If you care about the world, Congressional lobby and ethics reform should matter to you, because if lobby reform isn't on your list of important issues, you may want to think again; Do you care about universal health care, fair trade, energy independence and global warming?
Progress on these issues and others will be difficult unless we first break the stranglehold that corporate America has on Congress.
When corporate lobbyists in Washington, D.C., raise campaign money or help lawmakers get lucrative lobbying jobs that cash in on public service, our democracy is corrupted.
In the coming few weeks, Congress will be putting the finishing touches on a lobby reform bill. Among the critical provisions at risk, one stands out:
We must slow the revolving door between the Capitol and "K Street" lobbying firms. Former lawmakers who take well-paid lobbying jobs after leaving Congress have an "in" when they lobby former colleagues on behalf of corporate interests.
Progress on these issues and others will be difficult unless we first break the stranglehold that corporate America has on Congress.
When corporate lobbyists in Washington, D.C., raise campaign money or help lawmakers get lucrative lobbying jobs that cash in on public service, our democracy is corrupted.
In the coming few weeks, Congress will be putting the finishing touches on a lobby reform bill. Among the critical provisions at risk, one stands out:
We must slow the revolving door between the Capitol and "K Street" lobbying firms. Former lawmakers who take well-paid lobbying jobs after leaving Congress have an "in" when they lobby former colleagues on behalf of corporate interests.
On a separate track, it's time to establish an independent office to monitor compliance with lobbying and ethics rules and investigate violations by lawmakers and lobbyists. We must insist upon an Office of Public Integrity!
We are getting close to real reform. But we need your help.
Here's what you can do:
ACT NOW: Tell your members of Congress to:
* Slow the revolving door between Congress and K Street;
* Create an Office of Public Integrity now; and
* Support our work to make Congress accountable to "we the people."
* then TAKE ACTION!
ACT NOW: Tell your members of Congress to:
* Slow the revolving door between Congress and K Street;
* Create an Office of Public Integrity now; and
* Support our work to make Congress accountable to "we the people."
* then TAKE ACTION!
The laws bought by corporate lobbyists have disastrous consequences for all of us. It is time to take our government back from corporations like ExxonMobil, Enron and Halliburton.
Sincerely, www.CleanUpWashington.org
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