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I see a lot of comments discussing the legitimacy of the investigative technique, and whether "lobbyists being lobbyists" is bad. For those of us who agree that

I see a lot of comments discussing the legitimacy of the investigative technique, and whether "lobbyists being lobbyists" is bad. For those of us who agree that lobbying sucks and that Greenpeace is fighting a worthy fight, I want to start the conversation towards: what do we do with this? So, not in the abstract, what can you, the tech savvy HN reader, and the rest of us, do about this kind of stuff? I know that taking a study like this and amplifying it's signal is one positive, actionable thing (I've forwarded the article to a group of folks I know have active presence in places where it could matter). I'm curious as to what you all do to fight against [ shitty lobbyists, busted democracy, climate change ] that might be unintuitive to others? Specifically, I'm not asking whether these things are worth fighting for. There's enough discussion about that. Just for those of us who see the problems; wat do?

exo-pla-net 5y ago
You can, on a local level, push for the American Anti-Corruption Act. "In cities and states across the country, citizens are using a piece of model legislation called the American Anti-Corruption Act to root out conflicts of interest and corruption where they live. Time and again, history has seen laws passed at the city and state level make it all the way to Washington and turn into federal law. Local Anti-Corruption Acts and Resolutions build momentum towards national reform, since politicians running an anti-corruption platform seed Congress with representatives, not pre-purchased by special interests." https://represent.us/action/is-lobbying-good-or-bad/ https://represent.us/action/is-lobbying-good-or-bad/
- pksebben 5y ago
  I love the work that represent.us does. This is exactly the kind of thing I was talking about. I remember reading Republic, Lost years ago. it's good to see action plans around that material.

exo-pla-net 5y ago

You can, on a local level, push for the American Anti-Corruption Act. "In cities and states across the country, citizens are using a piece of model legislation called the American Anti-Corruption Act to root out conflicts of interest and corruption where they live. Time and again, history has seen laws passed at the city and state level make it all the way to Washington and turn into federal law. Local Anti-Corruption Acts and Resolutions build momentum towards national reform, since politicians running an anti-corruption platform seed Congress with representatives, not pre-purchased by special interests." https://represent.us/action/is-lobbying-good-or-bad/ https://represent.us/action/is-lobbying-good-or-bad/

pksebben 5y ago
I love the work that represent.us does. This is exactly the kind of thing I was talking about. I remember reading Republic, Lost years ago. it's good to see action plans around that material.