Monday, November 26, 2007

Lott o' Sleaze

Senator Trent Lott plans to resign by end of year, a move that seems to be confusing most of the media reporters. Actually, the reason is very simple: greed.
MSNBC says this ...

While the exactly reason Lott is stepping down before he finishes his term is unknown, the general speculation is that a quick departure immunizes Lott against tougher restrictions in a new lobbying law that takes effect at the end of the year. That law would require Senators to wait two-years before entering the lucrative world of lobbying Congress.

By resigning now, Sen. Lott can go right to lobbying in a year and make a few boatloads of money. Pure sleaze and greed. Oh, I'm sure he'll say something about "family" or some other pretty excuse, but it's really about money. The lobbying reform that takes effect next year makes corruption harder for members of congress, so Lott is racing to sell out under the wire.
Republican values have a price tag. Buy a Senator now while they're on sale.
Update: Just now on NPR, Cokie Roberts (who I almost never agree with) said "he's going to work as a lobbyist" and made it sound like that's a good thing.

2 comments:

Justin said...

I think Cokie Roberts is right. Lott is no dummy, he is getting older and he knows the real cash is in lobbying. This point shows what is really wrong with politics/policy in the USA. The feds have been captured by powerful interest groups that operate in iron triangles, leg, exec, then lobbyists. They never change nor do their interests ever fail to control. Hell, Renzi, if he doesnt go to jail will probably become a Military industrial lobbyist for his daddy now that he has inside knowledge and support of legislators. Criminal activity all round. I am reading a book on this right now, its kinda dated, but excellent: William Greider "Who will Tell the People" (1992)

Gandhisxmas

pygalgia said...

Ol' "Dollar Bill" is a good writer. Read that one back in the mid 90's.