Should lobbying be Illegal?

[CrusaderFrank]

Article I, Section 6, Clause 1

of the U.S. Constitution mandates that Senators and Representatives receive compensation for their services, determined by law and paid by the federal government”

Accordingly, it is unconstitutional and should be criminal for Congress to have services or anything paid by Lobbyists

Congress should have very little to do. They can meet monthly via zoom, unless it’s to declare war

 

[lg325]

Not lobbying it self but using the lobbyist position in a corrupt way already is. Lobbying is a way citizens with common intereast can get their message to elected officials .

 

[Woodznutz]

Laws won't prevent lobbying. Money, as Rush stated, is "the mother's milk of politics".

 

[dblack]

Article I, Section 6, Clause 1

of the U.S. Constitution mandates that Senators and Representatives receive compensation for their services, determined by law and paid by the federal government”

Accordingly, it is unconstitutional and should be criminal for Congress to have services or anything paid by Lobbyists.

Agreed. But the problem isn't who's buying the favors. It's who's selling them.

Congress should have very little to do. They can meet monthly via zoom, unless it’s to declare war

Exactly. The problem with lobbying is that Congress has too much power. That's also what fans the flames of our "division".

 

[1srelluc]

It was just a way to keep them on K Street instead of the WH lawn.

The popular story is that President Ulysses S. Grant came up with the term lobbyist while frequenting the lobby of the Willard Hotel.

Lobbying at the Willard Hotel

Sometimes stories take on a life of their own in Washington. For example, the supposed connection between the Willard Hotel and the term "lobbyist."

boundarystones.weta.org

 

[Rawley]

Article I, Section 6, Clause 1

of the U.S. Constitution mandates that Senators and Representatives receive compensation for their services, determined by law and paid by the federal government”

Accordingly, it is unconstitutional and should be criminal for Congress to have services or anything paid by Lobbyists

Congress should have very little to do. They can meet monthly via zoom, unless it’s to declare war

Not a big First Amendment fan, huh?

 

[Independent thinker]

Laws won't prevent lobbying. Money, as Rush stated, is "the mother's milk of politics".

Yes, it would be hard to craft an anti-lobbying law. Darn near impossible. I'd consider reading a proposal but we've got to remember that it would be the Congress critters we'd have to depend on to make the law. Fat chance of that.

 

[jc456]

Yes, it would be hard to craft an anti-lobbying law. Darn near impossible. I'd consider reading a proposal but we've got to remember that it would be the Congress critters we'd have to depend on to make the law. Fat chance of that.

This ^^^^^^^^

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Not a big First Amendment fan, huh?

Sorry? What does your copy say?

“Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble; or to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

 

[Rawley]

Sorry? What does your copy say?

“Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble; or to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Lobbying is "petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

 

[CrusaderFrank]

You can lobby, but making donations to a Congressman should be illegal Petition =/= Bribe

Lobbying is "petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

 

[Rawley]

You can lobby, but making donations to a Congressman should be illegal Petition =/= Bribe

Well, that's not the title of your thread. You ask if lobbying should be made illegal. That would be unconstitutional

 

[fncceo]

You don't stop corruption by banning lobbying ...

... you can only stop corruption by taking the power from politicians to control commercial entities.

If a politician doesn't have the power to give you a commercial advantage over your competitor, then there is no reason to pay them or lobby them.

 

[jc456]

You can lobby, but making donations to a Congressman should be illegal Petition =/= Bribe

It’s bribery

 

[jc456]

You don't stop corruption by banning lobbying ...

Why does lobbying have bribery payments ?

Buying favors isn’t lobbying

 

[fncceo]

Why does lobbying have bribery payments ?

Buying favors isn’t lobbying

How do you think Pelosi is worth half a billion dollars on $175K per year salary?

Prudent investment strategies?

 

[jc456]

How do you think Pelosi is worth half a billion dollars on $175K per year salary?

Prudent investment strategies?

Insider trading

 

[fncceo]

Insider trading

And she got that insider information in exchange for what ... good leadership?

 

[CrusaderFrank]

It’s bribery

Clearly

Our Founders never considered this

 

[ThisIsMe]

Article I, Section 6, Clause 1

of the U.S. Constitution mandates that Senators and Representatives receive compensation for their services, determined by law and paid by the federal government”

Accordingly, it is unconstitutional and should be criminal for Congress to have services or anything paid by Lobbyists

Congress should have very little to do. They can meet monthly via zoom, unless it’s to declare war

Yes, it should be illegal. It’s the same as buying votes