SarbOx for legislators: should we make them disclose why they support or oppose each bill reaching the floor?

Question

I think this should include a requirement that each legislator must read the entire bill before voting, and all lobbyist contact & activity must be disclosed and explained in detail, as must all vote trading between legislators. No voice voting, and every vote on every bill must be explained in writing under the pains and penalties of perjury. Violation punishable by minimum 10 year prison term plus restitution.

There are too many back room deals and vote trading going on, or legislators who vote a certain way because a lobbyist wants him/her to, often without the legislator having read the bill first.

Explanations and disclosures must be made publicly available at the candidates' websites and each legislative office they maintain.

Legislators want to hold business leaders accountable for millions and billions entrusted to them. How about we hold legislators accountable for the $ TRILLIONS entrusted to them?!?

Answer 1

SarbOx for legislators is a great idea.

For one, it would provide the transparency in government the neo-liberals are parroting from Europe. (Although while they always demand America have transparency they fail to provide it themselves.)

For two, it would bog them down so much by actually requiring them to read all legislation and disclosing their lobbying contacts that it would slow the legislature to a crawl. And that is the best of all possible worlds since the government needs to get out of the business of over regulation and granting us rights and get back into the business of protecting our inherent liberties.

Answer 2

Sounds good, but just like you are supposed to disclose all donations, not all of them are. Many would violate these rules, there is no perfect way of enforcing this, unfortunately. I support the measure, I'd vote you into the legislature if you got this passed (good luck).

Answer 3

I've thought the very same thing. Congress, the most corrupt organization in America, has the nerve to draft something like SarbOx while they aren't held to ANY standards of accountability?!?!? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Answer 4

I think I agree with all but the "disclose why they support"...
That is, all of the other background information ... sure ...
But "why" is frequently going to come down to "I'm against
murder" or "This is bad..."

"why" is squishy. The other things are not.

Answer 5

Interesting idea. I don't think either party will go for it.

I know Dick Cheney wouldn't - what with all the cash he's making via Halliburton-Iraq war connection.

Answer 6

Agreed, How about asking them ,to declare if their loyalties lie
with America or against it.