Why can't legislators, for instance, use their district newsletters (or their Web sites) to shed some light on what's going on? Be brave. Tell voters about the trips. The junkets. The "educational" forays.Republican Representatives Jo Ann Davis, Thelma Drake and Randy Forbes all traveled to Israel, with the tab ($11,600-$14,300 per trip) picked up by a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group. It probably was educational, but voters may see it in a different light when they know that the trips were paid for by a well-connected force that has staked out a position on one side of a complex and controversial issue.
It's also useful to know that the American Shipbuilding Association paid for the trio to go to forums "to discuss policy and legislation to rebuild our sea services and the shipbuilding industry."
How about Sen. George Allen's speaking engagements at two meetings in Florida in March 2003, which turned into a $7,862 sojourn for himself and his wife, courtesy of a drug maker, a pharmaceutical trade group and NASDAQ?
Constituents might also want to contemplate Allen's campaign to prevent taxation of Internet services in light of the money he pulls down from the computer and Internet industry - $143,050 since his last race.
It's an intriguing proposal, as such progressive disclosures in the form of direct communication with their constituents would add context to the causes they love to champion.
Look up ALEC it'll make you sick.