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Highlands Today

Dumping Congress For Lobbying Is Big Business

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By None Selected

Published: November 28, 2007

A lot of people claim members of Congress get rich while serving their constituents. That's not true at all. But those who need the money can get rich, after they leave office. That's enough to leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth.

Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., announced he is stepping down in two weeks. Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert also has resigned. Was it years of hard work that sparked these resignations? No, it was to beat a regulation that would require elected officials to wait two years after leaving office before becoming lobbyists. By leaving in two weeks, Lott only has to wait a year.

Lobbying is huge business for former members of Congress, especially those who have been around a long time. Someone with Lott, who more than knows where all the bodies are buried, would be invaluable as a lobbyist. He can get access to many members of Congress that other lobbyists can only dream about.

This isn't some new phenomenom. Members of Congress becoming lobbyists has a long tradition. Remember Sen. Bob Packwood, R-Ore., who liked to jam his tongue down female staff members' throats? He left office disgraced, but he's made a fortune as a lobbyist ever since. And this practice goes back long before even this. No one will deny, however, that it's bigger than ever and even more lucrative.

Congress acted on extending the period of time necessary before lobbying can begin for a former senator or representative. That's good news, but two years is hardly a waiting period. Five years should be the minimum.

Truth is, though, that most of us would do the same thing if we were in their shoes. The amount of money they make as a lobbyist is many times more than they make on meager Congressional salaries.

Some folks think members of Congress make too much, but $162,000 per year isn't much if you consider the cost of maintaining a home in pricey Washington, D.C., as well as maintaining a residence in your home state, which is required. But once outside of office, the home state residence goes away and wages skyrocket as a lobbyist.

Beating this deadline shows a lot of us where Lott and others' loyalties really lie. It shouldn't surprise us though. Politics is all about influence and power. And the payoff will come sooner or later.

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