How to get rid of lobbyists
by Tom Buchanan
January 25, 2006

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness… Section 8., Clause 1: states that The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

So with that thought of equality in mind let's move to rid Washington of all lobbyists. This could be done by adopting some simple rules of legislation in Congress.

Do not pass any law that does not affect every American with the same equality whether the change will be positive or negative.

Some citizens of the United States are getting paid not to do things such as grow wheat or corn, or getting paid not to raise pigs. Some medical schools are getting paid not to train doctors. I do not grow crops or raise pigs. Where is my money? Just think how truly progressive the country would be if we paid people not to other things. Why we could pay thieves not to steal. That would surely prevent a lot of crime and reduce our jail population.

Government should not be in the charity business. It is sad that so many people lost everything when hurricane Katrina reared her ugly head. In the aftermath they want to rebuild in the same area. What in the heck are they thinking? What the heck is the government thinking by giving them money to do it? Where is my money? More importantly where is the authorization in the Constitution?

Handicapped parking is another issue, although at the moment a State issue. What the government has done is great a special privilege for some. Oh, I know this sounds heartless and cruel, but many people go to their doctor and complain of just about anything that will get them a special parking permit. What I resent most are people due to their own lifestyles are given a permit, almost a reward. This includes those who have smoked all of their life and now must carry an oxygen tank to breathe. Also in this category are overweight people. Perhaps instead of giving them a close up parking space they should park at the back of the lot. The exercise may do them good.

If we ceased enacting laws that benefited one group of people the lobbyists would be soon out of a job. Although eligible, I do not belong to the AARP and I gave up my membership in the NRA. It may be argued that these are reputable organizations that lobby on my behalf, based on my interests. Sure there are other benefits offered by these and many other organizations, but I will not be party to any organization that wants special treatment from the government. It is hard to complain about a more powerful lobby getting special favor from the government when I belong to an organization doing the same thing. No one said that living a principled life was easy.

Just think, even the teachers union and others would not be able to lobby congress. Every lobbying organization on the right and left would be paralyzed if the could not pressure congress. The government may actually be returned to the people, where it rightfully belongs.

The road to equality will only be smooth out when all people, no matter what race, religion, creed, national origin or gender are treated the same under the law with no special treatment from the government.

So if Congress would just ask a simple question before enacting a law America would be a much nicer place, government would be much smaller and the job pressure of those elected to congress would be greatly eased. Just ask yourself, “Does this affect every citizen equally?”

Of course the power of the individual member of congress would be threatened and that, in the final analysis is the crux of the whole matter.

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