We all know that money talks to lawmakers and helps gets things done for those who fork over the cash to bolster congressional campaigns.
But this quote in today’s Washington Post really drove it home. It came from from a donor attending a chicken cordon bleu dinner with Sen. Max Baucus to benefit the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
“Most people there had an agenda; they wanted the ear of a senator, and they got it. Money gets you in the door. The only thing the other side can do is march around and protest outside.” – Aaron Roland, San Francisco health care activist
Ouch. Roland, by the way, paid half the $10,000 price to sit at the table with Baucus, who is spearheading the Senate health care reform effort.
Baucus is now the leading recipient of Senate campaign contributions from hospitals, insurers and other medical interest groups who want to protect their financial interests in whatever finally gets passed, the Post says.
But ordinary citizens who can’t afford to cough up ten grand or more (actually, as fundraisers go, $10,000 is pretty cheap), get left in the cold. On the outside, as Roland said.
Our own Craig Holman told the Post, “He’s doing all this fundraising right in the middle of this effort to mark up a bill. When you put these events close to matters concerning these lobbyists, clearly it’s a signal. You are expected to show up with a check.”
Can anyone say “public financing of elections”?
Dean
There is no way a legislature can be thoroughly knowledgeable on all issues he votes on. Fortunately there are good lobbyists who facilitate good laws and who are willing to sacrifice themselves by attending boring dinners with bad food for the the good of their clients. We owe them thanks and a good pat on the back and a good steak dinner!
July 21, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Joe
As long as ‘We the People’ allow lobbyist to exist, there is no Democracy. Senators and Congressmen being ‘paid-off’ to vote for the interests of a corporation instead of listening to ‘The People’ for whom he swore an oath to work for, is insane. How is that Democracy? America is in the toilet and my vote means nothing unless I attach a wad of money to it. What a joke. Anyone who believes in lobbyist is delusional and the American people would be doing themselves and this country a favor by eliminating them. This system has been broken for a long time. When will ‘The People’ stand up?
July 30, 2009 at 11:17 am
Anne
Joe, do you still believe in that democracy?
July 30, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Lazlo
I agree with Dean that people should better appreciate lobbyists. I was a lobbyist for the adult entertainment (club) industry and thus a champion of free speech and self expression. Were it not for the campaign contributions I orchestrated and the numerous dinners I hosted for elected officials at higher-end clubs, the religious zealots would have outlawed adult entertainment establishments. Boobs, food, money and orchestral skills of lobbyists made it work. Grow up people. That’s democracy.
August 2, 2009 at 9:19 am