Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Special Interests vs. Public Interests
In theory, lobbying is a tool of democracy. It is how citizens can make sure their voices are heard when they are not voting. Lobbying has helped important causes like civil rights, labor, environment, etc.
The corporate sector however, having far more resources, can pretty much outspend anyone else to protect and further their interests -unfortunately they tend to act with short-term benefits in mind. Today, the professional lobbyist, working for the special interests, has far more influence in the legislative process than can possibly be considered ethical.
The NRA actually warned senators that it would punish those who voted to confirm justice Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court -few Republicans voted for her. (article)
Like this article explains, it makes perfect sense for the interest groups to hire former congressional members to do their lobbying: it's a win-win: the former congressmen have the experience and contacts needed to know how, when, and to whom to apply pressure, making far more money without the trouble of running for office every few years. The industry gets the most bang for their buck. So there you have a clear career path: get elected to congress, work for the lobby group from the inside, get hired by said lobbying group... and continue to work for them from the "outside". What could possibly be unethical about that?
Indeed.
The pharmaceutical lobby spent over 40 million in lobbying in the past few months, and have more lobbyists working for them than there are memebers of congress.
Would they spend all that for nothing?
"Today the government is empowered to negotiate how much it pays doctors, hospitals, laboratories — almost anyone who does business with Medicare. Anyone except pharmaceutical companies". (article)
Apparently not.
The fiercest enemy this country faces, is not the economy, the health industry, or global warming, it is not even Al Qaeda. It is a system that over the decades has entrenched itself on the inside of the halls of power to the point that it has become a virtually integral part of how lawmaking is done to the detriment of the public interest. Ironically, in the long run this often works against the industry that is trying to protect its own interests. Look at how the US has lost its leadership in the auto industry, and how China is set to control the new green energy industry -how much better off would these major industries in the US be right now if they had had to abide by more "unfair" legislation? History shows that when facing challenges, the industry always responds by producing innovation and increasing efficiency, but the lesson of the Dodo is wasted in corporate America.
It is my belief and hope that the Obama administration will reap all the fruits of its hard work to easily win a second term, in which it will find itself with renewed spirit and energy to tackle the most important of all problems: special interest lobbying and campaign finance reform.
The corporate sector however, having far more resources, can pretty much outspend anyone else to protect and further their interests -unfortunately they tend to act with short-term benefits in mind. Today, the professional lobbyist, working for the special interests, has far more influence in the legislative process than can possibly be considered ethical.
The NRA actually warned senators that it would punish those who voted to confirm justice Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court -few Republicans voted for her. (article)
Like this article explains, it makes perfect sense for the interest groups to hire former congressional members to do their lobbying: it's a win-win: the former congressmen have the experience and contacts needed to know how, when, and to whom to apply pressure, making far more money without the trouble of running for office every few years. The industry gets the most bang for their buck. So there you have a clear career path: get elected to congress, work for the lobby group from the inside, get hired by said lobbying group... and continue to work for them from the "outside". What could possibly be unethical about that?Indeed.
The pharmaceutical lobby spent over 40 million in lobbying in the past few months, and have more lobbyists working for them than there are memebers of congress.
Would they spend all that for nothing?
"Today the government is empowered to negotiate how much it pays doctors, hospitals, laboratories — almost anyone who does business with Medicare. Anyone except pharmaceutical companies". (article)
Apparently not.
The fiercest enemy this country faces, is not the economy, the health industry, or global warming, it is not even Al Qaeda. It is a system that over the decades has entrenched itself on the inside of the halls of power to the point that it has become a virtually integral part of how lawmaking is done to the detriment of the public interest. Ironically, in the long run this often works against the industry that is trying to protect its own interests. Look at how the US has lost its leadership in the auto industry, and how China is set to control the new green energy industry -how much better off would these major industries in the US be right now if they had had to abide by more "unfair" legislation? History shows that when facing challenges, the industry always responds by producing innovation and increasing efficiency, but the lesson of the Dodo is wasted in corporate America.
It is my belief and hope that the Obama administration will reap all the fruits of its hard work to easily win a second term, in which it will find itself with renewed spirit and energy to tackle the most important of all problems: special interest lobbying and campaign finance reform.
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