Lawrence Lessig Accuses U.S. Congress of Corruption

American political activist and Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig stressed the need for a constitutional convention to address rampant congressional corruption during his speech at Kenyon on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Lessig focused his attention on the pervasive corruption plaguing the U.S. Congress. Lessig's most recent book, Republic, Lost: How Money Corrupts Congress – and a Plan to Stop It, is set for publication in early October. He shared his thoughts on the corruption of the American republic in his presentation sponsored by Kenyon's Center for the Study of American Democracy.

Lessig began by accusing the U.S. government of losing efficacy. Citizens are understandably frustrated with their representatives in light of this inaction, he said. The only federal government institution to enjoy the support of a majority of Americans is the Supreme Court, according to a recent poll. The Supreme Court, he pointed out, is also the only undemocratic organ of the federal government.

Lessig also spoke about the continual extension of certain provisional parts of the U.S. tax code that began under the Reagan administration.

Essentially, Lessig said, lawmakers raised funds for their reelection campaigns by projecting the illusion that tax provisions were in jeopardy of not being renewed.

Sugar tariffs, corn subsidies, shadow banking and government guarantees of financially troubled businesses were among the other issues that Lessig touched on during his overview of congressional corruption. Incidents like the ongoing recession and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill have caused 75 percent of Americans to believe that money produces results in Congress, according to Lessig. As he pointed out, more Americans trusted the British crown in 1776 than trust Congress in 2011.

Members of Congress, Lessig said, have developed a "sixth sense" about how their legislative decisions will affect their prospects for reelection. He considers this incessant focus on reelection a distraction from the purpose of Congress.

The effect financial contributions have on congressional decision-making also has undemocratic aspects, Lessig said. He noted that the preferences of America's most affluent citizens tend to become policy, which usually puts the course of American affairs at odds with the wants and needs of the bottom 90 percent of Americans. The country's founders, he said, wanted Congress to depend on the will of the American people, but this principle has been lost.