Lawmaker fund-raising simply extortion

I was bothered when reading that approximately 40 Utah House Republicans recently kicked off a fund-raising effort just 11 days before the 2006 legislative session began Jan. 6. Help me out. What's wrong with this picture? Lawmakers came up with a fund-raising scheme whereby they offer to visit with lobbyists on condition the lobbyists contribute $100 to their House election fund? Then, 11 days later, those same lobbyists will converge on those same legislators for political favors.

To me, this appears to be a "You scratch my back; I'll scratch yours" arrangement. And other fund-raisers are planned as well, just prior to the 2006 legislative session, by Democratic leaders and Senate Republicans.

Unfortunately, this type of activity tarnishes the images of lawmakers who refrain from asking lobbyists for money so close to a session. Just a few years ago, 20 powerful lobbyists in our state ponied up $10,000 to spend time with one elected official. How is this? Do lobbyists have bundles of money they just want to get rid of? Or is it possible the decisions of our lawmakers are being influenced? Is it possible that political access is determined by whether a lobbyist is willing to play along, and by how much money he is playing with?

Many elected officials are offended to think one would question the possibility they could be influenced by money. Don't let these lawmakers kid you. They know money influences people, relationships and decisions. Think what would happen to a judge or a jury member if they solicited money from the defendants or plaintiffs just prior to hearing their case? The whole bunch of them would end up in jail. Yet aren't our legislators acting as judges when they consider legislative issues? Are our legislators less vulnerable to corruption than are court judges or members of a jury?

Raising money or being independently wealthy is necessary to win an elected office under our current system. But what bothers me is that our lawmakers have become more and more brazen in the way they go about raising money. To me, it smacks of political extortion. It feels like an Olympic-type bribery arrangement. No wonder the public's trust of our elected officials continues to erode.

I believe that laws could be passed to help restore confidence in our government representatives. Just as we have passed laws to ensure the integrity and confidence in our judicial system, safeguards that can be legislated to prevent the possibility of influence buying. It's time our Republican legislative leaders take the lead by passing laws that will uphold sound campaign ethics and inspire the confidence and trust of the people.

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Glen Davis was a Republican candidate for governor in 2000.