It's a new world

Obama has stepped into office and making some immediate changes...

In the news today:

The lobbying rules announced yesterday aim to end what has become a way of life in Washington, where those serving in an administration collect chits that are quickly cashed in once they depart government. Under the new rules, presidential appointees who leave office will not be allowed to lobby any federal agency as long as Obama remains in office.

"It's not about advantaging yourself. It's not about advancing your friends or your corporate clients. It's not about advancing an ideological agenda or the special interests of any organization," Obama told Cabinet members and senior staff at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. "Public service is, simply and absolutely, about advancing the interests of Americans."

The disclosure rules turn existing law on its head, requiring the government to err on the side of releasing information, not on the side of keeping documents and records secret.

"The old rules said that if there was a defensible argument for not disclosing something to the American people, then it should not be disclosed. That era is over now," Obama declared.

Yes.. the old rules don't apply.  The Republicans were outraged that Clinton "lied" to the American people and yet Bush setup entire departments to lie to world.  The Republicans are concerned about Clinton's using influence for gain and yet, Bushes friends and business associates frequently won contracts and staff earned lucrative jobs.  The BUSH era is over... Whew!