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"When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators."
- P. J. O'Rourke Lobbying & Interest GroupsAmendment I of the Bill of Rights ensures that citizens are not restricted when it comes to petitioning their government. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Today the majority of petitioning is done by powerful, well-financed lobbies located in or around Washington D.C. Some of these lobbies, such as the NRA, largely reflect the intentions of the people who finance and support the lobby. Most others, however, are financed by large corporations or foreign interests and support only the wishes of big business, or, at best, the interests of a small percentage of the population. Despite a lack of support from common citizens, these powerful lobbies are able to exert profound political influence, and most disturbingly, are able to dramatically alter the direction of this country. A Necessary EvilThis country needs lobbies, interest groups, and lobbyists. All these parties participate in an activity that must be preserved at all times. In general, it is in the interests of us citizens to be able to make our will known to our elected leaders in every way possible, but the interests of most lobbies are not the interests of the people. In the government of a Constitutional Republic, this is not a serious threat, but in the democracy offered us by the corporate state, lobbies lead inevitably to injustice by promoting policy that favors the wealthy financiers of the lobbies. .. Related Pages
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