Lobbyists

The role of a lobbyist is to convince an elected representative to behave a certain way.  They do this at the behest of a special interest.  This special interest could be a corporation or an entire industry. 

A “special interest” is called that because they do not represent the overall will of the voting public.  They are not necessarily against the voting public.  It’s just that the special interest is working towards achieving their own personal goals with no regard to others.

 The lobbyist is told what to do by the special interest that hired him.  The lobbyist uses his connections to get “face time” with the elected official.  This time is used to advance the interests of whomever they happen to be working for at that time.

Suppose a Special Interest wants to get a bill written or altered or a vote to pass or fail.  They have the lobbyist try to convince the elected official to make it happen. 

What convinces an elected official to behave a certain way?

Power.

Power can be money.  Power can be a promise of support on other issues.  Power can be influence.  Power can be a lot of things.  But in the world of politics, power is what gets things done.

I am not implying that senators are taking bribes.  I think they call them something else in Washington – campaign donations, I think.  It may not be a money thing at all.  It is often a Quid Pro Quo. 

You scratch my back and I will scratch yours.

For example, if you approve the earmark that attaches a spending bill for my state, I will make sure you get the votes you need to pass a pet project of your own.  The Bridge to Nowhere in Alaska is a good example.  How did that get at far along as it did?  Power.  Influence was used to get others to approve this ridiculous waste of money.

So, am I against lobbyists? 

Not really.  I think they provide a path to compromise that expedites things getting done.  However, I think they need operate more transparently.  I think they should have to wear florescent orange clothing so we know who they are.  I think every time they meet with anyone to do their job, it should be aired live on the internet.  I think we should know who is paying for them and we should be able to see the contractual agreement between the lobbyist and the special interest.

I would love to see how Big Oil, and Lobbyists and Congress worked together to make the Gulf oil spill happen.  I would love to see how Unions are spending the dues of their members to buy votes.

We have the internet.  Let’s make use of it to bring transparency to our government.