Instead of barring lobbying, which is at its essence is consultation with the intent to influence or coerce by supplying information - information sometimes needed by solons - why not have laws that allow solons to consult but only on the record with advance notice. That would offer some transparency currently lacking. It would also - due to being on-the-record - be a means for accountability. And, it would preserve the baby while throwing out the bathwater, leaving consultation between congress and groups within their constituencies open to public scrutiny. All such consultations should be limited to public forums with those in DC preferred and field consultations limited to those where first hand knowledge is reasonably necessary.
1 Like
Wow! This perfectly voices the opinion and stance I was trying to convey above, and the stance I attempted stating on my other thread you commented on about special interest influence in the construction of legislation.
My line of though just fell into publicized, capped, streams of lobbying.
The arguement a few of us are making, is that due to in-equal levels of economic influence, the amount lobbied should be capped to create equal economic influence between individuals and multi-national conglomerates.
Allowing ‘special interest groups’ to still file for grievances as per the 1st Amendment, but dismantling the legislative auction that lobbying (bidding for legislation through Congressional Seats) has led to.