I forgot who suggested it, but the simple solution to ex-Congressmen taking advantage of their privileges as ex-Congressmen in their new role as a lobbyist is to remove those privileges while they are lobbyists. They can have them back when they get a job that doesn't involve directly influencing the government.

Lobbyist Attends Private GOP Meeting
By ANDREW TAYLOR
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans may change the rules allowing former senators to attend weekly GOP luncheon meetings after retired Sen. Lauch Faircloth attended a session while lobbying a bill pending on the floor.

Faircloth, R-N.C., is a registered lobbyist for companies such as Honeywell and the Dow Chemical Co., which are advocating passage of a bill to limit the liability of companies facing asbestos-related claims.

He attended Tuesday's luncheon, just hours before a crucial vote on the bill, which would end decades of lawsuits against manufacturers and their insurers, potentially saving them great sums of money.

"It's business as usual in Washington," said Roberta Baskin, executive director of the Center for Public Integrity. "The feeding frenzy for reform right now is mostly a war of words."