4 ms·

Google has spent $21,770,000 on lobbying in 2018. https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000067823&year=2018 https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/cli

• igetspam 7y ago
  So the implied argument is that lobbying is inherently corrupt?
  • a_imho 7y ago
    In your opinion what differentiates the two?
    • AnthonyMouse 7y ago
      One of them is illegal.
      • Scoundreller 7y ago
        Aka: one of them can get executives put in prison.
      • Qwertious 7y ago
        Once you start lobbying/influencing what laws exist, you forfeit the right to justify your actions purely on what's legal. Mainly: if you spend large amounts of money to stop an action becoming illegal or to make it legal, then you can't justify the action by saying "it's legal" without also justifying why it should be legal - given that you just assisted create a law. Amoral actors should not be allowed to control the legal system that keeps them in line.
        • AnthonyMouse 7y ago
          Is there some evidence that Google has been a significant force lobbying in favor of the laws that make lobbying legal?
    • igetspam 7y ago
      Legality, public disclosure and outcomes. Bribery is a way to ensure an outcome in your favor, regardless of law or process. Lobbying is using your resources to argue a position. Lobbying can be a corrupt process but it isn't inherently so and lobbying doesn't come with a guaranteed outcome.
• UncleMeat 7y ago
  The open secrets data includes independent contributions from Google employees. The engineers donating to Clinton in 2016 aren't engaging in corruption.