"Revolving Door's" effect on government?

It is a known fact that almost half of lawmakers that quit or left office since 1998 have entered the world of lobbying or business consulting. Alternatively, many lobbyists will use their connections to score a Congressional seat or another government job. This, known as the 鈥渞evolving door,鈥?is a point of criticism for many lobbyists. Using relationships and connections from previous deals, government officials can almost assuredly secure a position at a lobbying firm or business.
So, our government teacher posed this question: which is more of a concern about the influence of lobbying on government, lobbyists that are former federal officials, who gave up their positions in government to work for interest groups, or members of Congress that are former lobbyists who still have strong connections with interest groups?

My question would be this. If you leave government service for a lobbying agency, How did you get that job offer... Did you sell a vote for it?

I think it would be a bit of a challenge to differentiate between the two. If you are completely aware that a member of congress has strong connections with interest groups that is already a clear danger. The lobbyist that was in Congress may have his/her own ties, but s/he is lobbying... not voting. On the flip side your congressional leader is now wielding a bit more power than when s/he was a lobbyist. A strong relationship between lobbyists and congressional leaders is always a worry to me.

Right ! Few years ago I thought it funny that a research Dr. from N.I.O.S.H. would become dermatologist ,handling Workers Comp. for Hazardous Workers. Private sector pays very well !