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> And then they'll be breaking the law. Will they? You don't have to be a registered lobbyist to have access to your congressman. That would be thoroughly un
by mac01021 10y ago
> And then they'll be breaking the law.
Will they? You don't have to be a registered lobbyist to have access to your congressman. That would be thoroughly undemocratic.
- AnthonyMouse 10y agoHave all the access to your congressman you like. Just don't take money for doing it.
- mac01021 10y agoIt's not always that cut and dry, though. Say you're one of the world's foremost experts on the economics of asteroid mining, and are employed by an asteroid mining company for a tremendous salary. Suppose you decide that your industry as a whole will be both more productive and fairer to the world at large if you are able to spend a bunch of time educating senators about the intricacies of your field and the effects of different policies that they might introduce. If you convince your employer to keep paying you while you do that, are you now a lobbyist? Are you being corrupt? Must you forego any income in order to make Congress more informed or to argue for universally beneficial policies?
- AnthonyMouse 10y agoYou have all the same problems with prohibiting bribery of public officials. The governor gives a contract to Foo Corp and Foo Corp hires the governor's brother for $5M/year, is that corruption? The conclusion to draw from this is not "oh well, guess we might as well legalize bribery."