Lobbying

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Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence legislators. While it is necessary, right to petition and all, it can occasionally serve special interests and not what's best for the people. Lobbyists often push anti-science positions, as well as donate to politicians who hold those views. On the flip-side, it's useful for grassroots organizations or minorities who want their views represented.

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[edit] United States

Lobbying is a billion-dollar industry that heavily influences the Senate and House of Representatives. Many, many former congresspeople use a "revolving door" to lobby after they get booted from office. Conflict of interest? What's that?

Many of the pundits and positions which invoke climate change denialism are influenced by lobbying efforts. Big corporations, including food companies such as McDonald's and Coca-Cola, invest in advocacy groups for lobbying. One such group is the Center for Consumer Freedom, which advocates for fast food, alcohol, and tobacco.

[edit] Political action groups

Main article: Political action group

Lobbying is mainly performed by political action committees or groups, which have offices in DC for lobbying. Your mileage will most certainly vary on the individual ones, ranging from "defending" marriage, to lobbying for animal rights, or to wishing to prohibit alcohol.

[edit] Scandals

In 1995, John Boehner, now Speaker of the House, was involved in a lobbying-related scandal. In a stunning display of family values, he took checks from the tobacco lobby and distributed them to the House floor.[1] This happened right before a vote on tobacco subsidies, but maybe it was just a gift.

In another scandal, lobbyist Jack Abramoff, as well as Ralph E. Reed, Jr., Grover Norquist and Michael Scanlon, were representing a tribe for Indian casino interests. They overcharged their clients to kingdom come (charging nearly $85 million in fees) and secretly spread the profits amongst themselves and Republican congressional staffers. Additionally, they even quietly lobbied for another tribe against their own clients, forcing the first tribe to need even more lobbying done. Not-so-legal gifts and campaign contributions were supposedly exchanged between the lobbyists in return for votes. Eventually, Jack and the lobbyists, Congressman Rob Ney (R) and two Congressional aides to Tom DeLay (R) were convicted for various crimes during the scandal.

[edit] See also

[edit] Footnotes

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