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What Aaron's trying to get accomplished here is precisely the type of work that lobbyists get paid for. And although he's right, the government can stonewall h
by DevX101 15y ago
What Aaron's trying to get accomplished here is precisely the type of work that lobbyists get paid for. And although he's right, the government can stonewall him indefinitely unless they have some kind of executive order to force a resolution. I'm sure that Paypal, VISA and friends have made campaign contributions or have had long conversations over games of golf to delay any competitive threat to their business model so he's got a steep hill to climb.
I'm assuming as a startup he can't afford to have a lobbying firm on retainer, so the best outcome would be that the Times or the Journal picks up this story and shames them into action.
But man, I admire the chutzpah and the brass balls it takes to pick this fight. Good luck!
- NoPiece 15y agoYou are right, and it is unfortunate that a small business might need to consider lobbying as part of their funding/business plan. It's enough to steer many from even considering the financial industry, which is the outcome that the industry wants..
- ditojim 15y agowe need less lobbyists, not more. they are the problem, not the solution.
- ramanujan 15y agoRelatively few people want to spend money on lobbyists, but when Washington or Sacramento changes the rules on you, what can you do? To remain silent might mean your business dies. To make your voice heard is to lobby. All right, then lobby it is, unfortunately.
- thinkcomp 15y agoI think we need more lobbyists, actually: the lobbyists should be the people. http://www.plainsite.org http://www.plainsite.org
- ditojim 15y agoyes! listen to the public - the actual public. not special interest groups and corporations. our current lobbyists and these groups are the ones who put us here in the first place.
- maximusprime 15y agoOr, he could just move on and do something that doesn't require fighting the government. Sorry, but I can't read anything by Aaron without thinking how much of an unlikable character he is. Get the chip off your shoulder! Stop complaining. Stop boasting you "Invented" facebook. No one invents websites. Reminds me of Mugatu "Do you not know who I am? I invented the piano key necktie!"
- inaequitas 15y agoI find this to be somewhat of a depressing attitude. While it's not mandatory that everyone fight every fight worth fighting, I wouldn't actively discourage those willing to take a stand for the things they find worthwhile. Especially since this move is trying to resist corporate-backed bureaucracy that's arguably not helping anyone.
- maximusprime 15y agoDepends if you want to "change the world", or just live a very happy active life doing things you love. "finance" "gambling" "porn" - These will always be "high risk" sectors where government wants to do a lot of regulation and interfering.
- rhizome 15y agoDepends if you want to "change the world", or just live a very happy active life doing things you love. How much of this decision should I put in your hands?
- thinkcomp 15y agoWith all due respect, and as much as I am tired of complaining, your first point is kind of absurd. As for your second point: what or who are you quoting? My bio doesn't say that. I take great care not to say that. For better or worse, people care about this stuff. That's why they made a movie. That's why Mark is speaking at Startup School. It's the sad truth that a politician will pay more attention to someone who demonstrates that they were involved in the creation of a widely-known enterprise. If you look around, you'll see that it's just not the politicians, either.