Why Democrats and Lobbying Reform Is A Bad Idea

Sean-Paul Kelley | San Antonio | January 18

The Agonist - In early January I explicitly stated that Congressional Democrats getting into a debate with Republicans was a loser on several counts. I said:

The most important thing to do is enforce the laws we already have on the books. Why more reform? Why more government? Why not win back Congress on this issue and conduct some much needed oversight instead of giving Republicans another chance to call us 'big-government liberals' who just want to regualte everything. For once can we take a winning page from the Republican playbook? Pretty please?

Today's WaPo gives us another great reason why we should never get involved in negotiation reform packages with Republicans. Their package is so outrageous as to be a joke. But that's the point. Now they might be able to neutralize the issue with Democrats, the same way they did Homeland Security in 2002. The stage is now set for them to call Congressional Democrats hypocrites on the issue because the Democrats won't support a plan that is narrowly passed through the House and Senate.

Why the Democrats won't take a page out of the Republican playbook is beyond me. Keep it simple: let's enforce existing laws first. Why make the government bigger, with more rules?

Update: Bob Fertik says forget reform, remember revolution.

Sean-Paul Kelley January 18, 2006 - 7:30pm

printer friendly version |