Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

I have a proposition: Lets eliminate or demonize the term "lobbying"

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU
 
Xicano Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-07-09 04:24 PM
Original message
I have a proposition: Lets eliminate or demonize the term "lobbying"
I think we all who make up the Democratic rank and file should make it a rule not to use the word "lobbying". Lobbying is only a propagandistic term created to give the criminal act of bribery the appearance of legitimacy.

We should make every effort to turn that word into what it is - treason against democracy and an affront to the founders of this nation.



Peace,
Xicano
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
Better Today Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-07-09 04:31 PM
Response to Original message
1. Sounds good, but they're are some good lobbies too, or at least could
be construed as a full blown lobby.

NEA for teachers

Labor unions

AARP for retired.

so many more that wouldn't deserve the demonization.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Xicano Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-07-09 04:43 PM
Response to Reply #1
5. Good point.
I did think about that, but, I see those you've listed as more like attempts to "counter lobby" wall streeters. And since we the working class far out number the corporate class. If we were to eliminate lobbying, the pendulum of power would swing back into the hands it belongs to - we the people.

Case in point: Labor unions spent several millions of dollars "lobbying" President Clinton not to sign NAFTA. It didn't matter because wall street easily out spends us.



Peace,
Xicano




Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-07-09 04:34 PM
Response to Original message
2. One of my sisters is a lobbyist- for NRDC
she's spent the last 15 years fighting for people and the environment. And yet according to you, she's a traitor and an affront to the founders.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Brickbat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-07-09 04:37 PM
Response to Original message
3. I'm not crazy about a lot of lobbying, but there are definitely lobbies and lobbyists I support.
So, not so much.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
StarfarerBill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-07-09 04:40 PM
Response to Original message
4. I agree that corporate lobbying should be banned,
but as other replies here have noted there are many lobbyists who serve righteous causes.

Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Better Today Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-07-09 07:46 PM
Response to Reply #4
8. Good choice of discriminating terminology. Community lobbies = good ; corporate lobbies = bad
Edited on Mon Dec-07-09 07:46 PM by Better Today
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
unabelladonna Donating Member (483 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-07-09 04:54 PM
Response to Original message
6. whoring
Edited on Mon Dec-07-09 04:55 PM by unabelladonna
is a more appropriate word....but we're the ones getting screwed. outlaw it all.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
spanone Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-07-09 04:55 PM
Response to Original message
7. let's call it what it is...blackmailing congresspersons...quid pro quo...pay for play
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Fri Apr 26th 2024, 07:02 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC