Ted Cruz and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Have an Odd-couple Plan to Drain the Swamp, and We Love It

When Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez agree on something maybe it is time to declare victory. Or the Apocalypse.It all started when Ocasio-Cortez tweeted “if you are a member of Congress + leave, you shouldn’t be allowed to turn right around&leverage your service for a lobbyist check.”Quickly, Cruz responded. “Here’s something I don’t say often: on this point, I AGREE with @AOC Indeed, I have long called for a LIFETIME BAN on former Members of Congress becoming lobbyists. The Swamp would hate it, but perhaps a chance for some bipartisan cooperation?”And that brought this retort from AOC: “Let’s make a deal.” And she laid out some very simple conditions. A clean bill, no poison pills, “just a straight, clean ban on members of Congress becoming paid lobbyists — then I’ll co-lead the bill with you.” Don’t let this moment of odd-couple bipartisanship go unrequited. Conflicts of interests aren’t limited to one party, but have become a way of life in Washington, D.C. Spend some time as an elected official, qualify for a federal pension and then scurry to K Street for the really big bucks. It is wrong, and it undermines the notion of a citizen Congress. The legislative branch was never intended to be a finishing school for private-sector riches from connections made in public service.  Continue reading...