Lobbying Is Democracy in Action

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  • Posted By: cpt. freedom @ 12/15/2008 3:27:34 AM

    R.J.S. Your thesis seems to be that lobbying is some kind of level playing field in which all of our interests are more or less equally represented. Until such a time that our elected officials are prevented from receiving anything of worth from lobbyists we must disavow ourselves of the notion that we live in a democracy. $$$ = free speech = tyranny.

    • Posted By: Generic Person @ 12/16/2008 2:00:24 AM

      We don't live in a Democracy, we live in a Republic.
      Have you ever heard of the 'Tyranny of the Majority'? (cough* prop 8 cough*)
      I suppose the Mcain Feigngold act and our Alaskan Senator being held trial didn't factor into that equation?

  • Posted By: Mwalimu @ 12/15/2008 1:25:38 AM

    The rich are lobbying to get out of paying taxes. They also get all the goodies,and contrary to Samuelson's disingenious alabis, this is the government of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich. They have made billions of dollars from the war in Iraq - and their children aren't doing any of the fighting. (That includes Samuelson's son, as well.) The rich have brought us the Iraqi war, the national debt, and the economic meltdown. They need to be billed for the costs. The top 1%, the Rupert Mordocks,the Cindy McCains, the Dick Cheneys, and the Sam Waltons could easily pay 90% of their salaries in taxes and still have more than enough to live on.
    Jesus told the rich man to "sell all you have and give to the poor." We're supposed to be a Christian country, so why can't we ask the rich to do the same. Does Robert Samuelson have anything against Jesus?

    • Posted By: Generic Person @ 12/16/2008 1:53:37 AM

      This is an assumption. You have failed to bring reliable facts to support your argument, just assumptions and reiterations of romantic stories from people who are payed to sell a story.

      It seems reasonable that the Government would be ruled by money, as greed is human nature, but if you remove your assumptions, your beliefs, and acknowledge facts from both side of the argument, you see that it's not as bad as it's painted out to be.

      You say the Government is for the rich, an assumption, but they pay most of the taxes and receive only part of the benefits. You want to know where the money goes, watch I.O.U.S.A.

      People like the author of this article have only incentive to sell a story, not support allegedly corrupt Government whose money they never see a cent of.

  • Posted By: Italian Revolutionary @ 12/15/2008 3:30:37 PM

    Robert, Robert, Robert:

    Your mom told you not to mess with the Chronosyncrastic Infidibulum in the basement. While I read your column with a certain glee, akin to a heckler at seminar given by a bunch of dypsoid, dyspeptic ideologues, this latest puppy has completely ruined the carpet in your office. William Greider, in his 1992 book "Who Will Tell the People" blew your thesis into the weeds. Lobbying is Democracy in action? Tell me the percentage of average citizens who have a well organized program for lobbying the Congress? Why do so many lobbyists write the laws that will affect their clients? How is it that the public can be 75% against a measure [bailing out the auto manufacturers, giving $700 billion to the hacks, shills, and felons who got us into this mess] and yet the Congress and Executive branch ignore the will of the people and continue to favor lobbyist's clients. Was it Democracy in Action when the Exxon Valdiz incident resulted in punitive damages one tenth of its original size?

    In the words of His Highness, Bugs Bunny, "You sir, are a moroon." Take six Ex-lax. stand on your head for 48 hours, and maybe, just maybe, you can clean the crap out of your brain. Feh!

    • Posted By: Generic Person @ 12/16/2008 1:36:39 AM

      Thanks for the chore by the way, there are plenty of interest groups that represent the interest of the 'average people' The article named three, I can name a couple off the top of my head: the NRA, The Concord Coalition, MADD.

      Here's the list:
      http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/kfountain/

      The point is, everyone's there. Think of an interest held by more than 5% of the population, then prove it doesn't have an interest group, and I'll concede to your argument.

      Sure 75% of the nation was against the bailout, but arguably the bailout was for the betterment of the economy and thus the nation. The majority is not always correct, we are not a Democracy but a Republic.

      You've cited examples, but examples don't technically prove anything.

      Your overall argument is sound, but your acting as though it disproves the article via some kind of irrefutable evidence. Again, it's a sound opinion, but it should not be treated as fact.

  • Posted By: Chaotician @ 12/15/2008 11:20:04 PM

    Presenting a view or arguing a point to pursuade a congressman of ones desires may be democracy in action; but buying congressional votes with favors, campaign contributions, and outright bribes is something else! If their intention is to "lobby" then there is no problem with removing the right of any corporation, professi0onal "lobbyists, or pass associtaes from providing any services, financial "gifts", or any other material support for any politician or any government worker...especuially ex-generals and politicians. Limiting contributions to $2000 per candidate per election cycle by only legal, live human residents of the area being represented; will not prevent legitimate discussion and advocation of ones views!

  • Posted By: dmcanova @ 12/15/2008 9:28:29 PM

    Thanks for pointing out that "lobbying" is not a dirty word. I'm proud of my 20 years' service as a public interest lobbyist. If it weren't for committed and active citzens, we would not have saved thousands of lives using seatbelts; stopped tobacco industry marketing to U.S. children; made automatic defibrillators available in public places; provided funding for alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment instead of more prisons; doubled research funding to unlock new knowledge about cancer, heart disease, alzheimer's, etc. These "special interests" aren't measured by Gucci shoes and elite privileges. These lobbying battles were won in the open by citzen advocates.

  • Posted By: sharkman @ 12/15/2008 8:49:04 PM

    Lets influence our politicians to do what is good for the people who need them in their districts.Americans lets come together and crush these pukes who have taken down our constitution for money.We need long prison terms for all the sellouts.Or a short rope.

  • Posted By: sieg6529 @ 12/15/2008 3:02:04 PM

    While I agree that lobbying is here to stay, there needs to be stricter rules on what is permissible. These lobbyists still have many tools at there disposal besides persuasive arguments and facts to win the votes they want.

  • Posted By: Oldsalt76 @ 12/15/2008 10:13:17 AM

    Bobby boy ... are you stoned? or just so beholdened to the system that you feel compelled to use your position to defend the un-pardonable? Everyone understands the "one man's ceiling is another man's floor" deal; just like we understand that $$$ buys access ... what the People object to is when $$$ buy decisions that ignore the commonweal. This last concept, that of the greatest good for the largest portion of the citizenry, is something that lobbying in its contemporay borderline-gansta state dies not recognize.

  • Posted By: fedorovingtonboop @ 12/15/2008 12:12:29 AM

    yeah right, if the RESULTS were fair then lobbying wouldn't be a problem. robert, you know very well the results of lobbying are far from democratic. spoken like a true economist.

  • Posted By: YashBudini @ 12/14/2008 3:20:22 PM

    Lobying is the death of democracy. Serve the people in their best interest. If the politician doesn't know what that is then they never should have run for office. Lobbying is pure greedy supported by money. Its how the rich get counted more than the average guy.

  • Posted By: charlywall @ 12/13/2008 12:48:27 PM

    Let's be frank about it. The Abrmoff case is just the tip of a great iceburg. Lobying is certainly a democratic institution, but is it conducted in a sufficiently open manner so as to allay any fears of illegal horse trading
    Charly Wallace, Greece

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