3 ms·

Nah, It's just corruption smoke and mirrors, it's just wealth transfer in exchange for kickbacks but adding a middleman some how makes it legal. Like SuperPAC'

by tough 4y ago

Nah, It's just corruption smoke and mirrors, it's just wealth transfer in exchange for kickbacks but adding a middleman some how makes it legal. Like SuperPAC's and all that bullshit

kuhewa 4y ago
Yes, but making it illegal would mean well meaning groups also can't bend the ear of politicians when they need to. The heavily moneyed interests don't really need professional lobbyists so much when they can offer high six figure consulting salaries to politicians once they leave office, have former company people in govt positions, can communicate through campaign funding etc. Bigger broader problem. Meanwhile a right to repair advocate very much could benefit from hiring a guy that knows the office hours of the legislator and who the best staffers would be to float an idea with.
- hanselot 4y ago
  So what you are saying is that we should allow people with bad intentions the ability to influence politicians monetarily (literally bribery), so the few morsels of good money that can buy any influence may have a chance to also be considered for inclusion? Edit: I see your point wrt alternative bribery schemes existing, and isn't the solution perhaps for those schemes to also be shut down, instead of allowing it because some good might come of it? Hmmmm, it's difficult not to assume you are yourself a lobbyist or politician if you take this position, given that the coffers of those with ill intent are vastly more lined than the alternative...
  - tough 4y ago
    Thanks for putting words on what was rubbing me wrong. We need something better than this fake democracy we inherited.
  - kuhewa 4y ago
    > Hmmmm, it's difficult not to assume you are yourself a lobbyist or politician Well, it probably is difficult if one is not very good at thinking. Regarding your edit, sure, but that's not the content of the post I replied to. That was about banning lobbying and I'm making the point that consequences of that could be counterproductive and make for an even less level playing field.
- themitigating 4y ago
  Nothing in the government should benefit those with more money.
  - kuhewa 4y ago
    That's a nice soundbyte. How are you doing to get us there though without worse unintended consequences than the status quo?
    - themitigating 4y ago
      By banning lobbying and political donations

by tough 4y ago

Nah, It's just corruption smoke and mirrors, it's just wealth transfer in exchange for kickbacks but adding a middleman some how makes it legal. Like SuperPAC's and all that bullshit

kuhewa 4y ago

Yes, but making it illegal would mean well meaning groups also can't bend the ear of politicians when they need to. The heavily moneyed interests don't really need professional lobbyists so much when they can offer high six figure consulting salaries to politicians once they leave office, have former company people in govt positions, can communicate through campaign funding etc. Bigger broader problem. Meanwhile a right to repair advocate very much could benefit from hiring a guy that knows the office hours of the legislator and who the best staffers would be to float an idea with.

hanselot 4y ago
So what you are saying is that we should allow people with bad intentions the ability to influence politicians monetarily (literally bribery), so the few morsels of good money that can buy any influence may have a chance to also be considered for inclusion? Edit: I see your point wrt alternative bribery schemes existing, and isn't the solution perhaps for those schemes to also be shut down, instead of allowing it because some good might come of it? Hmmmm, it's difficult not to assume you are yourself a lobbyist or politician if you take this position, given that the coffers of those with ill intent are vastly more lined than the alternative...
- tough 4y ago
  Thanks for putting words on what was rubbing me wrong. We need something better than this fake democracy we inherited.
- kuhewa 4y ago
  > Hmmmm, it's difficult not to assume you are yourself a lobbyist or politician Well, it probably is difficult if one is not very good at thinking. Regarding your edit, sure, but that's not the content of the post I replied to. That was about banning lobbying and I'm making the point that consequences of that could be counterproductive and make for an even less level playing field.
themitigating 4y ago
Nothing in the government should benefit those with more money.
- kuhewa 4y ago
  That's a nice soundbyte. How are you doing to get us there though without worse unintended consequences than the status quo?
  - themitigating 4y ago
    By banning lobbying and political donations