You’ve got a point, dtroutma - a major problem is that even people voted out or kicked out of government can readily find a job with a lobbying firm. Glenn Greenwald wrote a scary article on this: http://tinyurl.com/ybkceyc
He picked out Mike McConnell, Bush’s Director of National Intelligence, but could have picked someone from either party. McConnell worked for Booz Allen selling the government on the privatization of intelligence gathering, then worked for the government doing – whaddya know! – privatization of intelligence gathering, then left government and went back to Booz Allen!
Greenwald’s point is that “‘it is more accurate to view the U.S. Government and these huge industry interests as one gigantic, amalgamated, inseparable entity – with a public division and a private one.” Ouch!
Motive, and the Republicans REALLY greased the pivot point on the revolving door, while using the Civil Service Reform Act of ‘78 in keeping their appointees in the government on a permanent basis.
donbeco about 14 years ago
Olde Liberalism, it”s part of our foundation.
Dtroutma about 14 years ago
Then there are those who for two decades have an inverse proportion between their limited abilities, and excessive greed, ‘er , needs.
Lobbying is the REAL perk legislators get when the folks back home DO vote them out!
Motivemagus about 14 years ago
You’ve got a point, dtroutma - a major problem is that even people voted out or kicked out of government can readily find a job with a lobbying firm. Glenn Greenwald wrote a scary article on this: http://tinyurl.com/ybkceyc He picked out Mike McConnell, Bush’s Director of National Intelligence, but could have picked someone from either party. McConnell worked for Booz Allen selling the government on the privatization of intelligence gathering, then worked for the government doing – whaddya know! – privatization of intelligence gathering, then left government and went back to Booz Allen! Greenwald’s point is that “‘it is more accurate to view the U.S. Government and these huge industry interests as one gigantic, amalgamated, inseparable entity – with a public division and a private one.” Ouch!
lonecat about 14 years ago
^ You’re reminding me of C. Wright Mills’ The Power Elite.
Dtroutma about 14 years ago
Motive, and the Republicans REALLY greased the pivot point on the revolving door, while using the Civil Service Reform Act of ‘78 in keeping their appointees in the government on a permanent basis.