Reform!

While you mat not agree with Paul Begala and James Carville's take on lobbying reform, I would think that these two initiatives would be almost universally approved:

The penalties for violation would be swift. If an incumbent accepts so much as a postage stamp, he loses his seat. If a challenger doesn't report contributions, he loses his shot. If you cheat, you are out on your ass.

(snip)

What if a sitting congressman wants to run for senator, or a senator wants to run for president? Would he be allowed to raise funds? Sure. He'd just have to do what Bob Dole eventually did - —resign his Senate seat and hit the campaign trail like a regular citizen. If you want to run for higher office, you have to get off your current pedestal first.

Take these out of the context of Begala and Carville's no fund raising mantra, and you still have a couple of good ideas. Not allowing any violation should help keep Congressman on the up and up. If there is any doubt on Rep. DeA's part (to use a generic example) as to the legality of taking certain monies, he's more likely to err on the side of caution if he knows his job is at stake.