If the government is <\/i>not <\/i><\/b>irreparably broken, then how can we fix it?\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
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Priority #2:\u00a0 Restrict the money from external influence.<\/p>\n
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This priority is not intended to be vague.\u00a0 I have worded the priority as such because the money seems to be infused from 2 angles:\u00a0 during the election \u2014 and upon the elect.<\/p>\n
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Many will opine the need for restrictions during the election, as corporations, associations, and labor unions spend millions annually attempting to influence political campaigns.\u00a0 The money spent is designed to secure their desired outcome.<\/p>\n
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The money also generously flows once the elections are complete, as lobbyists and special interest groups are eroding the ethics of the elect.\u00a0 According to the Center for Responsive Politics, over $3 billion<\/i><\/b> was spent by lobbyists last year.\u00a0 Follow my somewhat playful example, creatively sharing why this is priority #2…<\/p>\n
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Let\u2019s say I\u2019m a peanut farmer.\u00a0 I love peanuts.\u00a0 I love peanuts so much, I grow them in my backyard.\u00a0 (I\u2019ve got a big backyard.)\u00a0 I start my own business and it takes off \u2014 so much so, it\u2019s hard to keep up; it becomes a massive business, and we are providing ample nutrition to many across the country. \u00a0It’s a good thing, but nuts are all I think about!<\/i><\/p>\n
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But in order to advance my cause, I need specific legislation to be enacted \u2014 or refrained from.\u00a0 Remember:\u00a0 all I\u2019m focused on is nuts.\u00a0 I need to thus ensure the Food & Drug Administration doesn\u2019t become too sensitive regarding nut nutrition.\u00a0 I need to ensure my state doesn\u2019t limit the land I till.\u00a0 I need to also ensure that no new taxes are tacked on to our cultivating equipment, so I can keep my costs low.\u00a0 In fact, I\u2019m hoping they raise the speed limit so I can deliver more peanuts more quickly.<\/i><\/p>\n
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So many decisions affect my ability to produce peanuts \u2014 economically and socially.\u00a0 I\u2019m concerned.\u00a0 Hence, I form N.U.T.S. \u2014 the \u201cNational Union for Tilling Soil\u201d \u2014 in order to mobilize more people who share my singular focus; this way we can affect political change.\u00a0 We don\u2019t care about almonds or pecans or even those high-calorie cashews.\u00a0 Our special interest is peanuts.\u00a0 Nuts it is.<\/i><\/p>\n
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Since the lobbyist laws were eased in the late \u201970\u2019s, we have more access to lawmakers.\u00a0 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. \u00a0We will speak out against their legislation regarding pickles and potatoes unless they support nuts.\u00a0 We will be wholeheartedly supportive of them, however, as long as they advance economic and social policy favorable to our cause. \u00a0Our focus is on one thing and one thing only. \u00a0Our money will back that up… millions… yes, millions… oh, nuts.<\/i><\/p>\n
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It\u2019s important to remember that the lobbyist and special interest groups are only focused on their one thing.<\/i>\u00a0 They are using their money to advance their one thing.\u00a0<\/i> Hence, their money is distorting not just elections, but also the decision-making of the elect.<\/p>\n
Hence, priority #2 is to restrict the money from external influence, by limiting lobbyists\u2019 access to the President, Congress, and aides.\u00a0 Former congressmen should also not be allowed to become lobbyists for several years after their term\u2019s end, so they cannot ask for favors from former colleagues.<\/p>\n
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Lobbyists and special interest groups attempt to persuade decision-making based on their singular focus.\u00a0 They do not have the totality of government in mind.\u00a0 They want their<\/i> issue advanced.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s 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.\u00a0 They are concerned about their one issue,<\/i> and they utilize their money to advance that issue.\u00a0 Thus, we must somehow restrict the access of lobbyists.\u00a0 We must limit the flow of money.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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Respectfully,<\/p>\n
AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If the government is not irreparably broken, then how can we fix it?\u00a0 Priority #2:\u00a0 Restrict the money from external influence. This priority is not intended to be vague.\u00a0 I have worded the priority as such because the money seems to be infused from 2 angles:\u00a0 during the election \u2014 and upon the … <\/p>\n