If the government is not irreparably broken, then how can we fix it?
Priority #2: Restrict the money from external influence.
This priority is not intended to be vague. I have worded the priority as such because the money seems to be infused from 2 angles: during the election — and upon the elect.
Many will opine the need for restrictions during the election, as corporations, associations, and labor unions spend millions annually attempting to influence political campaigns. The money spent is designed to secure their desired outcome.
The money also generously flows once the elections are complete, as lobbyists and special interest groups are eroding the ethics of the elect. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, over $3 billion was spent by lobbyists last year. Follow my somewhat playful example, creatively sharing why this is priority #2…
Let’s say I’m a peanut farmer. I love peanuts. I love peanuts so much, I grow them in my backyard. (I’ve got a big backyard.) I start my own business and it takes off — so much so, it’s hard to keep up; it becomes a massive business, and we are providing ample nutrition to many across the country. It’s a good thing, but nuts are all I think about!
But in order to advance my cause, I need specific legislation to be enacted — or refrained from. Remember: all I’m focused on is nuts. I need to thus ensure the Food & Drug Administration doesn’t become too sensitive regarding nut nutrition. I need to ensure my state doesn’t limit the land I till. I need to also ensure that no new taxes are tacked on to our cultivating equipment, so I can keep my costs low. In fact, I’m hoping they raise the speed limit so I can deliver more peanuts more quickly.
So many decisions affect my ability to produce peanuts — economically and socially. I’m concerned. Hence, I form N.U.T.S. — the “National Union for Tilling Soil” — in order to mobilize more people who share my singular focus; this way we can affect political change. We don’t care about almonds or pecans or even those high-calorie cashews. Our special interest is peanuts. Nuts it is.
Since the lobbyist laws were eased in the late ’70’s, we have more access to lawmakers. I don’t mean to be mean, but I will let them know we will only contribute to their individual campaigns if they support our nuts. We will speak out against their legislation regarding pickles and potatoes unless they support nuts. We will be wholeheartedly supportive of them, however, as long as they advance economic and social policy favorable to our cause. Our focus is on one thing and one thing only. Our money will back that up… millions… yes, millions… oh, nuts.
It’s important to remember that the lobbyist and special interest groups are only focused on their one thing. They are using their money to advance their one thing. Hence, their money is distorting not just elections, but also the decision-making of the elect.
Hence, priority #2 is to restrict the money from external influence, by limiting lobbyists’ access to the President, Congress, and aides. Former congressmen should also not be allowed to become lobbyists for several years after their term’s end, so they cannot ask for favors from former colleagues.
Lobbyists and special interest groups attempt to persuade decision-making based on their singular focus. They do not have the totality of government in mind. They want their issue advanced. From the Arab lobby to the Israel lobby… from GLAAD to MADD… from the pro-lifers to the pro-choicers… even the American Peanut Council.
It’s not that the passion of any of the above is right or wrong; the problem is that they are not concerned about the totality of effective, responsible government. They are concerned about their one issue, and they utilize their money to advance that issue. Thus, we must somehow restrict the access of lobbyists. We must limit the flow of money.
If we can limit the money in both the election and upon the elect, we can begin to restore the ethics that should never be questioned in either.
Respectfully,
AR