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Should former members of Congress be able to work as lobbyists after leaving Congress?

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Yes
27% 43 votes Total: 159 votes
No
73% 116 votes

In two words: Of course! America is not in the business of telling people how they are allowed to make money... as long as it is legal.

Congressmen and women have based their entire careers on persuasion, oration, having opinions, and getting things done (some better than others). Becoming a lobbyist seems like the natural progression for an aging or retired former law-maker. And who better to fill the role? Between their working knowledge of the process and contacts within the system, former leaders possess the perfect resume for such positions. I am no constitutional scholar, but limiting a former congress person's ability to choose their profession seems to be a clear cut violation of their first amendment rights.

The way lobbying works in this country could definitely use some adjustment to weed out some of the corruption, but just because the system requires alteration does not mean that you can infringe on someone's right to freedom of speech or to lobby the government for action.

The fear of corruption is no excuse to deprive any American citizen (especially one's who served in office at that) of their right to lobby the government for change.

Learn more about this author, Pragmatic Pat.
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Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Should former members of Congress be able to work as lobbyists after leaving Congress?

Yes
  • 1 of 3

    by Pragmatic Pat

    In two words: Of course! America is not in the business of telling people how they are allowed to make money... as long as

    read more

  • 2 of 3

    by Frank Miller

    I don't think that there should be any laws telling people what they should or shouldn't be allowed to do, as long as what

    read more

No
  • 1 of 12

    by Joseph Malek

    I wonder why a former Member of Congress would become a Lobbyist after that person leaves office? Maybe whoever that person

    read more

  • 2 of 12

    by Charles Q Blair

    Let us look at the big picture - as the people who think it is OK seem to be missing some obvious points.

    First off even in

    read more

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