Lobbyists

[Mr. Dictator]

I was just thinking (because of another thread) why lobbying is still legal.

We all know that they just fund politicians to get their way and yet they still do business.

Why is it still legal? Are there any honest pros to the cons? Would you support lobbying being made illegal?

 

[DNK]

Well, I think some groups benefit society by using lobbying, ACLU, AI, etc, come to mind. Still, it will tend towards the wealthiest getting most of the influence, and I don't see an easy way to change this with the current lobbying system, but maybe I'm wrong.

If only there were some way the citizens could affect policy without the intermediaries. Like a voting system of some sort...

 

[Mr. Dictator]

Well, I think some groups benefit society by using lobbying, ACLU, AI, etc, come to mind. Still, it will tend towards the wealthiest getting most of the influence, and I don't see an easy way to change this with the current lobbying system, but maybe I'm wrong.

If only there were some way the citizens could affect policy without the intermediaries. Like a voting system of some sort...

oh, i know.

but if only lobbyists could be...idk, cut off in certain areas or just resigned to local government (though that may do even more damage)

 

[pacesplace]

One pro: NAMBLA can have a say. I shudder to think what would happen to the man-boy love movement around the world if lobbying becomes illegal.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

One pro: NAMBLA can have a say. I shudder to think what would happen to the man-boy love movement around the world if lobbying becomes illegal.

well, people would still have a say.

politicians would listen to the people because they would have to rely on them for campaign donations, not some sleazy guy who's pushing for god knows what.

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

lobbying undermines democracy.

 

[Yoda Power]

You know there are good sides of lobbying too. The sensationalist media just focuses on the bad stuff.

When I visited the European Parliament in Brussels last year, a good example was presented to me. It concerned REACH. Here the industry provided good information about chemicals to the politicians, who mostly don't know anything about the technical chemistry stuff.

Yes the chemical companies have an agenda, but it's so obvious that most politicians can see right through it.

I'm not saying that lobbying only have good side effects, but making it illegal would simply be too costful, since it will result in loosing thousands of technical experts.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

You know there are good sides of lobbying too. The sensationalist media just focuses on the bad stuff.

When I visited the European Parliament in Brussels last year, a good example was presented to me. It concerned REACH. Here the industry provided good information about chemicals to the politicians, who mostly don't know anything about the technical chemistry stuff.

Yes the chemical companies have an agenda, but it's so obvious that most politicians can see right through it.

I'm not saying that lobbying only have good side effects, but making it illegal would simply be too costful, since it will result in loosing thousands of technical experts.

but surely there is a way to keep this good side and root out the vermin.

for instance, what would a big oil company need a technical expert to inform politicians for? why not a simple memo sent to the politicians instead of filthy rats all currying favour?

 

[Yoda Power]

but surely there is a way to keep this good side and root out the vermin.

for instance, what would a big oil company need a technical expert to inform politicians for? why not a simple memo sent to the politicians instead of filthy rats all currying favour?

I'm not 100% sure I understand you, but it's certainly easier and faster (thus more effective) to have a discussion, where the politicians can ask the expert questions, instead of just reading a memo.

 

[Atlas14]

After watching Thank You For Smoking I have gained respect for lobbyists. That could have been the opposite intention of the movie, but hey, thats what I got out of it.

 

[Che Guava]

I don't think there's anything wrong with lobbying in a democracy, it seems like quite a natural way to get government to interact with different segments of society. As long as the process is transparent (and there does need to be some work done here) I don't see anything wrong with someone hiring a professional to plead thier case...

 

[TheDervish]

You folks are aware that lobbyists are not just limited to the wealthy, right?

I think they are good to have when all other avenues are blocked and you need to get your point across regarding key issues.

 

[Ecofarm]

Ever heard of the "bipartisan campaign reform act of 2002"? It limits the amount of money that an organization can give - shifting donations to the individual level, caping the amount, and making it much more transparent.

Bush signed the bill, with reservations, on 27 March. In an official statement, he said "I believe that this legislation, although far from perfect, will improve the current financing system for Federal campaigns".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipartisan_Campaign_Reform_Act

 

[downtown]

People who voted to ban lobbying simply do not know very much about how government works.

Our policitians depend of lobbyists to provide useful, and accurate infomation on almost everything, since their staffs are too small, (and they dont have enough time) to research every issue. It is in the lobbying group's interest to NOT provide . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . info, because if the politician ever found out, the lobbyist loses "acsess", and becomes worthless.

Lobbying is not just for the wealthy, although there is an institutional bias towards business groups in lobbying (welfare moms, for example, cannot band together to have an extra voice in congress, whereas most trade groups can), but the process has become much more transparent.

Banning lobbying will eliminate citizen's ability to influence their government after elections, and in the long run, make things less democratic.

What you need to do it make sure that the process is transparent, and that the institutional biases are limited

(poster is helping write a book on lobbying)

 

[joycem10]

Getting a job as a lobbyist is my dream. Schmoozing, partying, and golfing mixed up with the statutory process.

God it would be great.

 

[Phlegmak]

lobbying undermines democracy.

I thought you were profascism???

 

[Tenochtitlan]

After watching Thank You For Smoking I have gained respect for lobbyists. That could have been the opposite intention of the movie, but hey, thats what I got out of it.

Even that Vermont lobbyist who wanted to put that image on the smoke packets?

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

After watching Thank You For Smoking I have gained respect for lobbyists. That could have been the opposite intention of the movie, but hey, thats what I got out of it.

I loved that movie, and wanted to become a lobbyist after that. That job looks so fun.

 

[Lockesdonkey]

To ban lobbying outright would both be a limitation on the right to petition the Congress (yes, for "redress of grievances," but the courts are clear on that being ridiculously broad), and denial of access to smaller organizations that lobby (honorable organizations that stand for law and civil rights have lobbyists), but strict limitations--forbidding what kinds of things that lobbyists are allowed to do, for instance--would be an excellent idea. I would probably ban the from intentionally seeing Members of Congress outside of designated areas and times.

 

[Whomp]

AARP is considered the most powerful lobby in the US and represents a group that needs it, old folks.

AIPAC is second then AFL-CIO, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Association of Trial Lawyers, the National Rifle Association, the Christian Coalition, the American Medical Association, and the National Education Association, Realtors, bankers, manufacturers, government employees, the National Chamber of Commerce, Veterans of Foreign Wars, farmers, filmmakers, homebuilders and broadcasters.

What I think is out of line is AIPAC (known as "The Lobby") is the only one of these that has very little to do with domestic issues. What's up with that? This lobby influences foreign policy and I don't think that area needs representation. Governments should handle their own diplomacy and not be influenced by a lobby.