2006 Ron Paul 1:1
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, anyone who doubts that symbols often take priority over substance
in Washington only needs to consider that
among our first items of business the House
of Representatives is considering this year is
a measure banning from the House gym
former members of Congress who are now
lobbyists. This bill is being rushed to the floor
in order to assure the American people that
Congress is cracking down on lobbying
practices in response to recent scandals.
2006 Ron Paul 1:2
This measure does nothing to address the root cause of the scandals — the ever-growing
size and power of the Federal Government.
As long the Federal Government continues to
regulate, tax, and subsidize the American people,
there will be attempts to influence those
who write the laws and regulations under
which the people must live. Human nature
being what it is, there will also be those lobbyists
and policymakers who will manipulate the
power of the regulatory state to enrich themselves.
As I have said before, and I fear I will
have plenty of opportunity to say again, the
only way to get special interest money and influence
out of politics is to get the money and
power out of Washington. Instead of passing
new regulations and laws regulating the peoples
right to petition their government, my colleagues
should refuse to vote for any legislation
that violates the constitutional limits on
Federal power or enriches a special interest at
the expense of American taxpayers. Returning
to constitutional government is the only way to
ensure that our republican institutions will not
be corrupted by powerful interests seeking
special privileges.