Legislators often defer to lobbyists to write the regulations governing the industries they were hired to protect. This has led to regulations sometimes protecting big politically-connected businesses from competition from smaller up-and-coming companies.
We could look at how "green" lobbyists get all kinds of goodies passed by the federal government, which results in higher energy costs and no real benefit.
Other times lobbyists successfully kill laws and regulations that would benefit the country, but will cost their industry money.
But where is the line to be drawn? I'd rather err on the side of an expansive view of the 1st Amendment.
Lobbying refers to any attempt to try to influence the opinion of an elected official. When you write a letter to them, you are lobbying them. When you donate to them, you are lobbying to them.
Answers & Comments
Sadly, that line is quite blurred.
Legislators often defer to lobbyists to write the regulations governing the industries they were hired to protect. This has led to regulations sometimes protecting big politically-connected businesses from competition from smaller up-and-coming companies.
We could look at how "green" lobbyists get all kinds of goodies passed by the federal government, which results in higher energy costs and no real benefit.
Other times lobbyists successfully kill laws and regulations that would benefit the country, but will cost their industry money.
But where is the line to be drawn? I'd rather err on the side of an expansive view of the 1st Amendment.
Laws against bribery are just a socialist device for eliminating one form of capitalism, the free exercise of use of money to accomplish a goal.
Lobbying got out of hand decades ago. We have the best Congress money can buy!
The moment the briefcase full of undeclared money is passed over so you have something to spend on your all expenses paid vacation.
Lobbying refers to any attempt to try to influence the opinion of an elected official. When you write a letter to them, you are lobbying them. When you donate to them, you are lobbying to them.