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Would you advocate the abolition of lobbying in our government? Why or why not?
Would it not stand to reason that if our 'elected officials' did not have to contend with corporate politics detracting from their governing efforts that they may be able to perform more efficiently?
@EvettaLamore: While that is an excellent point, your broad interpretation of term and question renders your response... shall we say, redundant? In following your line of logic, voting is a form of lobbying. Allow me to clarify: a corporate lobby who introduces private fiscal interests to the operation of our government. Would you agree that these would impede the general functon of our government?
@communitymatters: all of these things could easily have been achieved without lobbies. In fact, as 'The Solution' pointed out, lobbies end up with special access to our government that citizens typically don't have. Without lobbies as an obstacle, the people might have that same kind of access to their government.
@TheSolution: I think the real reason that a lobby for a Georgia-based corporation would have access to an Alaskan representative is because most companies aren't confined to a single state. Therefore, the rationale behind it is that they require access to all the areas they affect. Of course, this still doesn't address the problem of the special priority that lobbies get over the citizens.
7 Answers
- KenLv 610 years agoFavorite Answer
Yes. Lobbyists should not recive anymore attention than normal citizens. Of course the politicians will say they do not. Uh huh.
- ?Lv 710 years ago
I know there is the Whole "are corporations people, too" deal...and everyone has a right to try to get the rules made for their benefit....
But the whole thing about LOBBYISTS, that yank my crank is Special Access. They get preferred access to our representatives that we, as voters and constituents don't. Why should some Corporate Lobbyist from Georgia get 1 on 1 time with my Alaska Senator, when I can't even get an e-mail response to valid inquiries?
If you own a company or corporation, you should only get to "lobby" the Representativesthat represents the district your business is in. So you can let them know as your representative how to vote for you.
That would help I think.
- ?Lv 710 years ago
Absolutely not.
I've been liobbying for nearly 30 years.
I have never given any legislator anything more than a stack of papers and a handshake.
Lobbying brought YOU civil rights, strict drunk-driving laws, environmental protection, the minimum wage, workplace health and safety laws, clean food, drug, and water laws, and every bit of consumer protection that exists.
You have no frikkin clue what you're babbling about.
- MzCalypsoLv 710 years ago
I would advocate the abolition of paid lobbyists. If a group of citizens chooses to take time off from their daily lives to go talk to their representatives, they should be allowed to.
But high-priced bribemeisters? They should be banned. And any legislator caught taking anything, money or gifts, should be expelled.
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- john aLv 610 years ago
Yes because Lobbyist hurt America by pushing their agenda not what is best for America. That includes all lobbyist union ones too.
- Anonymous10 years ago
Of course not. Our govt already lives in a vacuum, completely separated and out of touch with the citizens.
Lobbying is merely a private entity asking the govt for something. When you demand an end to lobbying, you are lobbying yourself.
When you sign a petition and send it to the govt, you are lobbying.
- JayLv 710 years ago
I'm against limited freedom of speech. But I'm definitely for limitations on what can be purchased by a lobbyist for a candidate or active politician. No "throwing a benefit in your name" or golf games.
