What are the pros and cons of lobbyists?

1. 71

   toknowinfoposted 12 years ago

   What are the pros and cons of lobbyists?
   
   

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2. 73

   d.williamposted 12 years ago

   There ARE NO pros for lobbyists to even exist, except to promote Corporate America.   They buy and sell people (politicians), write their own laws, and contribute nothing to the American people in general.  They should be banned from Washington altogether.

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3. 60

   amillarposted 12 years ago

   They're pros at cons.  At cons they're pros.

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4. 64

   mackyiposted 12 years ago

   Whenever I hear the word "Lobbyist", immediately what comes to my mind is "Political Ethics." The actions of lobbyists are nothing but unethical. They certainly do not represent the voices of the common people, their goals are to have all their needs met.

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5. 62

   mintinfoposted 12 years ago

   Since most people are going cons on this one I will try pros. The pros of lobbyists in Washington is foremost to exercise the privileges of Democracy.Not all lobbyists act on behalf of companies or capitalism in general. There are other lobbyists who act on the behalf of special interest groups such as animal rights and environmentalism. The work that the less influential lobbyists do gives light to issues which would otherwise be drowned out by the rich and powerful corporations who are trying to block laws and regulations that could impede their profits.

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6. 0

   Larry Wallposted 12 years ago

   Well, after reading the existing answers, I can see that lobbyists are not held in high esteem.
   
   Every group has a lobbyist. Big oil companies have lobbyists, teacher federations have lobbyists, newspapers have lobbyists, doctors have lobbyists and so on.
   
   There are good lobbyists and some that are not so good. I do not want to write a Hub tonight, but I may tomorrow.
   
   Good lobbyists provide information to lawmakers about the issues that concern their clients and to try to urge the lawmakers to vote in that direction. Some lobbyists do make campaign contributions and some do take lawmakers out to dinner or lunch. Some lawmakers will not accept meals from lobbyists.
   
   There are some bad lobbyists. They are bad for different reasons. Just in case you are wondering, President Garfield use to take walks and would often end up at the Willard Hotel (now owned by the Intercontinental Hotel Chain) in Washington D.C. People seeking favors would meet him in the lobby and quickly became known as lobbyists.
   By the way I was registered as a lobbyist in Louisiana off and on for several years, depending on the changes made in the law. I never spent one cent on a lawmaker. I did brief a few on issues concerning the industry.

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7. 0

   Old Empresarioposted 12 years ago

   I've met some and they are great guys. Nevertheless, it's too bad that nothing gets done, good or bad, without them anymore.

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8. 59

   ryan-cdposted 7 years ago

   Lobbyists work for big business, to do what they need to do, and without big business you would have no Wall Mart, No Taco Bell, No AT&T.

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9. 57

   The0NatureBoyposted 7 years ago

   Lobbyists Cons:
   They Bribes Congress and other officials.
   They write many of Congress' passed laws such as the Patriot Act.
   They are the "Electors" who encourage politicians to run.
   
   Lobbyists Pros:
   I don't know any.

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