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Full disclosure of lawmakers, staff and executive branch officials with everyone they meet? That would be a better idea. To lobby your representatives for the "COMMON" good is far to relative a term. Public interest has long ago left the true definition and been replaced by Special interest. Example you may ask? Example you shall get.

John Q. Public comes to D.C. to ask his Senator for a tariff on import widgets that are far cheaper than his company or groups widgets. He makes a good argument that this would benefit the public interest by keeping American widgets competitive and American workers, working. Sally Ann Public is on the same plane to D.C. to have a discussion with her District Representative about not imposing tariffs on import widgets because it would benefit buyers by keeping prices low. Who gets the nod? Assuming they both represent a large portion of the public, are they not doing the public good? I say they are harming the overall good. But it is not the lobbying that is the problem. It is the tariff or the subsidy that creates "PROTECTIONISM" that is the problem.

Toss out ALL tariffs. Repeal all subsidies. Do away forever with the term "The common good" or "public interest". No more protection from free trade or political favors of any kind.

Do away with the market place that is our District of Columbia. It was never intended to be the market, but the center of our government. Let our lawmakers focus on laws that protect us from physical harm and let the market work itself out. Build a better mouse trap and market it and yourself better to the public without harming or defrauding others. A true free market economy is so simple yet escapes us all.

If all our lawmakers and staff and executive branch officials said, "What buyers and sellers of the widgets do is none of our business. There is nothing for sale in the District of Columbia. Result?

No more "Public interest" lobbyist.

Individuals should have the right to pursue their own interests as long as they do not coerce of defraud others in the process. They to should have access to their lawmakers without special favor, nor fear of retribution. Let the lawmakers be transparent.

Learn more about this author, Rick Wade.
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