You know, I've got a buddy who works on the Hill, and he spends more time watching his portfolio than reading bills. That's the problem right there. When you're a public official, your job is to serve the public, not yourself. Trading individual stocks creates this constant temptation—you're always wondering if that insider tidbit could help your next trade. It's not just about actual corruption; it's about the appearance of it. Every time a lawmaker buys stock in a company they're about to regulate, it looks shady. Banning stock trades for public officials would remove that doubt entirely. Yeah, they'd miss out on some gains, but that's a small price for trust. We've got enough cynicism in politics already. Let's make it simpler: serve the people, not your portfolio.

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