The Revolving Door: Lawmaker To Lobbyist

More Members Of Congress Are Making Career Changes - And Taking Their War Chest With Them

(CBS)  He did everything from lead the Senate to sing in a group called the Vocal Majority.

Then last fall, after 35 years in Congress, Trent Lott, R-Miss., made a surprise announcement: he was quitting, CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports.

"Trish and I have decided it's time for us to do something else," Lott said on Nov. 26, 2007.

"Something else" turned out to be lobbying.

Lott joined up with another former senator, John Breaux, D-La., to open their own firm in a Washington, D.C. office building. Ex-members of Congress can double their earnings as lobbyists, paid by special interests to directly influence their former colleagues.

And guess what those former members of Congress can take with them to their big lobby jobs: their leftover campaign funds, unspent money given by donors during their election.

Ethics rules prohibit spending it for personal use... but you won't believe what ex-members of Congress are allowed to do with their campaign money: donate it as lobbyists to their former colleagues.

Lott had a whopping $1.3 million left in his reelection fund when he quit the Senate and opened his lobby firm. One of the first big clients to jump aboard was Northrop Grumman, which is lobbying to keep a $35 billion air force contract for plane re-fuelers.

Lott has dipped into his campaign chest to donate money to former colleagues, who could influence the Northrop Grumman deal, including Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Roger Wicker, who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee. He's also contributed to the Senate's top Republican Mitch McConnell.

Government watchdog Sheila Krumholz says it's perfectly legal … but shouldn't be.

"Not only do they have incredible access to their former colleagues, but they can give out money to those colleagues to keep the doors open," said Krumholz.

Krumholz's group, the Center for Responsive Politics, says more lawmakers than ever are moving through that golden revolving door from Congress to lobbyist, and then using leftover campaign funds on Capitol Hill.

According to Congressional Quarterly, 195 members have crossed over to lobbying since 2005.

Is this a way of getting around election law that says they shouldn't personally benefit from the funds?

"I think it is," Krumholz said. "I think it's a distinction almost without difference."

Lott wouldn't agree to an interview but has said he's merely donating to Republicans he believes in, not trying to win favors.

Whatever the reason, with the revolving door spinning faster than ever, it means more leftover campaign funds converted and carried over into the lobby world … Washington style.

[mavtx]

WAKE UP AMERICA! Why isn%u2019t this unfair political booty front-page news? In the age of the Internet and transparency in an ordinary citizen%u2019s life, I invoke an Obama quote (that is if he originally said it), %u201CWe are the ones we%u2019ve been waiting for%u201D.

All forms of organization, regardless how democratic they start, are likely to develop into oligarchies. An oligarchy is a form of government where political power effectively resides with a small elite part of society, usually distinguished by wealth, family or military powers, (i.e.-20 years Bush-Clinton regime). Oligarchists rise to power results from immobility and passivity of the masses vs. the tendency of leaders to organize themselves and to consolidate their interests, and misguided habit of the masses believing they require experienced leaders, thus enabling our co-dependency to the technical indispensability of leadership. In I832 Noah Webster warned, "Corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded.%u201D

Americans UNITE to end America%u2019s current slippery slope into oligarchy! Let%u2019s demand incumbents change these laws, and demand the media report the hypocrisy of political double-speak and unearned public revenue bounty. Let%u2019s make sure this %u201Clobby-scam-gate%u201D is discontinued and be as illegal as it is unethical.

[excoachken]

I wish Tom Reynolds (R., NY), retiring "to spend more time with his family," and taking with him over a $1 million in "campaign donations" for a campaign that he knew he would never make, would read this. And then, suddenly, perhaps develop a conscience. But, by gosh, he has already accepted such a high paying lobbying job, in WASHINGTON! Iguess he didn''t want to be THAT close to his family.

[cfin5]

In 1832 Noah Webster wrote down these warnings: "If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes;

"Corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded.

"If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws."

"Corruption of morals is rapid enough in any country without a bounty from government. And...the Chief Magistrate of the United States should be the last man to accelerate its progress."

[cyberus-2009]

Why does this surprise anyone?

These people spend *millions* to get a job that pays a fraction of what they spent to get it.
Why spend all that money? Because after a few terms you get a pension, free medical and another high paying job.

[l8c6]

They may be singing now but their bodies will fail them and they''ll be stuck wallowing in the confines of the corrupted, perverse, immoral, unethical and evil entities they''ve willfully chosen to become.

[l8c6]

With these morally bankrupt swine it has to be in writing because right from wrong is not in their repertoire. It may be legal but it is clearly unethical and immoral to those who have these qualities intrinsically. Those donating to this devil''s campaign did it on behalf of their interests, not on behalf of global multi-million, billion and perhaps trillion dollar private capitalist ventures.

I worked with a low functioning sociopath today that has no insight into why it was wrong to embezzle from his grandmother. The U.S. government is full of high functioning sociopaths that have no sense of morality, ethics or justice.

[j-whitman]

jjarden,,,, The corruption certainly won''t stop with Bush 3, inspite of the lies he''s telling America

He want''s to reward his lobbyist Doug Goodyear with the GOP Convention --- He worked for the ruling junta in Burma as CEO of DCI Group, who lobby''s for Exxon, Mobil & others --- DCI also runs McCain''s own 527''s he says he wants ended, called Progress for America & several others.

[jjarden]

...And the Graft and Corruption Continues...Is it any wonder WHY nobody BELEIVES in Government anymore?

When are WE the People Going to RUN these Crooks OUT of Town on a Rail? When are we going to REVOLT?

[mascarponi-2009]

A BOOK YOU SHOULD READ :
Title: WHEN CORPORATIONS RULE THE WORLD
written by a respected author David Korten.

Synopsis
As last year''s World Trade Organization protests in Seattle indicate, author Korten is not alone in his concern about the harmful effects of globalization on politics, society, and the environment. He examines how economic globalization has resulted in the emergence of a new organizational form--the transnational corporation.

Annotation
In a well-reasoned, extensively researched analysis, Korten exposes the harmful effects globalization is having on all areas of life--not just economics, but also politics, society, and the environment--and outlines a grassroots strategy for getting corporations out of politics and creating a world responsive to human needs and the natural environment.



Title: WHEN CORPORATIONS RULE THE WORLD
--- by David C. Korten
Textbook Paperback - 2ND
Average Customer Rating: 5 stars
ISBN-13: 9781887208048Sales
Pub. Date: January 2001

[randynason]

Well, isn''t that the logical thing to do? -Turn from "representing" the people, to representing the people that "represent" the people. Anyway you look at it, the majority of them are a bunch of ****** with three-piece suits and a condensed mastery of politico-verbiage.

[mcvet]

We the PEOPLE need to END paid Thugs like these. If people want to talk to their representative let them do so face to face. Same is true if the Representative wants to know what the people think. It''s time to stop the Corporate Government which has consistently been against the best interest of the people.

[greatdrivew]

I still find it shocking how quickly Americans condemn corruption in other parts of the world, but then so freely allow it to take place at home.

When will Americans finally unite to shut down the greed, corruption and cronyism of D.C.?

Oh, and no other country is going to listen to us until we get our own house in order.

[veteran72]

Scumbags, Buttweasles, Toe-Tappers, and Wide-Stancers.
Nothing will change until the Ruling Elite are rounded up and hung. A large group of them will be in Crawdad, Texasss today, for the Uniting Ceremony of 2 Fascist Corporate Families.
Don Barzini and Don Corleone would be so proud....

[rachrt]

I think this is what Barack Obama is talking about in his Campaign for the Presidency, were by everything gets lost in Washington because of the lobbyist and their support in the Senate. From R.Taylor in Liverpool, England. I support Barack Obama, and I think he is a man of the people.

[mavtx]

This story disgusts me, but what is sadder is Politicians treat people like sheep and we allow it. Ex-senators and congressmen that retire should not be allowed to keep their campaign funds. How about returning the money to its donors with a thank you and it is your option to support another candidate or splurge on yourself like, (maybe you can buy a gallon of gas).

The fact the Lott and Breaux formed a joint company demonstrates that ALL members of congress are part of this farce. They get all the perts and pass laws to ensure they keep their perts (all nice and legal). They, and those like them are the scum of the earth and not worth donkey ***. Shame on Lott and Breaux and all others who screw ordinary American citizens for the own greed!

Isn''t is interesting these weasels passed a low that causes you to loose your health care''s FSA (flexible spending account) if you don''t use it by a certain time, (certainly a disincentive to many in setting aside money for deductibles and co-pay).

This country has been going to hell in a hand basket for several decades, and especially with Bush-43. From lying about WMD to cherry-pick a fake reason to go to war to loosing incriminating e-mails, the Bush Administration will be known as the worse era in America''s history.

We, the people must take our country back! We need to vote out all the scoundrels that are in office and replace them with people that understand we expect a transparent and honest government.

[ozonmojo]

Tom Dascell,the Democrat Senate Leader, has become a lobbyist after he lost his Senate seat to a Republican.He is now a great supporter of Barack Obama,the legendary slayer of all lobbyists.

[dklancke]

The bigest point is that Lott used money we gave him to promote a tanker, for our Air Force thats made in europe. This airplane cost more money, and is not as good as the one made in the US by boeing. It shows what is wrong with our leaders.

[bobnjersey]

[Ethics rules prohibit spending it for personal use... but you won''t believe what ex-members of Congress are allowed to do with their campaign money: donate it as lobbyists to their former colleagues.]

there''s rules? what a joke ... wolves making the rules about ... and taking turns guarding the hen house.

who do these people really represent ... other than themselves?

[geneonlbk]

If a butterfly prays to fly to the moon
It''s prayers are wasted.

Americans do a shy dance every two/four years to vote for "A" or "A". We live in the most propagandist nation on earth; a country where a majority of its citizens are too fat and too lazy and too poorly learned to tell the difference or even care anymore.

[obamaslady]

Congress has NO ETHICS so why they parade a facade entitled "ethics committee" before the public is ridiculous since we all know it is nothing more than a charade. The fact that they can take campaign funds to promote their lobbying business is IMMORAL AND SHOULD BE ILLEGAL and since they refuse to police themselves, perhaps we should have a PRIVATE GROUP do that policing job for them. This practice tells me I never want to donate to any campaign simply because my hard earned money could end up benefitting a DISPICABLE LOBBYIST so they can benefit even more! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I will donate to the Center for Responsive Politics so I will at least KNOW the names of worst offender crooks!