Unlimited gift-giving is legalized bribery
The argument that I’ve heard and seen repeatedly against passage of a ban on expensive gifts from lobbyists comes down to this:
“If we try to limit lobbyist gifts, they’ll just go underground and keep doing it anyway. The best thing we can do is simply require them to report the gifts and leave it up to voters to decide whether the gift-taking is excessive.”
It’s a curious argument, especially coming from people who assure us that our elected representatives here in Georgia are generally good, ethical people. Boiled to its cynical essence, the argument tells us that our elected representatives are so addicted to free trips, meals, golf junkets and sports tickets that they’ll accept them even if it means breaking the law.
So rather than make them outlaws, we should allow the practice to continue?
Maybe you find that line of argument reassuring. I don’t. But if you want to find an expert on the subject, I suggest that you listen to Jack Abramoff, who was one of the most powerful lobbyists in Washington until his excesses landed him in federal prison, and is now describing how things worked.
“I think that people are under the impression that the corruption only involves somebody handing over a check and getting a favor,” Abramoff has said in media interviews. “And that’s not the case. The corruption — the bribery call it, because ultimately that’s what it is. … I’m talking about giving a gift to somebody who makes a decision on behalf of the public. At the end of the day that’s really what bribery is. But it’s done every day.”
Take, for example, the sad case of state Rep. Kip Smith, the Republican from Columbus who was arrested last week on drunk driving charges after leaving a Buckhead restaurant. According to lobbyist disclosure forms, Smith had been “entertained” by lobbyists on at least four of the previous five evenings, and I’d be willing to bet that the conversations at those late-night dinners did not delve deeply into legislative minutiae. In fact, as the story linked above documents, Smith has accepted almost $10,000 in lobbyist gifts since arriving in the Legislature two years ago.
Abramoff got in trouble for, among other things, taking congressmen and staff on an all-expense-paid golf outing to Scotland. He also showered Congress with tickets to sporting events, meals and other gifts — or bribes, to use his term.
“Most congressmen don’t feel they’re being bought,” he said. “Most congressmen can in their own mind justify — rationalize — the system. And by the way, we wanted, as lobbyists, to have them feel that way.”
But here’s the thing: The behavior that turned into a major scandal in Washington is perfectly legal and seemingly acceptable here in Georgia. There is no real difference between the Scotland golfing junket that Abramoff arranged and the lobbyist-funded European vacation for House Speaker David Ralston and his family, except for the fact that one was considered illegal and unethical and another is considered perfectly fine.
As Abramoff puts it, “the great tragedy in American politics is what is legal, not what is illegal.” If you want that to change, you have to speak up.
– Jay Bookman
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
340 comments Add your comment
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
January 20th, 2012
1:17 pm
Well, I was going to stay quiet the rest of the day but my hackles got raised. So I’ll just out and say it. When I see the name “dawg” in a blogger name you can just about bet the guy’s
1. dumb and stubborn as a fence post and/or
2. never been near a colledge campus except at a football game.
That’s all I got to say. I hope somebody plays some good country music tonight. Have a good weekend everybody.
Joe Hussein Mama
January 20th, 2012
1:23 pm
Peadawg — “Sure thing. Your argument about her choice being taken away is moot.”
You pretty clearly don’t understand what “moot” means.
At any rate, so long as people like you insist on making what should be a personal choice )with no interference from the government) into a crime, I shall continue to push back against you.
Have a nice day!
JB
January 20th, 2012
1:26 pm
Obama will have close to a billion dollar war chest to run for reelection, they say, but most of his supporters are on entitlements. Who is funding this guy with that kind of money to continue the “slide” under his “rule”?
Adam
January 20th, 2012
1:28 pm
JB: but most of his supporters are on entitlements
Don’t suppose you have any facts to back that up, do you?
…..that’s what I thought.
Joe Hussein Mama
January 20th, 2012
1:29 pm
JB — “but most of his supporters are on entitlements.”
We’re not the ones begging for government to hand us private school tuition, homes.
JB
January 20th, 2012
1:29 pm
Hell Adam, I’m breathing and listening.
Peadawg
January 20th, 2012
1:29 pm
“At any rate, so long as people like you insist on making what should be a personal choice )with no interference from the government) into a crime”
Again, personal choices are outlawed everyday. Pushing back? Hardly. Get a new argument.
JB
January 20th, 2012
1:30 pm
Joe…spending 15K per kid in DC to turn out kids that can’t read.
Adam
January 20th, 2012
1:30 pm
JB: I’m breathing and listening.
I suppose that’s your “my personal experience trumps statistics” argument. You are incorrect. Most of Obama’s supporters are NOT on entitlements.
JB
January 20th, 2012
1:32 pm
How do YOU know Adam. other than.( I’m a liberal so I must be right)
Joe Hussein Mama
January 20th, 2012
1:33 pm
Peadawg — “Again, personal choices are outlawed everyday.”
If you can come up with a compelling state interest in making medical decisions for people, I’m all ears. Short of that, shove off.
“Pushing back? Hardly.”
Totally. And my side’s on top.
“Get a new argument.”
No need; the one I’m using has clearly been a winner for the last 40 years.
Adam
January 20th, 2012
1:34 pm
JB: How do YOU know Adam
Show me your statistics and I’ll show you mine. Put up or shut up.
Joe Hussein Mama
January 20th, 2012
1:34 pm
JB — “Joe…spending 15K per kid in DC to turn out kids that can’t read.”
Every reason to not give away private school tuition, then. Besides, we all know how much y’all hate ENTITLEMENTS.
JB
January 20th, 2012
1:35 pm
They pay no taxes and Vote their living…That’s about 47%……. Who you think they are gonna vote for….Newt?
Adam
January 20th, 2012
1:35 pm
Herman Cain and Stephen Colbert are joining forces? WTF?
Adam
January 20th, 2012
1:37 pm
JB: They pay no taxes and Vote their living…That’s about 47%
Actually the number is 45% now, and it only applies to federal income taxes. It does NOT apply to other taxes or entitlements.
JB
January 20th, 2012
1:38 pm
I’m waiting on Obama’s 234th speech about creating jobs. I think it’s on MSNBC tonight.
Peadawg
January 20th, 2012
1:39 pm
“If you can come up with a compelling state interest in making medical decisions for people”
Obamacare – making you buy health insurance or pay a fine. That was too easy bro.
Adam
January 20th, 2012
1:39 pm
JB: I’m waiting on Obama’s 234th speech about creating jobs.
If you’re tired of hearing the same thing over and over, first you should complain to the Republicans, Rush, Hannity, and Fox.
JB
January 20th, 2012
1:40 pm
I’ll tell how bad this guy is…..I looked at the stage last night of the GOP debate…..And one of those clowns is gonna beat him. THAT’S how bad he is.
Peadawg
January 20th, 2012
1:41 pm
“.I looked at the stage last night of the GOP debate…..And one of those clowns is gonna beat him.”
Adam
January 20th, 2012
1:42 pm
JB: one of those clowns is gonna beat him.
Putting JB on the list for a plush Reagan doll to cry in the corner with when Obama wins.
JB
January 20th, 2012
1:42 pm
Adam…….Rush and Hannity are entertainers. Fox is a news outlet. Republicans are not in charge, certainly not Obama’s first two years. He had it all………………And did nothing but muck it up.
Erwin's cat
January 20th, 2012
1:44 pm
Where are the jobs Mr Boehner?
………………What’s that?
Adam
January 20th, 2012
1:47 pm
JB: He had it all…
This part is incorrect. And also completely avoids the point. If you are tired of hearing the same thing over and over, you should get the ones who started that mess to stop it.
(ir)Rational
January 20th, 2012
1:49 pm
Adam – What part of the idea that the democrats controlled the House, Senate and White House in the 2009 and 2010 is incorrect?
Brosephus
January 20th, 2012
1:54 pm
Adam, JHM and Bro – Did y’all notice, according to Dawg ‘88, I’m a liberal now. Guess y’all are rubbing off a little too much.
You’ll have to do as Paul and a few others do. You will just have to get you a calendar to remind you what days you are conservative and what days you are liberal. Without that calendar, you will be lost.
Brosephus
January 20th, 2012
1:56 pm
“Life can be a challenge, life can seem impossible, it’s never easy when there is so much on the line. But you and I can make a difference.”
–Thomas Jefferson
JB
January 20th, 2012
1:56 pm
I mailed Obama 10 suggestions to create jobs, and none involved cutting taxes. Crickets. They all did involve pro business ideas. I own a business. He had an idea of offering me a tax break on hiring people i don’t need because I have no business. Also, 5 years ago my business paid 1.5 mil in federal taxes. Lat year I paid 400K. ALL this man is worried about is getting my rate from 35 to 39.5%, which at 400K, would net the Feds 16,000.00 dollars. Why doesn’t he focus on the economy and get my tax bill back to 1.5 mil at 35%………..He ain’t to bright.
Jerry Eads
January 20th, 2012
1:58 pm
This is really pretty simple. “Representatives” who want to keep the existing no-limit system clearly are not representing voters. Matters not what side of the political fence they pretend to sit on. If you like government of the special interests, by the special interests and for the special interests, simply vote this fall for those who supported keeping the existing no-rules. It’ll guarantee – like now – you don’t have a voice.
(ir)Rational
January 20th, 2012
1:59 pm
Well crap. I’m bad at keeping calendars. I’ve got my Jeopardy calendar that I’m good with, but other than that, not that great with them.
Brosephus
January 20th, 2012
2:02 pm
(ir)Rational
You’re in big trouble then…
Grob Hahn
January 20th, 2012
2:09 pm
You could just as easily apply this argument to the “War on Drugs”. Since it has been forced into an underground black market, tracking it is nearly impossible. Law enforcement doesn’t intercept 5 to 10% of the overall drug traffic. At least in a controlled, legal market we would have substantially more accountability. No laws will ever keep some loser from trying to catch a buzz.
Grobbbbbbbbbbbbb
(ir)Rational
January 20th, 2012
2:14 pm
Bro – That’s where I typically operate.
Sumflow
January 20th, 2012
2:42 pm
You can’t know what is in someones head or why they did something. You cannot know what they knew when they did something. But if it is promptly reported. Constituents can decide for ourselves, and the vote will be unappealable.
The House bill creates new loop holes for congress, congressional investments in ETFs, options and mutual funds based on inside information aren’t covered under the House bill, nor is tipping off outside sources.
But the Senate bill S.1903 – STOCK bill ( http://goo.gl/Eh1p2 ), closes up two major leaks. There is a “duty arising from a relationship of trust and confidence,” that is owed by members of Congress to the people, and traders need to “disclose trades nearer to real time,” to substitute a philosophy of full disclosure for the current philosophy of caveat emptor.
Mary Elizabeth
January 20th, 2012
2:43 pm
captguitarman @ 1:11
“. . . this is a Georgia legislative/executive ‘cultural thing’ that has a long history, crosses party lines, and runs very deep. . . with all “addictions” the addict is in denial. . .And deny it all you want, who are they thinking about first when deciding to present or support a bill, or when they vote?. . . That’s how deep this runs. Too bad for Georgia and all Georgians.”
———————————————————————————
And it has been going on in Georgia, for decades. . going on in this state that did not blink an eye in supporting segregation, even in its churches. There needs to be a spiritual transformation in Georgia of the first order, but that change will not be found in Georgia’s institutions, including many of its churches.
It must come from a transformation in the human heart to caring about those who are without power and wealth, in a significant way. . .like, at least, trying to eradicate poverty, to improving public schools instead of trying to dismantle them, to allowing healthcare for all citizens, as in the President’s plan, to supporting Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid instead of trying to privatize these programs in order to fundamentally change their impact.
But, then, that emphasis would take a transformational change not only in the hearts of Georgia’s politicians, but also in the hearts of those who support these politicians financially, and in the hearts of those who vote for them, and for their myopic values.
Craig
January 20th, 2012
4:13 pm
Mary Elizabeth, your expansive (as opposed to “myopic”) values would be noble except for the fact that you would trample over other people’s economic liberty (a liberty no less sacred than others) to see them realized. I don’t question your sincerity. However, I’m reminded of two favorite lines from William F. Buckley -
“Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.”
“Back in the thirties we were told we must collectivize the nation because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize the nation because the people are so rich.”
Tom G
January 20th, 2012
4:46 pm
This is a test
Tom G
January 20th, 2012
4:46 pm
Thanks Jay, worked this time!
Adam
January 26th, 2012
11:37 am
(ir)Rational: Having a simple majority does not equal “he had it all.” That is what is incorrect about it.