&gt; An anecdote from Jack Abramoff, former lobbyist sentenced to 4 years for &quot;trading expensive gifts, meals and sports trips in exchange for political favors&quot;<p>This is true, but outdated. The lobbying rules were drastically tightened as a result of this scandal.<p>The rules aren&#x27;t perfect, but they are <i>much</i> stronger and better enforced than they used to be. Today, I think GP has it right about the primary advantage being access and the resources to use that access, not the sort of bribery you describe.<p>Have a look:<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ethics.senate.gov&#x2F;public&#x2F;index.cfm?p=Gifts" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ethics.senate.gov&#x2F;public&#x2F;index.cfm?p=Gifts</a>
<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;ethics.house.gov&#x2F;gifts&#x2F;house-gift-rule" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;ethics.house.gov&#x2F;gifts&#x2F;house-gift-rule</a>