Why do we have lobbyists, who mostly help the wealthiest people to influence Congress for their own benefit?

Answer 1

Eery time we say "lobbying reform," we reinforce the idea that it is only the lobbyist who is the wrongdoer. Sure, many lobbyists are slimy and aggressive. No one forces any legislator or staffer to accept lunches, trips, or favors from a lobbyist. And the reason not to do that is that the legislator risks surrendering some of her power, which is a public trust, to these private interests.
The best way to prevent these scandals is to put a watchdog on every member of Congress, in the form of an adequately funded challenger and to avoid the language that reinforces the idea that congressional leaders are helpless pawns of malevolent lobbyists. It's a betrayal-of-public-trust scandal. Lobbyists have no power, no influence, until a public servant gives them power. They set up a system by which lobbyists (who prove their loyalty in various ways such as golf trips to Europe) are transformed from supplicants to full partners in government.

Answer 2

Our representative is married to the tobacco lobbyist and our state has the most miserable lack of help for smokers, and no prevention programs. Why can't people see how lobbyists are in control of Congress?!

Answer 3

Congress is the peoples lobbyist. Special interests pay lobbyist to vote in there favor. Some rich people buy there office Like JFK. His fathers wealth and mob influence put him in the white house.

Answer 4

I don't like them either. But is a form of free speech. Think about it; I work at a business and want laws favorable to my business. I pay people to make sure congress men know my view points. I know there is a fine line between lobbyists and bribing; the problem is that is easy to step over the line and forget that you represent the people of your district, not a few well funded businesses.

Answer 5

Because those are the people who are paying the lobbyists large sums of money to convince the government to allow their clients to pick your pockets, or at least line theirs.

Answer 6

It's the same thing that has happened since the dawn of time, those with the wealth control those without. It used to be property wealth, and now it is monetary wealth, it will never change.

Answer 7

Where there's money to be had. . .

You answered it. People like to feel like they are "wanted". In this case, the congressmen feel like they are "needed" for something by someone, and like that someone is willing to pay for them to do as they wish.

Maybe the people that elected these "fat cats" need lobbiest. . . Oh wait. THEY are supposed to be the lobbiest for our views and desires.

Answer 8

What do you want to do with lobbyists? Kill 'em all?

Answer 9

They're paid for their services, and normal people don't have that much money.