Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 27, 1995 TAG: 9511270095
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Federal lawmakers are trying to get used to the idea that this will be the last year Santa Claus can come along with his bag full of goodies: expensive wines, season's tickets for the Redskins, all-expense-paid weekends in Barbados, compact-disc players, jet skis - all those little niceties that have helped keep a depraved system clicking along for years, favor for favor.
Beginning Jan. 1, a stringent ban on lobbyists' gifts to members of the House of Representatives goes into effect.
Granted, the ban overwhelmingly approved the other day is a rule, not a law - meaning self-policing could become lax and violations could be winked away. Still, it could lead to honorable change in the culture of greed and graft in Washington, and is to be welcomed.
They finally figured it out: The public wants its representatives and their staffs to get their hog snouts out of the lobbyists' trough of perks and freebies. No more Epicurean lunches compliments of special-interest pleaders. No more corporate-sponsored golf, tennis and skiing retreats at pricey resorts. A little bit less special access and influence, perhaps, for those with dough to buy it.
The ban, considerably tougher than a limit on lobbyists' gifts passed earlier by the Senate, does make allowances for expense-paid travel by House members who give speeches at special-interest groups' conferences or otherwise have official congressional duties. But the official expenses picked up by their hosts can't include greens fees and sundry high-life creature comforts.
Doubtless, there will be hardships. But at a time when Congress is removing government benefits and demanding sacrifices from impoverished and working-class citizens, lawmakers should find their way to paying their own greens fees and lunch tabs.
Meanwhile, as much as this is a necessary step toward reducing money's corrupting power, members of Congress need to be reminded there's more to be done. In particular, they still must enact meaningful campaign-finance reform. That's high on the public's wish list this season, and the public expects Congress to deliver.
by CNB