Andrew Oxford
News, Jan. 4: “Friends like These”
Save the last dance
Elected officials should answer to their constituents—not wealthy special interests. After the holiday season wraps up, inauguration season is in full swing. With lax inaugural fundraising rules, though, these ceremonies can be irresistible opportunities for lobbyists, contractors and corporations to lavish gifts on newly elected officials, creating clear conflicts of interest.
Although campaigns ended months ago, governors and mayors continued fundraising—in eye-popping amounts—for inaugural balls and parades. This fundraising is largely unregulated: While campaign contributions are typically limited and publicly disclosed, inaugural fundraising is an influence-peddling bonanza with few safeguards or transparency requirements.
New Mexico’s governor took a positive step by voluntarily capping and publicly disclosing inaugural donations, but that’s not enough. Pro-democracy rules that curb corruption and ensure politicians are accountable to voters should apply to inaugural fundraising. Donations should be subject to reasonable limits and publicly disclosed. And groups with business before the government, like government contractors, should be barred from giving.
A handful of states and cities, like Kansas and New York City, enforce laws to combat the pay-to-play political culture pervading inaugural fundraising, and the rest of the country should follow suit.
Aaron McKean, legal counsel, Campaign Legal Center
7 Days, Jan. 4: “More Burgers Sounds Awesome”
Not a good idea
[More than] one out of three adults in the US is obese. Just look around. Do you really think a “Fat Burger” is a good idea? Nevermind that you are essentially eating a rainforest.
Marc Bonem, Santa Fe
