How frolicking with lobbyists can leave you feeling "sticky"

The shindig that businesses such as Ford, Anheuser-Busch, Sprint and Wal-Mart put on for Florida legislators this year was sparsely attended. Lobbyists and businesses can no longer buy stuff for Florida politicians. Not dinner, not drinks, not lap dances, not hookers. Thus there was a $28 entrance fee this year.

Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Crystal River likes the new rules, because she doesn't like that "sticky" feeling she used to get after cavorting with lobbyists.

"Now you can pay for it. Now it doesn't feel sticky," said Sen. Nancy
Argenziano, R-Crystal River, who attended one other opening party in the
past 10 years. "It used to feel sticky."

Even though this new rule is in place, politicians can still collect thousands of dollars in soft-money contributions for their "campaigns" from corporations and lobbyists, which they can in turn spend willy nilly on "meals, plane tickets, rental cars, computers, furniture and cell phones" and God only know what else.

I think Rep. Ron Reagan from Sarasota (not to be confused with Ron Reagan, the former president's son) says it best.

"This is a perfect example of how it can work," Reagan said, after
paying for his ticket. "I've always cum in the past; I'll cum in the
future."*

* some of the spelling in this quote has been changed to better reflect the true meaning the Representative was attempting to convey.