ND: Ethics are, of course, a huge issue, what with the Plame investigation still going on, the National Security Agency wiretapping, Abramoff, etc. How do we go about cleaning up Congress?
CP: I think we have to revisit the entire question of the lobbying community and the role that they play on Capitol Hill. I think the original movement of special interests into Washington, DC, didn't create problems, but it has rapidly become out of control. We need to enact extremely serious lobying reform that creates a transparent process of exchange between lobbyists and lawmakers, because lobbyists do play a positive role on Capitol Hill - when they're held accountable in everything they do and are held to very tight scrutiny. We need sunshine laws; we need full campaign disclosure when lobbyists deal in any way with lawmakers. We need to stop the revolving door of government employees as well as members of Congress moving in and out of these special-interest lobbying circles. Not only are there more than 34,000 lobbyists in Washington, DC, right now, but among them are 272 former members of Congress who have literally cashed out their careers' incomes. That can not be permitted to stand.
We've reached the point now where lobbyists are literally writing legislation for Congress. The Medicare bill is the latest or one of the latest examples of exactly that. That process can not be allowed to stand. I don't know how far we're going to have to go. We're gonna have to really dig into this problem and understand it. It could be that there is going to have to be an entire temporary ban on lobbying in Washington, DC, not unlike the national bank holiday of 1933 that enabled this country to sort of correct its course economically. We're in an equal crisis circumstance with regard to lobbyists who have literally hijacked our government. Not all of them - I really want to make that point and not broad-brush them...
ND: Sure, of course.
CP: ...but something with real teeth has to be enacted. I will gladly, happily lead that fight in the Senate.
ND: You have stated that you are the only candidate in the race who has called for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. You've gone so far as to call what they call a "war," what others call an invasion and occupation "illegal." Of course, if you get into the US Senate, you're going to be up against a lot of people who are going to disagree with you on those issues. How are you going to make your case and convince them to do what you consider to be the right thing?
Article comments
1 - Dave De Vetter
I truly believe that Chuck Pennacchio is our only hope of beating Santorum in November. He will actually represent the people's interests instead of giving in to the corporations and righ-wing religious extremists. I hope everyone who reads this visits his site and contributes to his campaign or signs up to volunteer (even if you don't live in PA, there's much you can do). We're an all volunteer campaign fighting for the future of democracy.
2 - Austin
that site is www.chuck2006.com
3 - Natalie Davis
Chuck's name in the essay, as does the Pennacchio button graphic, links to the campaign Web site.
4 - Brenna Lorenz
If you have a chance to hear Chuck speak, absolutely do go. He will have you jumping out of your seat ready to do battle. You can't imagine how wonderful it is to hear a candidate talk sense!
When people ask him tough questions, he doesn't hedge, waffle, change the subject, flinch or dodge. He answers head-on, decisively. He's going to make mincemeat of Santorum.
This man is a true leader.
5 - Natalie Davis
Yes, Chuck is a principled, empowering presence. And a straight shooter. But the fact remains that the Democratic powers that be, including a lot of the major Democratic blogs (Kos, MyDD, etc.) are pushing the centrist-conservative Casey. That makes it crucial for progressives to spread the word far and wide throughout Pennsylvania: Casey is nothing more than a pale image of Santorum. He does not support the basic issues so crucial for Pennsylvania and that represent core Democratic values. I understand that people are used to caving in to the right wing; they're accustomed to bending over for the conservatives and losing for their self-degradation. But come on - a progressive can win and god knows, a change is needed YESTERDAY. It's time for a real progressive, a real people's candidate. If Santorum is destined to win (and I maintain that he is NOT), isn't it better to lose standing tall rather than on one's knees? Casey is the candidate for the acquiescent, the cowardly, the weak. Pennacchio is the candidate for the courageous, for those who want power to rest in the hands of the PEOPLE rather than the fatcat, money-motivated pols. Spread the word.