Like why they are bad and good for the country. Or anything you know about lobbyists.
2006-07-05 05:27:51 · 5 answers · asked by bubbl3z_x 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
I think I know how they originally got their name. I believe it was during Teddy Roosevelt's presidency, but I could be wrong about that. He would go to a local bar located inside a hotel down the street at the end of the day. There were people that would wait inside the hotel lobby until he came out of the bar, usually drunk, and try and convince him to pass certain bills that were being pushed through. Thus the term "lobbyist" is born. That is just what I learned...I'm not preaching it as cold hard facts.
Lobbyists can be both good and bad for the country. Sometimes, if there is a weak bill being presented and it is something that can help the country, and there is not a lot of power backing it, a lobbyist can help out. However, it can be bad if the bill can damage the country. So it all depends on what they are lobbying for or against.
2006-07-05 05:35:04 · answer #1 · answered by bluejacket8j 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way I can explain lobbyists is with an example. I belong to AAA, let's say AAA members want more Federal money for highways. The members tell the AAA leadership that they want that. The leadership then has lobbyists in Washington try to get members of Congress to spend more on highways. The problem happens when congressmen (and women) start accepting things they should not for supporting bills. Such as fact finding trips to Hawaii, or Vegas where who knows what happens, or in some cases out and out bribes take place. In other words lobbyists are not the problem. Unethical people are the problem.
2006-07-05 12:48:12 · answer #2 · answered by cashcobra_99 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theoretically, I don't think lobbyists are bad. They're just spokespersons for people who have common interests and have organized themselves.
Organization, Initiative and participation are good things in a democratic system of government. Without them, the system fails.
Thats not saying however that there is too much MONEY in politics these days. That is the problem as I see it.
2006-07-05 13:19:09 · answer #3 · answered by nfaustman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think after the Jack Abramhoff scandal, lobbyists and K Street should be abolished.
2006-07-05 12:30:20 · answer #4 · answered by Pitchow! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they are bad because they influence politicians to vote in their favor even if they are not the majority and ruin the democratic process.
2006-07-05 12:29:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋