Good Intentions Gone Bad

A friend of mine who has done well as a lobbyist in Washington told me this story about the unintended consequences of campaign-finance reform.
 
Congress decided that the integrity our democracy is threatened by lobbyists buying meals – even a cup of coffee and a sandwich – for members.
 
So a lobbyist now can’t spend $7 for coffee at Starbucks to chat with a Senator.
 
But there’s another way.
 
The Senator, you see, has a “leadership PAC.” To which my friend’s company gave $5,000. Which enabled him to attend a recent golf outing. Counting flights, hotel, golf fees, etc., the company spent $7,000 for the lobbyist to chat with the Senator.
 
But democracy is safe from the $7 coffee chat.
 
And which can the average person afford?
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Gary Pearce

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Good Intentions Gone Bad

A friend of mine who has done well as a lobbyist in Washington told me this story about the unintended consequences of campaign-finance reform.
 
Congress decided that the integrity our democracy is threatened by lobbyists buying meals – even a cup of coffee and a sandwich – for members.
 
So a lobbyist now can’t spend $7 for coffee at Starbucks to chat with a Senator.
 
But there’s another way.
 
The Senator, you see, has a “leadership PAC.” To which my friend’s company gave $5,000. Which enabled him to attend a recent golf outing. Counting flights, hotel, golf fees, etc., the company spent $7,000 for the lobbyist to chat with the Senator.
 
But democracy is safe from the $7 coffee chat.
 
And which can the average person afford?
Posted in ,
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Gary Pearce

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