> lobbying is free speech and an essential part of the democratic process. It is, but then by your own argument it isn't a way to gauge industry expertise. Bec

> lobbying is free speech and an essential part of the democratic process. It is, but then by your own argument it isn't a way to gauge industry expertise. Because anyone can lobby (so expertise isn't a factor -- and the politician isn't in a position to assess the expertise of a particular lobbyist), and those with more time and money can lobby more than anyone else. This is part of what makes it a problem, and makes people connect it with corruption -- because the only people who can effectively engage in corruption are the same people who can effectively engage in lobbying (those with large troves of cash).