• TronBronson@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    2 days ago

    There is nothing wrong with lobbying…. There are lobbies for woman’s rights, black rights, all sorts of good causes have lobbies.

    The politicians just bend over for corporate lobbies. Very important distinction. I think what would fit your argument better is will never happen as long as citizens United exists.

    • serenissi@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      0
      ·
      1 day ago

      Any paid lobbying is bribery. Legislators should raise people’s opinion who voted them in and act as representative, not say what others pay them to say.

      I can’t believe it is legal in so many countries. Apparently though it seems more problematic in the US but European countries aren’t immune either.

      • TronBronson@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        0
        ·
        1 day ago

        When we were legalizing cannabis in Maine the local growers had to form a lobby to fight against the out of state corporate growers who also had a powerful lobby. Banning lobbying doesn’t help it just takes away peoples voices. Lobbying is just a group of people pooling resources to enact common legislation or political goals. It’s an important part of the political process people neglect. and it’s been diluted by money. Don’t need to dilute it further with misinformation.

        • itslilith@lemmy.blahaj.zone
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          0
          ·
          22 hours ago

          and it’s been diluted by money

          That’s why they said “any paid lobbying is bribery”. While anyone can sign a petition to your representative and that’s technically also lobbying, what we’re talking about here is not that. In a democracy, every person gets their voice heard. With lobbying, only the dollar speaks.

          • TronBronson@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            0
            ·
            21 hours ago

            Campaign contributions do not equal lobbying. You are talking about unlimited campaign contributions. And calling it lobbying: I am pointing this out because your lack of civic education has brought a goddamn dictatorship upon this country

            • itslilith@lemmy.blahaj.zone
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              0
              ·
              20 hours ago

              Who is talking about campaign contributions? That is a whole other issue. I’m talking about the revolving door between politics and private industry, about how you need personal connections to get the ear of politicians and these connections can be bought, and how politicians gleefully accept laundered bribes from private interest groups. There are, of course, lobbying groups doing good (like some NGOs or advocacy groups), but the system of lobbying itself is deeply flawed. But I guess that’s sorta inevitable under capitalism.

              I’m not even from the US, just watching in horror as the dominant global superpower turns to open, unapologetic fascism. So continue belittling my lack of civic education if you must, but I’m afraid I’m more informed about your political process than a majority of your electorate. I wish I didn’t have to be.

      • TronBronson@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        0
        ·
        1 day ago

        I mean someone has to pay the lobbiests. The National Organization for women pays lawyers to write laws for them to present to congress, through lobbiests who are also paid. You want feminist groups who are allowed to write feminist laws and present them to congress right? You want someone to advocate for laws you want right? That’s lobbying?

        Citizens united is what you guys are thinking of. The one where corporations can donate infinite money to politicians? So when a corporate lobby brings anti-feminist legislation, they then contribute lots of money to the politician they are lobbying. And magically the politican ignores their voters and sides with the anti-feminist pro corporate law. That’s citizens united. It’s not a problem with lobbying. You have a problem with corporate lobbys not womans rights lobbys right? You have a problem with your representatives favoring corporate lobbys because they get infinite money throught… DRUM ROLL… Citizens united.

        I really hope this helps.