Trent Lott Early Retirement

What’s New This Week

"Efficient market theory dominated economic thinking from the days of Ronald Reagan to the collapse of 2008. It was the rationale for deregulation, the cause of a massive transfer of wealth and income from the middle class to a tiny number of the very rich. Now it is dead and gone but Republican politicians won’t let go, and many in the media show no understanding of the issue." Republicans Are Locked in a Passionate Embrace with a Corpse and Won't Let Go

"Reconciliation is not being considered for [Senate] passing comprehensive health-care reform. Major health-care reform legislation passed the Senate without reconciliation on Christmas Eve ." The Role for Reconciliation

November 27th, 2007 · No Comments · Republicans

November 27, 2007

The Facts

Republican Senator Trent Lott announced yesterday that he will be retiring and leaving office by the end of the year, although his term is not up. One article said “Lott’s decision was ‘an acknowledgment by an iconic GOP warrior that there’s little power or fun being in the minority — and that Republicans should get used to it.’ The article went on to quote USA Today as saying “Emory University political scientist Merle Black says ‘Lott’s departure may reflect the senator’s view that the GOP ‘is going to remain in the minority for the foreseeable future.’”

My View

My view is very short and to the point. Here’s another quote: “A senior Republican source close to Lott said one reason for the decision is the new lobbying restrictions on former lawmakers. A new law kicks in on January 1, forbidding lawmakers from lobbying for two years after leaving office. Those who leave by the end of 2007 are covered by the previous law, which demands a wait of only one year.”

Mark another one down for our politicians. Ex-lawmakers make a lot of money as lobbyist after public service by using their connections. And all us common folk really benefit from lobbyist, don’t we? So what’s new?