http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/loophole_in_lobbying_bill_leaves_wiggle_room/ Online Journal of Politics and Foreign Affairs Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:19:10 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/loophole_in_lobbying_bill_leaves_wiggle_room/comment-page-1/#comment-71122 James Joyner Wed, 18 Jan 2006 19:34:23 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/13321#comment-71122 Brett: I don't think it'd cut off corruption entirely, just reduce the incentives. Willie Sutton famously said he robbed banks "because that's where the money is." The federal government, because of its massive budget, is where the money is. Brett: I don't think it'd cut off corruption entirely, just reduce the incentives. Willie Sutton famously said he robbed banks "because that's where the money is." The federal government, because of its massive budget, is where the money is.

]]> http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/loophole_in_lobbying_bill_leaves_wiggle_room/comment-page-1/#comment-71120 Brett Wed, 18 Jan 2006 19:03:06 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/13321#comment-71120 James: why would privatization of government functions ("smaller government" in fact, not just in theory) lead to less corruption? Won't there be essentially the same incentive among lobbyists: to direct regulatory pressure and outsourcing contracts to their firms' advantage? Seems to me that the small government mantra here is pretty thin on facts, given that smaller government doesn't necessarily mean less government influence. James: why would privatization of government functions ("smaller government" in fact, not just in theory) lead to less corruption? Won't there be essentially the same incentive among lobbyists: to direct regulatory pressure and outsourcing contracts to their firms' advantage? Seems to me that the small government mantra here is pretty thin on facts, given that smaller government doesn't necessarily mean less government influence.

]]>