President Obama, on his first day in office, enhanced restrictions on lobbyists on Capitol Hill. While the intent and some of the effects of these restrictions are laudable, there is one very troubling consequence: Increased Lack of Transparency.
With increased restrictions on lobbying, more lobbyists have continued their activities but have de-registered as lobbyists so as not to run afoul of the new regulations.
They are still peddling their influence for the huge special interests they represent, but now the public knows less about it because it's gone underground.
Obama needs to address how he's taken steps to solve this problem, and how we can expect more progress and transparency in the system.