Congressmen, senators, and their senior staffers have all sorts of incentives when making policy. There are the noble incentives of seeking the common good, helping the vulnerable, and protecting liberty and human dignity. There are the standard incentives of getting reelected, and then there are the base incentives, such as raising money from donors, or even worse, lining up a high-paying private-sector job to enter upon exiting public service.

This is one reason people serve as politicians and top staffers: to line up the big cash-out. Lawmakers and staff thus have significant interest in arranging things in Washington so that they are in high demand.

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