Magox Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...id=aZdbr0YXz5jI A few snippets: If there is any doubt that President Barack Obama’s plan to overhaul U.S. health care is the hottest topic in Congress, just ask the 3,300 lobbyists who have lined up to work on the issue. That’s six lobbyists for each of the 535 members of the House and Senate, according to Senate records, and three times the number of people registered to lobby on defense. More than 1,500 organizations have health-care lobbyists, and about three more are signing up each day. Every one of the 10 biggest lobbying firms by revenue is involved in an effort that could affect 17 percent of the U.S. economy. These groups spent $263.4 million on lobbying during the first six months of 2009, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington-based research group, more than any other industry. They spent $241.4 million during the same period of 2008. Drugmakers alone spent $134.5 million, 64 percent more than the next biggest spenders, oil and gas companies. “Whenever you have a big piece of legislation like this, it’s like ringing the dinner bell for K Street,” said Bill Allison, a senior fellow at the Sunlight Foundation, a Washington-based watchdog group, referring to the street in the capital where many lobbying firms have offices. The health-care industry also contributed $20.5 million to federal candidates and the political parties during the first six months of the year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat who is up for re-election next year, received $382,400, more than any other lawmaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...id=aZdbr0YXz5jI A few snippets: If there is any doubt that President Barack Obama’s plan to overhaul U.S. health care is the hottest topic in Congress, just ask the 3,300 lobbyists who have lined up to work on the issue. That’s six lobbyists for each of the 535 members of the House and Senate, according to Senate records, and three times the number of people registered to lobby on defense. More than 1,500 organizations have health-care lobbyists, and about three more are signing up each day. Every one of the 10 biggest lobbying firms by revenue is involved in an effort that could affect 17 percent of the U.S. economy. These groups spent $263.4 million on lobbying during the first six months of 2009, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington-based research group, more than any other industry. They spent $241.4 million during the same period of 2008. Drugmakers alone spent $134.5 million, 64 percent more than the next biggest spenders, oil and gas companies. “Whenever you have a big piece of legislation like this, it’s like ringing the dinner bell for K Street,” said Bill Allison, a senior fellow at the Sunlight Foundation, a Washington-based watchdog group, referring to the street in the capital where many lobbying firms have offices. The health-care industry also contributed $20.5 million to federal candidates and the political parties during the first six months of the year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat who is up for re-election next year, received $382,400, more than any other lawmaker. Just more proof that it has to be change in a major way. Their influence MUST be countered. This many lobbyists for one industry really subvert the democratic process. They interfere with the people's right to be governed by those that were duly elected by a majority seeking to BE governed by those they voted for. Nothing but hypocrits on both sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Just more proof that it has to be change in a major way. Their influence MUST be countered. This many lobbyists for one industry really subvert the democratic process. They interfere with the people's right to be governed by those that were duly elected by a majority seeking to BE governed by those they voted for. Nothing but hypocrits on both sides. The right to petition government and redress grievances - except for lobbyists ? It is a hard one to reconcile with the 1st amendment....we all hate him unless they represent you....AMA, NRA, AMA, ABA, AARP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wacka Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 AARP is an insurance company masquerading as a group for seniors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 AARP is an insurance company masquerading as a group for seniors. My point was just that most Americans at least tacitly support more than one.... National Rifle Association of America AARP National Federation of Independent Business American Israel Public Affairs Committee Association of Trial Lawyers of America AFL-CIO Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America National Beer Wholesalers Association National Association of Realtors National Association of Manufacturers National Association of Home Builders of the United States American Medical Association American Hospital Association National Education Association of the United States American Farm Bureau Federation Motion Picture Association of America National Association of Broadcasters National Right to Life Committee Health Insurance Association of America National Restaurant Association Recording Industry Association of America American Bankers Association Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America International Brotherhood of Teamsters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 The right to petition government and redress grievances - except for lobbyists ? It is a hard one to reconcile with the 1st amendment....we all hate him unless they represent you....AMA, NRA, AMA, ABA, AARP Good point. Especially about the right to petition. But of ALL the lobbying groups out there, how many have 3300+ people doing that "petitioning?" And petitioning is one thing, bribing is another. Now I KNOW the charge of bribery is a serious one and I KNOW they don't really do that (wink) but I will continue to believe that all this "petitioning" by a select few (or many in the case of the healthcare industry) subverts the democratic process to a large degree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Frenkle Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 The right to petition government and redress grievances - except for lobbyists ? It is a hard one to reconcile with the 1st amendment....we all hate him unless they represent you....AMA, NRA, AMA, ABA, AARP How about: The right to petition government and redress grievances - unless you're getting paid to do so. I haven't thought about this much, but what would be wrong with that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 How about: The right to petition government and redress grievances - unless you're getting paid to do so. I haven't thought about this much, but what would be wrong with that? Too concrete and restrictive. My lawyer can't present my case in front of the Supreme Court? You have to find a way to restrict lobbying without restricting representation. Like the right to petition government and redress grievances on behalf of and as an appointed representative of the "people". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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