So, what's the solution? Other than making lobby firms illegal
, we should institute term limits. Make it so those elected By the People have to return home and live by the rules they set for the rest of the country. Nothing is more motivating than self-interest. Politicians (on both sides) evade their taxes, use their political influence to buy favor or countless other offenses that would land ordinary citizens in the slammer. So, why then do these folks get a walk? Why are they told to "retire with dignity"? Because the cesspool that is Washington circles around their own like a mother lion protecting her cub. And don't be fooled by thinking it's compassion that motivates them. No, it's self-interest through and through. If you see what crawls out from underneath one rock, you might be tempted to kick over a few more. The only solution to this ever pervasive problem is to limit the time elected officials serve. The only real hurdle to getting this done is that politicians will never write the legislation, let alone pass it, unless the American people force the issue. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of politicians voting "yea" on a bill that only their staffers have read. Give them limits and make them stand by their convictions. Maybe then the lawyers at all of those high priced lobbying firms can go back to actually practicing the law.