How much would we have to pay politicians to NOT take corporate jobs after office?

There have been some admirable moves toward curbing the power of corporations through political donations and lobbying perks like gifts and junkets, but their greatest weapon of mass corruption is what they can offer AFTER a politician leaves office: jobs as lobbyists, consultants, executives, and board members (the last often requiring little or no work), and of course, insider stock tips.

So even if some environmental, labor, or civil rights group could match a corporation dollar for dollar in donations, they are hopelessly outmatched in backend corruption.

There is no questions that politicians start using their office to line up these jobs by doing their future employers favors long before they will leave.

How much would it take to get our elected officials to pass this up?

:thumbsup:

it's more potent to make you THINK it and get mad that it's not an option than say it outright.

because you cannot put a dollar amount on their greed, they would just find loopholes.

We'd have to have a national referendum to make the ban on former lawmakers to take jobs as lobbyists permanent. They will not pass such a law--I guarantee it.

100% of their Congressional salary? Even if they serve only one term?

Just like the rest of us get - NOT...

A pension made available to members of the United States Congress. Members who participated in the congressional pension system are vested after five (5) years of service. A full pension is available to Members 62 years of age with 5 years of service; 50 years or older with 20 years of service; or 25 years of service at any age. A reduced pension is available depending upon which of several different age/service options is chosen. If Members leave Congress before reaching retirement age, they may leave their contributions behind and receive a deferred pension later.
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The pension amount is determined by a formula that takes into account the years served and the average pay for the top three years in terms of payment. In 2002, the average pension payment ranged from $41,000 to $55,000. For example, a Congressman who worked for 22 years and had a top three-year average salary of $153,900 would be eligible for a pension payment of $84,645 per year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_pension

Maybe it was the Senate I was thinking of. One term there will get you past the 5 year requirement, and most are in their 60s (excluding two currently running for President).

but since it's congress that would have to do the outlawing- it'll NEVER happen under our current system.

Paid, "professional" lobbying and lobbyist ought to be outlawed. There's nothing wrong with citizen lobbyists, as long as they have no corporate connections and they're not on any corporate payroll.

write books, do speaking tours, .....

depending on who pays for the book or speaking engagement.

They should be able to speak all they want--as long as they do it on their own dime.

What's the saying, "Millions for defense, but not one penny for tribute"?