Accomplishments of President Obama

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

But yet the lobbyists are merely not registering and still doing the same thing without the constraints that Obama and his henchmen put on them. So what has changed?

So how does that make a difference when they merely deregister as a lobbyist?

Sure..they can de-register as a lobbyist..and give up their livelihood and income...for a non-paying position on an advisory committee.

This is a "good government" program by any measure.

Will it prevent influence peddling? Certainly not.

Does it provide more transparency and less influence peddling. Absolutely...by a wide margin over previous administrations, D or R.

[sugarpop]

Originally Posted by Redux

Re: Number 10:limits on lobbyist's access to the White House.

One of the most sweeping changes is not just limiting lobbyists' access to the White House...but limiting the influence of lobbyists throughout the Executive Branch by barring them from serving on advisory committees that provide guidance on drafting and/or reviewing regulations.

It received little notice at the time of its publication last summer, but K street has been in a frenzy in the last few months as it is put into place.



It is influencing regulations, as much as or more than influencing legislation, through which industry lobbyists can be most self-serving.

Well, lobbyists have been out full force since he was elected. They may not have a lot of acces to the WH, but they have major access to Congress, not to mention how much access Wall Street has to Geitner. Lobbyists pretty much WROTE the Senate health care 'reform' bill. And now, with the SC decision about corporations, we can expect things to get much, much worse. (because corporate America pretty much runs everything anyway)

[tw]

Originally Posted by sugarpop

(because corporate America pretty much runs everything anyway)

Only when we let them. Not all corporate America is a problem. That would be like saying "Japanese cars verses American cars". An argument that completely ignores the problem. A subjective summary that will only decieve.

Many parts of corporate America are operating in America's interest. Did you see the long list of American companies that resigned or openly subverted their support for the Chamber of Commerce when that organization sided with the corrupt rather than for the long term objectives of America? The list included Nike, Coke, some computer manufacturers, etc.

A biggest problem in America is companies who believe their purpose is profits. Same reasoning justifies the mafia. Therefore GM cars have been so anti-American for 25 years. AIG so perverted the American economy that we had no choice but to bail them out. Goldman Sachs pays so many bonuses to finance people that could easily buy three Eisenhower, Carl Vincent, et al sized aircraft carriers. But then Goldman Sachs is not about what made America great - its products and innovations.

Goldman Sachs, et al is about leeching blood from the American public because finance people are more important than those who made America great. And so, for the first time in almost 100 years, America has seen no growth in ten years. Only some parts (too many) of the American economy work to subvert America for their own benefit.

If those employees are so good, then why are they wasting time and money on Wall Street? Why are they not out doing things that make America great? They forget to mention that when they claim they deserve seven, eight, nine, and ten digit incomes. This problem is not from all of corporate America.

And yes, by protecting so many corrupt companies, some bought and paid for politicians even hope that Obama fails. They just stopped saying it publically.

[TheMercenary]

They have only given up their name and registration. Nothing else seems to have changed.

more transparency

[Clodfobble]

Isn't that like saying all a doctor has to do to get around FDA regulations is give up his medical license, and then he can practice all he wants? If you give up your registration, you may not work as a lobbyist to begin with.

[TheMercenary]

It is done through other ways of contact.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/18/us...s/18lobby.html

Or from my personal experience as a lobbyist at one time, maybe its one of the those programs that is not perfect, but good.
(remember Voltaire )

But I suspect nothing will satisfy some.

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by Redux

Or from my personal experience as a lobbyist at one time, maybe its one of the those programs that is not perfect, but good.
(remember Voltaire )

But I suspect nothing will satisfy some.

Might as well tell him to Remember the Alamo or Remember the Titans...dude doesn't listen anyway!

[TheMercenary]

DeRegistered Lobbyists Start New Firm

Warning Redux! Partisan Source!

[quote]Citing what its founders call a "volatile climate for lobbyists," K Street Research opened shop today in hopes of helping clients with policy and research needs while lowering their lobbying disclosure numbers.

According Brien Bonneville,(pictured at right) the new firm's vice president, lobbying disclosure totals are often inflated because it's hard for lobbying firms to distinguish how much of their fees go to lobbying and how much go to other consulting services, such as policy advice and research. Bonneville and Larry Mitchell, (pictured below) the firm's president and chief operating officer, decided to depart their lobbying posts at KSCW to create a non-lobby shop just for those functions.

"We don't have to wear the 'Scarlet L' anymore," Bonneville said. "A number of corporations have needs outside of lobbying and we wanted to exploit that."

Bonneville said his main gripe with last year's new lobbying rules is that lobbyists cannot serve in the administration. After arriving in Washington two and a half years ago hoping to make a career out of lobbying, "now I can't say it's a career path I want to go down," he said. "It just sparked my mind into thinking of new avenues for my skill set and how to serve companies that don't want to be deemed evil."

continues:
http://undertheinfluence.nationaljou...ts-start-n.php

*shrug*

As I said, nothing will satisfy you.

Thats ok!

Have a great day.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Redux

*shrug*

As I said, nothing will satisfy you.

Facts are facts, no matter how much you want to prevent the transparent observation of them.

I am actually quite satisfied that the Demoncrats no longer hold a majority in the Senate. I would have been more satisfied if the winner was an Independent or Libertarian and not a Republickin.

[sugarpop]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Facts are facts, no matter how much you want to prevent the transparent observation of them.

I am actually quite satisfied that the Demoncrats no longer hold a majority in the Senate. I would have been more satisfied if the winner was an Independent or Libertarian and not a Republickin.

What do you mean they no longer have a majority? They still have 59 or something.

My problem with dems is that they are so stupid they really messed up a good chance for major reform - of health care, of banking, of wall street... But noooo.

I hope like hell more independents and 3rd party candidates get elected. The time is ripe, and I am FED UP with republicans just saying NO to almost everything, and democrats caving in to corporate interests, especially in the Senate. I think almost ALL incumbets should be kicked to the curb.

[TheMercenary]

Obama lobbying rules having unintended effects

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's new special interest rules are having unexpected consequences with some lobbyists giving up their formal registrations and finding other ways to influence policy as they try to maintain access to key agencies or hope for future government jobs.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE58C1MK20090913

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Obama lobbying rules having unintended effects

People always have, and always will, try to influence policy and legislation. Sometimes because it's for what they believe is the better good, most often for their own (or clients) gain.

At least Obama is trying to do something about the most blatant of these scumbags. If he kills 90% of the rats, try to come up with something more constructive than carping about the 10% that got away.

[TheMercenary]

Listen to Redux?!?

I could just read the latest White House or Demoncratic talking points and get the same information.