Egad! Give European lobbyists the option to voluntarily register with the EU Commission ... and they'll comply in droves. Since the European Transparency Initiative was launched last June, more than 1,023 organizations and individuals have stepped forward to identify themselves.

When the lobbyists register, they must also agree to a code of conduct committing them to openness, honesty and integrity. The European Commission said it opened the voluntary registry to let "citizens know which general or specific interests are influencing the decision-making process of the European Institutions and the resources mobilized to that end."

American lobbyists are required by law to register with the Congress. The Senate Office of Public Records lists 14,247 active lobbyists as of September 30, 2008.

On February 19, the EU Commission issued guidance to staff on contact with lobbyists. "This is an easy way for you to see whether your lobby contacts have already joined and to get more information about them."

Check out this chart showing the registration trend line.
                                                                                                           --Winter Casey