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Well, everyone always talks about what really motivates the legislative branch (campaign funding), but I've never seen civil libertarian types try to start a no
by rthomas6 13y ago
Well, everyone always talks about what really motivates the legislative branch (campaign funding), but I've never seen civil libertarian types try to start a non-profit or super-PAC to lobby congress. We know this way of influence is proven to work, and to work quite well. Why is there no special interest organization that is in those fundraising dinners, talking to the legislators, and trying to get the various committees to influence laws we care about?
Letters and phone calls work, but hundreds/thousands of people willing to donate money to candidates that support particular causes works even better. That's how lobbying works. It's not even completely unethical, really. A spokesperson just buys their way in to fundraisers and says, "Hey, our group really cares about X. Here is why. Oh BTW, we might have a bunch of voters in your district who are passionate about X and would want to contribute to a person's campaign if they also cared about X. Do you care about X?"
- xhrpost 13y agoI think the idea of an anti-spying super-PAC is interesting. One of the priorities I feel is informing people of just how dangerous these arguably illegal spying activities are. Funny thing is the super-PAC would probably end up airing commercials against both candidates.
- rayiner 13y ago> Funny thing is the super-PAC would probably end up airing commercials against both candidates. That's not how politics works. You have to give candidates a reason to listen to you. If you attack both sides equally, you give up any leverage you have.
- xhrpost 13y agoYes, it was kind of a tongue in cheek statement alluding to the fact that both sides tend to support the spying programs.
- Symmetry 13y agoWhat provides an leverage is not that level of advertisement, but the delta in advertisement with a change in behavior. As long as you wouldn't attack them if they changed and they believe that then you've got leverage.
- rhizome 13y agoThere's no rule that it would have to be "equally."
- rthomas6 13y agoThat wouldn't be the best use of the funds, I think. Better would be to throw the super-PAC's weight behind supporting anyone who would take up the cause. Similar to how other organizations do it. The NRA, or the beef farmers' groups, for instance.