Both parties agree that corruption and abuse at the federal level is a serious problem. Rich lobbyists and powerful bureaucrats move the levers of power, undermining the will of the people and growing their already substantial bank accounts.
But is it possible to end corruption in D.C. with more federal regulations and mandates? Can Washington fix itself?
Probably not. As Convention of States National Legislative Strategist Rita Dunaway explained in an article on The Stream, there's a fundamental contradiction within the left's domestic policy.
In a recent op-ed, Democratic U.S. House Representatives Nancy Pelosi and John Sarbanes vowed to “make Washington work for the people.” With their new majority in the House, they pledge to end corruption, reduce the influence of special interests, and limit the role of money in politics. They intend to do this through laws, regulations, and mandates.
In the same breath, they promise to “make progress for working families” by raising wages, ending gun violence, and lowering health-care costs. I can almost hear the wealthy, well-dressed lobbyists snapping their briefcases shut as they rush off to “help” craft all these new laws. Wait — isn’t that what we wanted to end?
Promises at OddsThe commitments made by Representatives Pelosi and Sarbanes basically fall into two categories. They promise to address corruption in D.C. Then they promise to give us good things — higher wages, a society free of gun violence, and better, cheaper health care, just to name a few.
It’s time we all recognized that these two sets of objectives are at odds. Why do lobbyists flock to Washington? Why do big companies and rich activists channel their money to federal officials? It’s because this tiny, elite group of people controls levers of power so strong and for so long that there’s no mountain they can’t move.
So what's the solution? Give power back to the states, where average Americans can provide real accountability to their elected officials.
When most public policies are made at the state level, as they should be, citizens are able to see what is happening and be involved in the process. It’s easier for us to visit our state legislators. Easier to talk to them and help them understand the issues from our point of view.
By forcing Washington back into its constitutional box, we can diffuse its power and send much of it back to the state level. By limiting Congress to those few, specific issues it was meant to oversee, we can remove much of the incentive for big corporations and special interests to focus so much of their influence on so few officials who are so far from the people.
Yes, fixing our government’s structure will be hard and messy. But it can be done. On the other hand, if we keep doing what Representatives Pelosi and Sarbanes suggest— getting Congress more involved in our lives while slapping new rules on lobbyists and donors — we will see little change in Washington.
Power is the fuel of corruption. If we want corruption in the Capitol to end, it’s time to cut off the fuel supply.
It can be done! Article V of the Constitution allows the people, acting through the states, to call a Convention of States. At this Convention, state delegations can propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
These amendments, once ratified by 38 states, can limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and return that power to the state and local levels.
Sign the petition below to show your support!
