Don't expect Legislature to police 'drops'

"Make the drop," was what the late Mike Royko wrote decades ago in his Chicago Sun-Times column. It was in response to a woman who asked how her group could get the Equal Rights Amendment passed in Illinois. Puzzled, the woman asked, "Make the what?" He repeated, "Make the drop. Give them money ... bribes ... you can call it a contribution if it will make you feel better."

In Utah, legislators have speed-dating, golf junkets, expensive luncheons and dinners, Jazz tickets, and call them contributions or part of doing business. But, it's all the same — the drop. Some say it's OK to have $50 luncheons, but I can get you a good lunch for $8 max. They appear happy to be called out by constituents who are naive enough to believe they can make a difference on bills drafted by lobbyists who already made the drop.

Some legislators see it as an affront for anyone to impugn their honesty. When questioned about their conflict of interest, their answer is, "trust us." They say they would declare any conflict and then they proceed to vote on matters that benefit their private interests. But, I wonder how many legislators would want to run if they had to recuse themselves from voting where they had a conflict of interest. Besides, who polices them to make sure they follow the rules, and what is the punishment if they do not? These are the same folks who want to pass a litany of laws to show how tough they are on lawbreakers — parents of truant students and those tattooing minors.

They lament the sacrifices they have to make spending time away from home, and how people should not decry their perks; yet seem happy to take gifts, dinners and campaign contributions from lobbyists. Some don't even have to campaign. They have been in office so long and amassed enough power that they can just sit back and wait for the drop. Some veteran lawmakers don't seem to see the need to waste much time campaigning with people in their district. They just shower them with sound bites and glossy campaign literature paid with lobbyist money that proclaims their commitment to honesty and less government.

For those poor souls who still believe that we have a "citizen legislature," give it up. What we have now is a professional cadre of politicians who have gotten addicted to the power they think they have and are fueled by the false adulation they get from lobbyists.

This so-called "citizen politician" position is not a bad gig. Though you are supposed to be a temporary, part-time employee, you are eligible for retirement, medical benefits and all the $100 dinners you can get. I'll bet those part-time, school cafeteria workers earning $7 an hour would love to have at least the medical benefits.