In Defense of Lobbyists

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Simple solution: All lobbying must be conducted in a public forum, with no private meetings or contact with individual congressmen. A significant portion of Congressional sessions will be dedicated to hearing lobbyists in the Senate and House, in full view of CSPAN cameras. This would not be a violation of the 1st Amendment; witnesses and attorneys in a trial are not allowed to have private contact with jurors, a rule designed to avoid corruption and conflicts of interest. Any American would still be allowed to write, email, or call their representatives. The only difference would be that corporations and other wealthy organizations would no longer be permitted a privileged level of private, undocumented contact with elected officials. And that would be a HUGE difference.

jamies of AZ 3:05PM October 08, 2011

" -citizens affected by those words are going to try to make sure they're written the way they want. They're going to hire the best people they can find to do so. They want lobbyists with connections—and with expertise. They can help lawmakers understand how the words they write will affect "real Americans."
You obviously have no clue about 'real Americans'. The vast majority of the citizens in this country don't have the resources to compete with corporations in order to have their voices heard. I know you can't be naive enough to think that lobbying today has anything to do with the wishes of the average American. Lobbying, today, is all about the spending of money by corporations and special interest groups with the money to insure that their interests are looked out for so that they can make even more money. Meanwhile, 'real Americans' will continue to get the shaft.

Louis Packer of NM 11:35AM March 16, 2011

We couldn't abolish lobbying without repealing the First Amendment, which gives all of us, even those who are paid to do it, the right to "petition the government for a redress of grievances." And the government could not sensibly do business without lobbyists.
This is simply not true! I have no problem with people petitioning the government for a redress of grievances, but where in the first amendment does it say that you need to send money in order for the petition to be heard. The truth is a govt without lobbying would be an inconvenience to your bank account!

Michael Winters of CA 8:43PM December 26, 2010

We couldn't abolish lobbying without repealing the First Amendment, which gives all of us, even those who are paid to do it, the right to "petition the government for a redress of grievances." And the government could not sensibly do business without lobbyists.
Michael you are in fact a leech! CORPORATIONS are NOT people!! Therefore they dont get to enjoy the Constitution! IDIOT!

julie stanislawski of FL 5:40AM June 12, 2010

If I had terminal cancer and no hope of survival, I would make it a point on one of my last days of existence, to buy a wheelchair and hunt this and the other thieves of taxpayer dollars (yes, they essentially are stealing from taxpayers), like shooting wild vermin.

Kill the Lobbyists of PA 11:13PM March 17, 2010

Why is'nt lobbying world wide made illegal ? Lobbying means if you have money you can influence governmental decisions , this is not even democratic .
Lobbying is a form of corruption.
Yet no government doea anything about it , because they use this system during election etc

PG 11:11PM December 24, 2009

Google this parasite's name and see what you get - he's a money puppet without a spine, seeking to promote the leeches that feed him. A parasite of the parasites is a despicable thing.

Howard of MN 10:14PM August 04, 2009

blah blah blah - keep talking and talking - simply put, lobbying is corruption - pay for power, because what you want isn't necessarily what The People want, in spite of the fact that the politicians are employees of The People.

Jay of OH 10:07PM August 04, 2009

The notion" That the failure to produce legislation in the public interest stems from the exisitence of lobbists" is not nonsense as you stated. On the contrary, I belive most Americans see Lobbists and the money they provide to politicans as a major cause of the courruption of our system of government.

Michael J Grab of 4:59PM July 13, 2008

I, just me, with one single solitary vote, can never, ever have the effect, clout or even a faint voice which compares with theeffect, loud voice and deafening shout of a lobbyist organization. The entire premise of the article is ludicrous. Back in the day of Pres. Ulysses Grant, when the term "lobbyist" was coined in reference to those who sought the President's ear after dinner in the hotel lobby, when the President was traveling...it wasn't so bad. It was just individuals (some representing groups), wanting to make sure there side was heard. Nowadays, it's huge organizations such as AMA, NRA, etc. to name a few, who have highly paid people (some former legislators and cabinet officials) who wield great cash-influencing power... and who expect something in return. do I need to go on...?

R. Vince Morgan of AZ 5:16PM July 08, 2008