH records votes on import amt issues, and awards (or takes away) points based on these votes. I like it, because I almost always agree with their assessment of our Representatives.

The following House member has a perfect voting record (+440):
Dennis Kucinich

The following members have near-perfect voting records:

Cynthia McKinney, Maxine Waters...+420


Lynn Woolsey...+400


Maurice Hinchey....+382.5


Jim McDermott, Jan Schakowsky...+365

+360
John Conyers, Raul Grijalva, Major Owens

as opposed to the bottom feeder Dems, who rate:

SALAZAR -100

SKELTON -252.5

MARSHALL -240

It also lists and explains the important issues, and how Congresscritter each voted.http://patrickhenrythinktank.org/house-score6.html

They also track the Senate (Repubs AND Dems):

Boxer (D-CA)+130

Kennedy (D-MA) +110

Kerry (D-MA)+75

Dayton (D-MN) +112.5

Clinton (D-NY)+32.5

Lieberman (D-Ct)-235

Nelson (D-NE) -350

McConnell (R-KY) -390

http://patrickhenrythinktank.org/sen-score5.html

Check it out. It can be a little confusing at first, but there is lots of good stuff there.
I would NEVER base my vote entirely on the PatH ratings, but it is the fist place I check for an overview.

[Elidor]

10. Thanks for the link!

The info is very interesting, but they need some serious navigational structure on that site.

Do they keep archives of their House & Senate ratings? Those sections are great. A lot of gems in there.

[NashVegas]

8. "A Friend in Need Is a Friend, Indeed"

I used to be so naive I thought that saying was representative of an altruistic principle.

It's time to make the lobbyists need us.