That's what I said in my book, How Washington Really Works , first published 18 years ago. The answer is, not always, but there's still some life in the old theory. Witness the banking bill in the last Congress. Some form of this legislation has been before Congress for twenty years but it never passes. Nonetheless, it employs a vast number of Washingtonians as lobbyists who in turn contribute vast sums to Congressional campaign funds.
Legislative inaction means that both the lobbyist and the congressman flourish.
Check out a complete rundown of this month's issue, including many items that are only in print.