Making Big Money A Political Liability In 2020

Twitter hosted a rare bipartisan moment a few days ago, when conservative Senator Ted Cruz said he agreed with liberal icon Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that former congresspeople shouldn’t be allowed to become lobbyists. When Cortez doubled down and asked Cruz to put out a clean bill, his answer was unusually concise:

Now, it’s questionable if banning former congresspeople from lobbying would be effective. It may well just push the system underground. Afterall, the extraordinary salaries lobbyists command comes from close, personal relationships, the kind that aren’t easily policed.

The Atlantic considers is a near impossibility too. Efforts in the past led to chaotic rebellions in Congress to prevent stricter lobbying rules. It’s difficult to legislate yourself out of becoming fabulously rich.

Americans know this.

And it’s not just lobbying. It’s Super PACs, foundations, political appointees, lavish fundraisers, and even the disgusting amount of time congresspeople spend begging for money (and not reading bills). It can be summed with the term big money, and calls for change like Cortez/Cruz’s are popular.