Trade Group Sues to End Honest Leadership and Open Government

The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, which Congress passed last year to reign in some lobbying and ethics problems, is about as controversial as cup cakes or the tooth fairy.  Except if you're the National Association of Manufactures (NAM), one of the countries' biggest corporate lobby groups.

Apparently, NAM thinks this law just isn't for them.  It cramps their style so much that they don't just oppose the law. They have filed a lawsuit against it – to actually invalidate the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act.

And what's more:  you won't find a lobby group in America more dedicated to demolishing the legal rights of injured people.  This all recently came up during the battle over the ill-fated nomination of NAM's lobbyist Michael Baroody, to head the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

So in the universe where NAM lives, a family shouldn't have the right to sue the manufacturers of a defectively designed crib.  But take away their right to cover up their membership as they wine and dine politicians, and they're knocking down the courthouse door!

Comments

[Tom Foss]

I heard this morning that the National Association of Manufacturers is the one group affilated with the now not so secret rewrite by the Administration of the Rules on Family Leave Act. I have not had the chance to review this yet, but heard supportive comments from the President of NAM saying this is "welcome relief from abuses." He noted that many people are just using the act on Friday and Monday.

Now, how can this be? You cannot use the act for one day like that. In other words, I think he lied. And if he lied, why did NPR run it? And if NPR wants to run this lie, unfiltered, why don't they at least get a response? And for my final question, how much do you want to bet that this guy and his cronies were in the room working on the new rules? And now, with this law they are suing to prohibit, won't that fact be subject to a FOIA!

Good luck on your new blogs I look forward to continuing to read it.

-Tom