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Re:Many believe it's time to do away with lawmakers making s... by _wldu on Friday September 24, 2021 @10:15AM (#28642684)
We should also do away with the steak dinners, golf trips and other 'perks' that lobbyists/vendors give them in exchange for votes.
Re:Many believe it's time to do away with lawmakers making s... by andrewla on Friday September 24, 2021 @10:35AM (#28642995)
You are under the impression, I think, that this is something that happens. It does not -- this is already illegal (all the things you mentioned) and against ethics rules in both houses.

Lobbyists, for the most part, wield power not because of the money they give to politicians, but because of the votes that they implicitly command from the constituents on behalf of whom they are operating. They also command considerable power because they have research organizations that are better funded than congressional staff allocations for doing things like authoring bills.

Way more fishy is the revolving door when politicians leave office; that is done openly and without shame. Somewhat fishy are implicit bribes (like buying 1000s of copies of a politician's book), and sometimes preferential terms on loans, or employing family members (or buying their art for ridiculous prices).

But lobbyists and vendors are already very tightly locked down -- the things you are talking about simply do not exist; politicians and special interest groups have found better ways of buying votes.

Re:Many believe it's time to do away with lawmakers making s... by koheripbal on Friday September 24, 2021 @10:27AM (#28642890)
So meetings can not take place over a meal? ...or are you specifically saying they can only order certain dishes?

Maybe we should force all meetings with politicians to take place on the floor of a mcdonalds. No chairs - that would be too fancy.

Re:Many believe it's time to do away with lawmakers making s... by Kranar on Friday September 24, 2021 @10:57AM (#28643325)
It's already illegal for lobbyists to pay for dinners or meals of any kind, including at a McDonald's.
Re:Many believe it's time to do away with lawmakers making s... by intrepidhero on Friday September 24, 2021 @10:35AM (#28642996)
Rank and file civil servants have very strict rules around what they can and cannot accept from a vendor. Same for investing actually, the rules around who can in invest in what depend on their decision making responsibilities. I'm baffled why we don't hold elected officials to the same standards.
Re:Many believe it's time to do away with lawmakers making s... by cameronhowe on Friday September 24, 2021 @10:56AM (#28643303)
Of courses they can, you just have to pay for your own meal.

What are you trying to achieve with your sarcasm?

If you have a job you can probably have a look at your ethics or anti corruption guidelines for a good idea of what is appropriate.

Re:Many believe it's time to do away with lawmakers making s... by _wldu on Friday September 24, 2021 @10:29AM (#28642917)
Right. And no 'working' conferences on tropical island resorts with 5,000 dollar per night rooms.
Re:Many believe it's time to do away with lawmakers making s... by 34679 on Friday September 24, 2021 @10:32AM (#28642951)
Have you never split a check before?