Congressmen took free trips worth $50m

It seems to me that our governments are run by lobbyists. It is getting more difficult for politicians to stay honest. It takes a strong person to refuse tempting offers; only a few can stay clean.
...................................
Congressmen took free trips worth $50m
Tuesday June 6, 2006
.
Members of the US Congress and their aides took free trips worth nearly $50m paid for by corporations, trade associations and other private groups between January 2000 and June 2005, according to a study published yesterday.
.
Some of the 23,000 trips featured hotel rooms costing $500 a night, $25,000 corporate jet rides and visits to popular spots such as Paris, Hawaii and Colorado ski resorts, said the research,...............
.
The lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to fraud charges in January and admitted that he had showered golf trips, sports tickets and other gifts on members of Congress in return for actions that would help his clients.
.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1791140,00.html