FRN NEWSLETTER

1359 Chandler Ave., Lincoln Park, MI. USA,48146-2009

Office: 313.294.0579, Blackberry: 734.775.2267, E-mail: chrisdardzinski@yahoo.com

WE invite ALL to visit our website: www.freewebs.com/frnnewsletter/

Contact: Christopher J. Dardzinski, Publisher & Political Consultant

“If you are reading this, then you are the movement”

07.12.2009

“Words from the Several States” The Movement part 008

Oooouch! My editor Scott just poked me with that big fat political finger of his, reminding me I was supposed to do a writing on Lobbyists.

Specifically, my ideas for stopping their near un-stoppable influence on Government.

I can think of many “ways” to stop lobbyists, most of them fall under the category of “cruel and unusual.”

A single cell Ameba, one of the simplest protozoa in nature. The lowest form of life.

I would classify lobbyists as a single cell protozoa, but then I realize that protozoas are a key building block for all of life and therefore they have value in this world.

Lobbyists add zero value to life, in fact they are a negative factor on all of humanity.

So, for the sake of this movement writing, we will refer to lobbyists as their own unique category.

If any Amebas or protozoas have been offended during this opening segment, the entire staff of FRN Newsletter begs their forgiveness as no harm was intended.

How we stop lobbyists:

1. We vote for public officials who vow not to accept lobbyist and special interest money. This is the easiest and most direct way to stop their influence. If it sounds over simplified, thats because I am relying on a plurality vote for such matters. I think we can make it happen.

2. Cut Congressional staff. The reason there is so much political access for lobbyists is the huge support staff to handle all the meetings and all the lobbyist money. The less staff members have, the less influence to special interest and more time serving the Constitution. Cut staff by 70%. That would still leave each member of Congress a staff of 10 to 15, and a general Congressional staff of 5,000. Current Capital Hill staff numbers over 33,000. That is an entire city of staff folks.

3. We cannot pass laws to limit how much lobbyists and special interest groups give to elected officials. You can regulate the edges, but nothing more. To that end, I would suggest all lobbyists, PACs and special interest groups must register every payment to public officials on a national website. The contributions must be registered before it is given to the office holder, 14 days in advance. I think this would help a lot with spot lighting the amount of foreign money and groups “contribute” to our elected leaders.

4. I would like to see the $2300 personal contribution cap lifted. This will benefit the wealthy of course, but it is also a limitation on individuals across the board. It is also a violation of the 14 amendment. This may have only a window dressing improvement on the lobbyist problem, but it will level the financial playing field. I suspect this will not be very popular.

5. Another rather technical idea, is to eliminate the very biased and very political Federal Elections Commission and replace it with a 12 member citizens board. The federal election laws in this nation benefit the two major parties and everybody knows it, but we never actually do anything about it. 12 regular citizens will see that problem solved. On of the best ways to stop the influence of lobbyists is to have far more political parties get membership elected at all levels of government.

6. Increase the salaries of state and federal public office holders. I know how unpopular this is. I can't believe I even bring it up, but if you want to stop the scum that are lobbyists, you have to think out of the box. If we paid members of Congress $2 million a year, then the federal budget only goes up $1 Billion. Very small price to pay for helping to eliminate the lobbyisrts scourge on federal government.

My first suggestion really is the only full proof method, though I think all six makes a more realistic approach.

For now, lets start a new round of calls and e-mails to all State and federal officials, that no incumbents will receive our vote, if they continue to take lobbyist money. Citizens must once again show and prove to our office holders that we hold the power, not lobbyists.

If you are reading this, then you are the movement.