I dont know much about lobbying so this might be easy. Ever since I heard of it i was like, isnt that bribery? Why is it ok if the filthy rich bribe?
Please tell me one good thing about lobbying, if you can give me one, please give me 3!
Just watched this vid about the podesta emails, they dont mention pizza, but they do show how hes been a secretive money changer in control of Americas policies for far too long. https://www.reddit.com/r/topofreddit/comments/5bfi73/wikileaks_calls_this_video_best_summary_by_far_of/
Drain the swamp.
Lobbying itself is a double-edged sword. It can easily be defended by the First Amendment. There is nothing criminal about advocating for a group or cause and financially supporting those who agree with you.
However, like many other activities, it can be twisted to shady and nefarious ends.
Lobbyists are also experts on specific areas of policy, and provide valuable perspectives to legislators who are frequently just career attorneys.
Exactly right. Lobby should be constrained to words and words only. The meetings should be within the halls of Congress and never ever ever off the Capitol grounds. No food, no drinks, no kickback, just words.
I agree man, in a perfect world. No more of that I scratch your back you scratch mine. Civil and earnest discussion, free from playing politics just to stay in power to generate wealth. I believe America as a whole would think a lot clearer if the lobbyists were taken out of Washington. A man can dream
Propertarianism. Check it out. It's Objectivism for the real world.
It just seems to twist into a plutocracy really quickly. It turned into special interest groups with hearts bent on accumulating wealth more so than what is good for the country.
Lobbying is important. Can it be abused, absolutely. Does it still play a vital role in crafting effective legislation, even more absolutely.
In a perfect world it shouldnt take money or bribery to get bill's passed. Wouldn't having it criminal foster genuine discussion for the best ideas and legislation, and at the same time curb corruption?
That's not how it works.
It's not like lobbyists go into legislators' offices and say, "we'll give you a million dollars to vote for x." They go in and explain their clients' concerns regarding the legislation, and possible ways to fix it. Campaign stuff is after business hours.
They said lobbyists are in a frenzy, getting all kinds of shit added to the upcoming massive bill, stuff that does almost nothing for the American people. Yeah, it's a job, but they're still scum.
Lobbying, as currently practiced today, is indeed highly corrupting.
However, there needs to be some way for people to talk to legislators to air concerns and propose laws.
Ideally, some way to do that without corrupting.