Comments on: Lobbyists are People, Too–Like Jeffrey Dahmer

By: lfod1775

lfod1775 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:23:58 +0000

People are tired of lobbyists who write the legislation! That, folks, causes the public revulsion as much as the moneyed interests does. I posit that if there is a problem with lobbyists reputations; it is a lobbyist problem. Yes, many do good work, but many don’t…and they want slide behind the tailwinds of respectable ones. People are wising up. Instead of gnashing your teeth, lobbyists, about your reputation as predators in the public arena, do something to make it right.

By: Alexa

Alexa — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:09:53 +0000

Poor little lobbyists, no one said you can’t talk to candidates in the name of corporate interests, you just can’t give them money.

By: jan

jan — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:00:15 +0000

Hysterical that lobbyists prop up as their first argument that politicians have banned them from lobbying. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s just more sophistry. They have been banned from donating, and that’s it. Lobbyists cry foul because they want to be taken on the merits of their money rather than the merits of information. The candidates definitely made the right choice. What a bunch of cry babies.

By: Husky70

Husky70 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:45:58 +0000

In the information age in which we live, it is almost painful to see people as poorly informed as are Jan and mdking. Chances are that they and their interests are represented in Washington, and for that matter in state capitals all over the country, in some way. The role of the lobbyist is to bring to light specific information that lawmakers – and their mostly 20-something staffs – might not otherwise have on the legislation on which they are working. On behalf of our organizations, employees, and co-workers, we worry most about the “law of unintended consequences”. We provide inputs for all sides, and help feed the debate and compromise on laws that was designed into this democracy from its inception. The reaction to isolated instances of malfeasance – e.g., Abramoff – is akin to finding a crooked cop and setting out to disestablish the police force, or finding a poor doctor and seeking to hold the entire medical profession responsible. It’s about time that Jan and mdking and others wake up to the fact that they’re being “played” by the candidates and the leadership for political advantage, and not because there’s anything inherently wrong or nefarious about lobbying.

By: Big AZ

Big AZ — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:32:52 +0000

“environment, labor, the elderly, teachers, and veterans generally get a raw deal” You do realize that all of these groups have lobbyists and all have PACs that give millions of dollars to candidates just like the business groups. If you are going to tear into lobbyists make sure you get them all, not just one side.

By: jan

jan — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:25:30 +0000

There’s a diagnosis for people as deluded as Pallasch, dementia.