Time Warner Spent Nearly $1.8M Lobbying

[Robbien]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON -

Media conglomerate Time Warner Inc. spent nearly $1.8 million in the first half of 2007 to lobby the federal government, according to a disclosure form.

The New York-based company lobbied on a number of issues, including high-speed Internet access, digital television, cybersecurity, and visa and patent reforms, according to the form posted online Aug. 14 by the Senate's public records office.

The company lobbied Congress, the Federal Communication Commission, U.S. Trade Representative's office, Commerce Department and other agencies.

Read more: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/24/ap4053335.html

[Demeter]

1. I Didn't Know It Was Possible To Lobby a Regulatory Agency

The latest in corruption?

[napi21]

2. Well, isn't that what WE were doing when we sent emails to the FCC?

I know that's what I was doing when I sent the email to the Falcon's owner re: Vick.

I think a lot of people don't realize what lobbying really is!

It's ONLY trying to persuade someone in power somewhere to do something YOU want.

I HATE the idea that some lobbyists "BRIBE" those in charge to their side, but in all fairness, the name "lobbyist" has gotten the same bad rap that liberal did.

[Demeter]

3. But We Aren't Corporations

We are the people, not the imaginary people.

[Robbien]

5. What is even worse is when a federal regulatory agency lobbies a state

As when the EPA lobbied the State of California on behalf of industry. California wanted to toughen up its pollution laws and the EPA spread money around California state legislators in order to get their support to stop it.

We lobby with our words and blood, sweat and tears. The government uses our money to lobby against us. Our taxes used to hand out "bribes".

[EST]

4. Lobbying IS bribery.

Mind experiment:
If there is absolutely zero quid pro quo, how come it is that well-heeled lobbyists give money to specific individuals and parties?
They do it because, contrary to all the claims made by both the receiving politicians and the lobbyists/corporatomaniacs, there is a bribe and the recipients of that bribe money know damn good and well where the bread comes from, how much, how well disguised and how that compares to what everybody else got. You can also bet they - the congress people - know to a decimal point exactly what the lobbyists want, After all, they have closed door meetings with them as well as the numerous contacts between staff and lobbyists, as they write legislation for the "members."

How well that bribe is camouflaged is very important; mustn't have the ethics committee put into an embarrassing position of explaining to the public why they haven't nailed somebody's ass to a tree.

If lobbyists gave the exact same "tokens" to every single member of congress and nothing special for staffers, perhaps their protestations would carry some weight with a cynical critic.

Otherwise, otherwise.

[unkachuck]

6. shit....

"...Time Warner Inc. spent nearly $1.8 million in the first half of 2007 to lobby the federal government,..."

....$1.8 million is chump change for these large mega-corporations....and when you consider what they get for this money, it's a super bargin....

....I wish that our crooked elected officials and public servants would at least get a fair price when they sell our government....

[SayWhatYo]

7. heh, they also beg their employees to deduct money from their pay to help with the lobbying.

I was shocked.

[Robbien]

8. True, or at least they did when they were fighting net neutrality

that I am aware of.

The K Street Project has grown into a mighty monster.

[SayWhatYo]

9. If I recall correctly I believe that's what it was for.

[badgervan]

10. Now We Know...

... where that "service charge" on our cable bills goes to.