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Location: Democratic Peoples Republic of Redneckistan
11,078 posts, read 15,080,865 times
Reputation: 3937
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The average U.S. voter's interests have been ignored forever while issues concerning any big business or group with deep pockets seems to buy a vote on issues concerning THEM.
Do you feel that ANY lobbying should be forbidden OR is there a good side to lobbying that many of us are unaware of and it should be allowed to continue as is or in a reformed way?
Lobbying has become synonymous with bribery. It should be totally outlawed when money or favors come into play. It is insane. We have to reform campaign finance.
Congress people don't even read the bills they vote on they need some one to help them. There are generally lobbyists on both sides of an issue politicians can take money from which ever side they agree with. Many lobbying groups lobby directly for you. Many industries have PACS that lobby on their behalf. Lobbying is a neccessary evil.
Ban it all, in every form. If an industry or a company want a tax break or loophole implemented, let them submit that for PUBLIC review and discussion, so that "the greatest deliberative body on earth" can OPENLY discuss it, with PUBLIC participation, as should be done in a democracy. As it is now, thousands of smoky-back-room deals are made every year and stuck into pieces of legislation that are nothing but Christmas trees of special interest gifts.
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Location: Democratic Peoples Republic of Redneckistan
11,078 posts, read 15,080,865 times
Reputation: 3937
Quote:
Originally Posted by shorebaby
Congress people don't even read the bills they vote on they need some one to help them. There are generally lobbyists on both sides of an issue politicians can take money from which ever side they agree with. Many lobbying groups lobby directly for you. Many industries have PACS that lobby on their behalf. Lobbying is a neccessary evil.
So if I understand you correctly,it's kind of like big money gamblers continually "buying the pot" even if they are holding nothing and the other guy(U.S. taxpayers in this little fantasy) have a full house but are flat ass broke and have it all on the table already....just because the lobbyist have the bigger money,then they should get the vote? In a roundabout way that is what I get from your post that I have outlined in red...And YOU agree with that as a "neccesary" evil?
That's an evil I can do without as a voter and a taxpayer.
Any entity be it person, corporation or industry advocate has the right to make their case regarding legislation, i.e. to 'lobby' in favor or against. What's really the crux of the issue, IMO, is people don't like that those with money have more access to power. Well welcome to life. It aint fair. To ban lobbying because you don't like the postion of those opposed to legislation is a violation of the First Ammendment and should not be a topic for discussion.
So if I understand you correctly,it's kind of like big money gamblers continually "buying the pot" even if they are holding nothing and the other guy(U.S. taxpayers in this little fantasy) have a full house but are flat ass broke and have it all on the table already....just because the lobbyist have the bigger money,then they should get the vote? In a roundabout way that is what I get from your post that I have outlined in red...And YOU agree with that as a "neccesary" evil?
That's an evil I can do without as a voter and a taxpayer.
No not big money gamblers it is citizens who have opinions on issues. For example, there is a pro life lobby and a pro choice lobby. People contribute to the side they believe in and they speak to the politicins on our behalf.
There is a good side to lobbying, even citizens can lobby their own representatives.
When most people think of "lobbying" they think of their Senator being treated to a very expensive dinner by someone who has views in opposition of most Americans, say maybe someone who represents an oil company who wants the United States to relax their environmental policies.
I think there should be more restrictions on Senators receiving cash, gifts, etc from lobbyists and if that can't be done, there should be strict penalties for not reporting these gifts, cash gifts, dinners, etc.
Location: Democratic Peoples Republic of Redneckistan
11,078 posts, read 15,080,865 times
Reputation: 3937
Quote:
Originally Posted by shorebaby
No not big money gamblers it is citizens who have opinions on issues. For example, there is a pro life lobby and a pro choice lobby. People contribute to the side they believe in and they speak to the politicins on our behalf.
NO....as a "citizen" your chance of being heard is ZERO unless you have BIG money or donate to a group who lobbys an agenda for you,but M.A.D.D.(now basically a "ho" for the insurance companies) and others have the ears of the politicians.
I do not see that as fair regardless of what anyone says.I think it should be totally banned and severe penalties imposed for anyone on the public coffers who takes ANY gratuities from ANYONE..
The average U.S. voter's interests have been ignored forever while issues concerning any big business or group with deep pockets seems to buy a vote on issues concerning THEM.
Do you feel that ANY lobbying should be forbidden OR is there a good side to lobbying that many of us are unaware of and it should be allowed to continue as is or in a reformed way?
Reform the practice, but not outlaw it. Had it not been for members of military "lobbies", Obama may have let legislation be entered re: private insurance paying for veteran combat injuries. ALL lobbist are not BAD,...only those who use obscene gifts and money to sway a vote.
To deprive voters of paid/unpaid lobbyists is to eliminate a voice about legislation that adversely affects them. Anyone who has an organization to protect their interests, and sends either paid or unpaid representatives with informantion that could affect legislation is not inherently bad.
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