[marketcorrection] Andrew Morriss: Lobbying Scandal

[Email subscription to blog articles]

Posted by Andrew Morriss:
Lobbying Scandal
http://marketcorrection.powerblogs.com/posts/1159987598.shtml


   To the Wall Street Journal, 5/19/2006
   Sirs,
   Westar Energy, Inc. got burned by its attempt to buy âa place at the
   tableâ in Washington, an outrageous tale of what appear to be thinly
   concealed bribes to various House members in return for valuable
   favors. (âCaught in a lobbying scandal, one firm quits influence
   game,â May 19). The company looks to get burned again, however, by
   California Democrat Rep. Pete Stark, who âgrinsâ as he notes that
   âpeople like me want to get even some dayâ with Westar for its
   contributions to Republicans. Since Stark isnât taking Westarâs money,
   his retaliation against the company wonât violate any campaign finance
   laws. Fines and prison terms for Westarâs former president and some of
   those who took the companyâs money will teach the next special
   interest heading for Washington to be a bit more careful in how it
   spreads its cash. But the question for the rest of us is how weâll be
   protected from petty tyrants like Rep. Stark, who threatens Westarâs
   shareholders with punitive action because he didnât like the corporate
   officersâ politics. Only when Congress is once again confined to the
   limited powers granted it by the Constitution will Americans be free
   from such threats to our liberty and our property.
   Andrew P. Morriss