The lobbying scandal’s bottom line

Re “GOP Puts Lobbying Scandal in Bull’s-Eye,” Jan. 9

Putting Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas) in charge of the House’s lobbying reform is like putting Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) in charge of a seminar on ethics in the House.

Let’s reframe the term by calling it “elected officials breaking gift rules.” The lobbyists are going to do their jobs in getting our representatives to vote in their clients’ interests. If a lobbyist offers more than the $50 gift allowed to a member of Congress, then it is up to the elected official to know the law and turn the gift back. In 2005, Dreier’s political action committee, American Success, took $402,302 from all sorts of special interest groups, according to www.opensecrets.org. He’s hardly untarnished from the lobbying influence of corporate interests. Rush-to-reform committees just distract from the real crimes of illegal quid pro quo that allow corporations’ voices and votes over ours.

LIBBY BREEN

Altadena

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I read about how the GOP and Democrats want to straighten out their lobbyist problem. Maybe I am too simple-minded. Wouldn’t the easiest way be to pass a law or rules to prevent any government employee from accepting any lobbyist’s gifts and favors, and prohibit any lobbyist from setting foot inside the Capitol and any Senate or House building?

FRED TUCK

Los Angeles