Where Are My Taxes Going?

By Meshawn Ayala, Iowa PIRG Citizen Outreach Director

A thought occurred to me as I prepared my taxes -- where is my money going? Will my taxes pay for the best safety equipment and supplies for the troops or will it be wasted by companies like Halliburton?  How much does behind-the scenes lobbying by special interests cost us?

Sadly, the costs are high.  At least $10 billion dollars have been wasted on overpriced contracts or undocumented costs in Iraq while those returning home received substandard care. Halliburton alone is responsible for $2.7 billion dollars of this wasted money. Our taxes should not go towards lining the pockets of the politically connected.

This spring we have a real chance of passing strong lobby reform in the House which would help hold special interests and their lobbyists more accountable. You can help now by asking Speaker Pelosi to make sure the house introduces strong lobby reform legislation.

To take action, click on the link below or paste it into your web browser:
https://www.uspirg.org/action/money-politics/email?id4=ES

Then ask your friends and family to do the same by forwarding this email to them.

Background

Together we have the opportunity to put an end to the corruption and lobbying scandals that have plagued congress. Until now powerful interests and their lobbyists have gotten away with far too much. The key to change is transparency -- the public has a right to know what relationships their representatives have with powerful interests.

So far this year, we struck two blows against political corruption. The house, during their first 100 hours, passed a bill that banned gifts and travel from lobbyists. Then the senate followed suit and added strong lobbying reforms that hold lobbyists and the special interests they work for more accountable.

The House now needs to pass strong, comprehensive lobbying reform which should include the following provisions.

Disclosure of "bundled" contributions:
A congressperson can receive as much as $2,300 in a single contribution. However powerful interests and their lobbyists wield more muscle by gathering hundreds of thousands in donations from multiple sources and presenting it in one big bundle.  Currently there are no rules in place that discloses this information to the public -- we have a right to know who our representatives are turning to for campaign cash.

Disclosure of public campaigns:
In addition to influencing politicians directly, lobbying firms often spend huge amounts of money on expensive media and other paid communications in order to influence the public to lobby on their behalf. There should be requirements for lobbying firms to disclose to the public who is behind these campaigns and the amount of money they receive from powerful interests to do this.

Slow the revolving door:
Members of congress leaving to work as lobbyists used to be the exception. Now it is a regular practice, with some 200 former Members reportedly lobbying Congress. By selling their access to the highest bidder, former members are unfairly tilting the playing field in favor of the powerful interest they represent. We need to extend the "cooling off" period and close the loopholes that allow legislators to leave as public servants only to immediately return as hired guns.

You can help now by asking Speaker Pelosi to make sure that the house introduces strong lobby reform legislation. Then ask your friends and family to do the same by forwarding this email to them.

To take action, click on the link below or paste it into your web browser:

Sincerely,

Meshawn Ayala
Iowa PIRG Citizen Outreach Director
MeshawnA@iowapirg.org
http://www.IowaPIRG.org

P.S.  Thanks again for your support.  Please feel free to share this with your family and friends.