The Buying of the President 2004 - The Center for Public Integrity: "WASHINGTON, May 6, 2004 � More than 1,300 registered lobbyists have given slightly more than $1.8 million to President George W. Bush over the last six years, according to a Center for Public Integrity study comparing the donations of all registered lobbyists from 1998 through March 2004. Sen. John Kerry received $520,000 from 442 lobbyists during the same period. "

There are several points in the Founding Principals of Reform of the Reform Party USA that addresses lobbying; how can there be any doubt, that lobbyists should not contribute to candidates, who will be subject to those same lobbyists if they are elected? Money donations say, "I think you will probably win, and I want you to remember that I helped you win. Therefore, in order to pay me back, you need to give my issues due consideration!"

Is this the business of the day for the world's only superpower? I believe our elected federal officials should be independent of contributors, lobbyists and advertisers in their deliberations over the good of our country. The same principal obviously applies to all other levels of government.