Lobbying..The root of most evil??????

[Little Star]

This question has been bugging me for days now. I would like to hear what you all think of lobbying.

I think it may be one of the most damaging things for our democracy. We all wonder why our congress members remain silent instead of being a true opposition party. Maybe lobbying is the answer to that question. I do not think this is just a democratic problem. It ruins any chance of a transparent government (for all Americans) because there is too much money for each party and each individual person/candidate. This government does not work for any of us they work for the lobbies.

Perhaps we should try to use this issue to unite people or am I just dreaming? How many things would be solved if there was no such thing a lobbying?

I have to go out shopping now and hope when I return you will have been kind enough to give me some constructive input on this issue.

Thanks ahead of time
:shrug:

[texpatriot2004]

1. Here's a fairly recent thread I started on the subject

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2176909

[Little Star]

4. Sorry Texpatriot2004

I would have replied to you from your own post but I do not have access to that option yet. I was so glad to see that I am not the only one with this subject on my mind.

I really feel that this needs to be worked on. "They" need to be stopped (the lobbyists, the parties and the congress persons). I am to old to see this stopped in my life time but maybe my grandchildren would see the day if we started working on it now.

I need to understand about the practice just like you were making the point in your original post.

This is something that the people from both parties would want
(I think). I know that it is a daunting task and would take a few life times if it could be stopped at all. I truly believe that the Dem's should be the ones to use this issue. Can it be started?????

[msongs]

2. only individual humans should be able to give money to hacks

only individual humans can register and vote, therefore only individual humans should be able to provide funds/considerations. NO groups of 2 or more should be allowed to give money/considerations to any politicians.

guess that leaves out lobbyists and corporations. not much hope this will happen as the dems are as bad as the repubs on this grafting.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[punpirate]

3. Having met a few professional lobbyists...

... for corporations, I find them, as a class, to be slightly less honorable than street hustlers, pimps and child molesters.

Right now, as far as I'm concerned, they are legal bag men. I think of myself as reasonably open-minded and honest, but out of sheer spite, if one collapsed on the pavement in front of me clutching his chest, it would take some effort to resist the urge to take his wallet, kick him in the balls and walk away.

Other than that, they don't interest me much.

[welshTerrier2]

5. lobbying is little more than legalized bribery

one could make a case for given each and every citizen the right to go to Washington to help educate elected officials on issues important to them ... perhaps one might even argue that business should be permitted to make its case ...

but the current system is totally out of control ... tens of thousands of paid lobbyists with billions and billions of dollars to spend on the "right" people have invested our government ...

an ideal system would give each and every citizen an equal voice ... that's not necessarily very practical ... but to allow big money to drown out the voices of most Americans and to allow our government to be sold to the highest bidder is unconscionable ...

free speech is fine; allowing paid lobbyists to speak louder and more often than the rest of us is not ...

i think paid lobbyists should be banned ... it should be a crime ... it's way past time we got rid of these weasels ... we cannot expect a government of, by and for the people when the big money is flowing in the halls of the our government and virtually every politician desperately needs to compete for funds to remain in office ...

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Lobbying in general is a good thing

I lobby. It is my right as a citizen. Those elected representatives are supposed to be serving my interests.

Maybe you should distinguish between lobbying and bribing public officials. :)

[Little Star]

7. Thanks Proud2Blib

What is the difference? I am not being sarcastic I really want to understand.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. We all have the right to lobby

I go to my state capitol a couple times a year and talk to my legislators.

On the other hand, there are professional lobbyists who do it for a living. The school district I work for employs a lobbyist. So do unions and lots of other organizations.

DeLay made a name for himself by manipulating lobbyists in DC. He promised to vote for their causes if they supported and contributed to Republican candidates and causes. DeLay's replacement as House Speaker, Roy Blunt from MO, is either dating or married to a tobacco lobbyist.

Google 'K Street'. You should be able to learn more about lobbyists somewhere on the internet.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. Here is something I found that might interest you

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2003/0307.confessore.html

[Little Star]

12. Thanks again Proud

Tomorrow I will look into both of those avenues you suggested.

[Berserker]

11. Is there a difference?

This is something that needs to be stopped. I read on DU a couple of weeks back where someone suggested that if you are lobbied by lets say EXXON you should have to wear a EXXON patch on your suit. I think this way the American people would see what they are voting for. But then most of the politicians would look like Nascar drivers.

[LostInAnomie]

10. I don't find lobbying that objectionable.

People should be able to organize into groups and apply political pressure to politicians. This is their right as guaranteed by the Constitution.

What I have a problem with is the use of political donations that usually accompanies lobbying. When certain groups or industries are allowed to make huge political donations it gives them too much undue influence. A politician who needs funds to run campaigns is far more likely to obey paying constituents than those who cannot afford to pay. This is derailing democracy in my opinion.

This is why I think that the maximum political donation that a person or a group should be allowed to make is $1.

[Little Star]

13. OK

Maybe I just used the wrong wording. I have homework to do tomorrow from Proud but I feel the bribery part is probably not a good thing to leave for our children and grandchildren to fight. It will take a very long time because our own leaders will be against it. They too like the payoff.