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Revision as of 19:44, 23 March 2012 by 85.64.116.186 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Capitol Punishment. The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America’s Most Notorious Lobbyist is a non-fiction 300-page memoir by former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, published in November 2011. Abramoff, usually described as a “disgraced former Republican lobbyist”, and once Washington′s highest-paid lobbyist, served four years, three and a half years in federal prison, out of a six year sentence, after being convicted of wire and mail fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials in 2006. The book, an “account of his political triumphs, serial lawbreaking and unethical conduct” according to the Washington Post, details the author′s life in Washington as a power broker and lobbyist. In its last chapter, titled “Path to Reform”, Abramoff lists a number of proposals to eliminate bribery of government officials.
Abramoff wrote Capitol Punishment in four weeks. When asked why he wrote the book, he said in an interview: “I had something to give back, some way to make some recompense for what I was by telling what is going on in Washington – from the point of view of somebody who rose very high in that industry – and what goes on behind those doors, and how horrible it really is.” The book came out on November 1, 2011. On November 15, The Daily Caller hosted a book party at his editor-in-chief Tucker Carlson′s home for the book.
The book details the inner workings of the Washington Abramoff knew. It discusses Abramoff′s relationships with powerful congressional leaders like Tom DeLay and Bob Ney, and shares the names of senators who, according to Abramoff, took tens of thousands of dollars, but offers no significant new details beyond what was known before, and “doesn't help identify the people he corrupted who are still on the Hill”, as the Huffington Post notes. Some of the people he accuses of having taken money from his team and clients, particularly members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and Democratic Party politicians, have denied the allegations, calling Abramoff “a liar”.
The book is meant to expose what Abramoff considers the real problem of the Washington lobby. This real problem, according to Abramoff, is not what is illegal in Washington (he claims the great majority of what he did was legal), but rather what is legal. In the last chapter of the book, Abramoff portrays himself as someone who supports genuine reform. He suggests to shut the “revolving door” between Capitol Hill and the K Street offices of Washington’s biggest lobbying firms by banning legislators and their aides for life from becoming lobbyists. He also proposes barring lobbyists from giving gifts to lawmakers, and prohibiting lobbyists and special interest groups from making political donations. In addition to this, he advocates instituting term limits for representatives and senators.
External links
- Jack Abramoff (2011). Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America’s Most Notorious Lobbyist. Washington, D.C.: WND Books. ISBN 978-1-936488-44-5.
References
- James, Frank (November 18, 2011). "Jack Abramoff: From Corrupt Lobbyist To Washington Reformer". NPR. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- Smith, Jeffrey R. (December 9, 2011). "In Jack Abramoff's memoir, 'Capitol Punishment,' an unrepentant reformer?". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- ^ Lowenfeld, Jonah (March 8, 2012). "Destitute: The new Jack Abramoff". Jewish Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- ^ "Jack Abramoff Calls D.C. Politics Dirty As Ever". NPR. November 18, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- Froomkin, Dan (October 28, 2011). "Jack Abramoff, In New Book, Decries Endemic Corruption In Washington". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
- Rothstein, Betsy (October 25, 2011). "Abramoff Book Party at Carlson's House". FishbowlDC. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
- ^ Froomkin, Dan (November 1, 2011). "Jack Abramoff Takes Shots At Enemies And Protects Friends In New Book". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 13, 2012.