Abramoff Plane Comes in for a Landing

Abramoff back in the news and an interesting history of the man in a recent Mother Jones. The article touches on (for good reason) not only the big pockets he was stuffing, but the wider implications of the relationship between lobbyists and politicians in this country. It is an issue that crosses partisan and ideological bounds, and many lobbyists themselves are willing to step over those bounds in the interest of, well, interests. Says Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington:

"I don't think Abramoff ever stood for anything. I think Abramoff just stands for greed. I think Abramoff is a terrible human being and should get anything coming his way."

What's missing from the dialogue in network news and most major publications, however, is any sort of context to the Abramoff case. He, of course, is not alone, and this is far from an isolated case involving a few isolated politicians. Though the news paints him as an exceptionally conspicuous player, he's just one who got caught. Far more troubling should be the countless other violations of lobbying laws that occur down on K Street, or perhaps even the millions of dollars spent legally by lobbying firms every day.

A comprehensive examination of lobbying in the US today can be found on at the Lobby Watch database.

--Credibility