Reply #25

On 60 Minutes Overtime, Lesley explains her reaction and how stomach-turning it was to hear the nuts and bolts of how a lobbyist corrupts our political leaders. Abramoff described how he lavished congressmen and senators with gifts, access to private jets, and junkets to the world's great golf destinations like St. Andrews in Scotland. He treated them to free meals at his own upscale Washington restaurant and the best tickets to all the area's sporting events, including sky boxes at Washington Redskins games.

"I think the public's going to be furious watching this," she said of her Abramoff report. "The story just shows you that our system really, really is in trouble."

Abramoff served more than three years in prison for his crimes, and when he was released, 60 Minutes producer Ira Rosen was eager to get him on camera to explain his secrets of the lobbying game and how he worked to undermine our democracy.

"This is a guy who was a player in Washington and can describe how politics in Washington works," Ira told Overtime, "and what the interfacing is between a lobbyist and a politician and how they work together-- not necessarily for the public good."

more at link:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504803_162-57319068-10391709/jack-abramoff-inside-capitol-corruption/