Reforming Lobbying? Well no one's mentioned THIS in their reform plans:

[cyberpj]

From Common Cause Ethics Challenge:

snip:
Prohibit registered lobbyists from acting as fundraisers and campaign treasurers for federal elected officials. According to the Center for Public Integrity, 79 Members of Congress have named lobbyists to serve as treasurers of their campaign committees. Hundreds more lobbyists have become effective fundraisers for presidential campaigns, pulling in contributions from clients or corporate political action committees. Indeed, Abramoff raised $100,000 for the Bush campaign in 2004 and was designated a Pioneer. Lobbyists raise campaign funds because they want to become indispensable to people in power, knowing that the services they perform will be rewarded by the access and influence they gain.

http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=196485

[Sammy Pepys]

1. Lobbyists and fundraising

An interesting relationship there.

Not only do lobbyists want to raise money for politicians because they want to be viewed as "indispensable", but they also want to keep the people they know and have relationships with and know their issues in power.

And members of Congress hit lobbyists up all the time because lobbyists are frankly one of the more reliable sources of campaign cash, because they can rally others to contribute to a campaign.

[cyberpj]

2. And...... it's wrong. But we will never have public funding, will we?

Because those that would have to vote it are those that have the most to lose.

Same with all 'reform' to government as it is.

sigh.......

[Sammy Pepys]

3. I doubt Congress would ever tie themselves to such restrictions n/t

....