Phase 2: Congressional Election Reforms

Alright, now that I have cleaned up the election process for President, let's examine congress. While any corruption that takes place at the executive level will usually be on a grander scale than any graft at the congressional level, I firmly believe that the "areas of opportunity" for sleaze is much greater in the legislative branch of government. The press is not following every congressman or congressional aid around 24/7.
Let Condi Rice try to go to Jack Abramoff's DC restaurant and get it on the arm without anyone finding out. At least 20 congressmen were on the perpetual comp list at his restaurant, Signatures.

TOMMY'S CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION REFORMS

• Raise the time frame for making the lucrative crossover from a congressional seat to being a lobbyist - it is one year now. Some members are proposing 2 years - I am a little more radical - let's raise it to 5 years
• Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has a great idea - no fund raising allowed for any congressional seat unless it is done in the home state of the candidate - current Speaker Hastert has had fund raisers at - oh let me guess - Jack Abramoff's Signatures. Gingrich also had a great line - I am paraphrasing - you can't have a corrupt lobbyist without corrupt members or aides at the other end of the line.
• Start prosecuting lobbying firms for violations. According to the Institute for Public Integrity, 49 of the top 50 lobbying firms have been either delinquent or non-compliant with current Federal regulations requiring reporting of all moneys spent wining and dining Members and their aides.
• Prohibiting contributions from any PAC's and strict caps on corporate and individual contribution levels.
• Place caps on spending - I know - the Supreme Court is going to have a problem with this and the First Amendment. I know in my heart that the FF would not have a problem with this.
• Require candidates to split the cost of a full page ad in their local newspaper listing their beliefs, platform, and goals for their term in congress.

Okay - anybody else have any ideas?