In exchange for fighting against tort reform laws?
http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.asp?Ind=K01
2006 contributions Dem=70% GOP=28%
2007-07-23 05:44:49 · 6 answers · asked by Chris Chong Kim 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
John W, not even close.
http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.asp?Ind=Q13
average 1-1.5 million per yer from gun lobby.
Lawyers range from 7-46 million.
2007-07-23 05:53:32 · update #1
No... none of them should take money from any lobby group.
They work for us, the U.S. Tax Payer.
2007-07-23 05:48:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's interesting if you actually read all the numbers.
The vast majority of money was donated by individuals (to both parties). And the numbers do not include funds channeled through political parties (like the DNC or RNC). I'd like to see the statistics when those funds are taken into account as well.
But sure, given that most political lobbyists are lawyers, and that lawyers have a strong interest in being able to bring matters to trial, is it any real surprise that they contribute to candidates who don't want to rewrite the legal system.
That's the nature of the political process -- look at the numbers for issues on the other side of the political aisle and you'll see the opposite types of numbers.
2007-07-23 05:51:42 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a lawyer who firmly believes that tort reform is yet another myth, I do not think that any group including the "CENTER FOR RESPONSIVE POLITICS" that your quoted website comes from, or the President's oil people, or the GOP's drug companies, should be allowed to provide "influence money".
I do believe that every citizen in the US has a right to provide money to the politicians who they believe in.
As for this alleged tort reform, why is it that the party that has represented the corporations against the employees (the GOP) is so pro tort reform? Could it be yet another tactic to protect their base -- the over-paid CEO and the corporations.
For another view on who gets hurt by tort reform go to:
http://www.atla.org/pressroom/facts/frivolous/index.aspx
2007-07-23 06:00:14 · answer #3 · answered by CatLaw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, probably not, but why just pick on lawyers? What about other special interests? Should they be allowed to accept money from the NRA? The Religious Right? Corporate interests? Why are you just focusing on one group? I haven't done the research, but I imagine that NRA contributions to the GOP dwarf contributions by the tort reform groups to the dems.
2007-07-23 05:50:50 · answer #4 · answered by John W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why pick one group.
How about preventing HMOs from giving money to politicians in exchange for fighting against public health care?
Or pharmaceutical companies? Or oil companies? Or chemical companies to prevent environmental laws
2007-07-23 05:51:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
politicians cannot accept money over a certain amount. I think it's fifty dollars. So, if someone gave them a gift that was 100 dollars, they would have to return it. And no. Isn't that kind of like in a way bribes?
2007-07-23 05:49:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋