I was having a discussion with a right-leaning reader of this blog about lobbying. She is the very first person on the right I have ever seen with the integrity to stand-up against lobbying.
Every Republican in Congress for DECADES has stated that lobbying is protected a First Amendment activity under the first amendment as both free speech, and a right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Two letters come to mind: B.S.
This is exactly the same issue as my Corporatocracy post. Just as unregulated Capitalism cannibalizes itself into exclusive monopolies (which kill Capitalism), so does unregulated purchased speech cannibalize free speech. Lobbying is a purchased one-on-one with Congress, (either to say what the lobbyist wants to say, or redress grievances) that individuals don’t have.
The Corpratocrat prefers a monarchy (In modern terms, a dictatorship). The Corporations are “nobility” (in fact, that is exactly who the “nobility” were in European monarchies, big business!). The nobility support the monarch, in exchange for exclusive access to lobby him, and create government policy that benefits their agendas. I guarantee you that nobility in England under King George had no problem with free speech OR the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. It’s everyone ELSE that needed those rights.
Our last President, who pushed Corporatocracy beyond any other President in U.S. History said:
If this was a dictatorship it would be a heck of a lot easier … just as long as I am the dictator.
I have said that on the RECEIVING end, there is a lot more Corporatocracy on the Republican side, only because there is just not a lot of money to be made on Democratic causes. Dems in Congress almost equal the Corporatocracy of Republicans in Congress because, to stay in power, they support Republican causes (i.e. John Murtha – Defense, Max Baucus – Big Pharma, Health Insurance)
But on the LOBBYING side???? EVERYONE DOES IT!
- The church you go to? Probably has a lobbyist
- The non-profit charity you donate to? Probably has a lobbyist
- The union you pay your dues to? Almost CERTAINLY has a lobbyist
- The company that makes the product you buy at the store? Probably has a lobbyist
- The company that has a vertical monopoly on the oil business that sells a finished gasoline product to your local gas station? You BET they have a lobbyist (several)!
- Your Physician? Has a lobbyist (collectively through the AMA) (Women, your gynecologist has a lobbyist! (not personally, but collectively))
- Your Health Insurance Company? Yep!
- The company that makes your medications? You bet!
- Every industry that pollutes our air and water? ABSOLUTELY!!!
The question is… What to do about it? Everyone says “I wouldn’t do it, if everyone else stopped doing it!”
The lobbyist gets a one-on-one meeting with a member of Congress. The rest of us have to send letters.
One thing would help is if we had access to ALL members of Congress’ schedules and all of their official (non-classified) email. (After all, they work for US!) As our President wisely says – “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.”
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10 sec – Jul 17, 2006 -
I f this was a dictatorship it would be a heck of a lot easier … just as long as I am the dictator. |
