Christian Science Monitor Traces The History Of Lobbying

The Christian Science Monitor examines the history of lobbyists wielding influence over policy in Washington.

The report, which is part of a series that takes an in-depth look at the profession -- and art -- of lobbying, discusses the passage of the 1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act and progressive-era attempts at reforming the practice.

From the Monitor:

"Congress has always had, and always will have, lobbyists and lobbying," said Sen. Robert Byrd (D) of West Virginia in a 1987 floor speech. "We could not adequately consider our workload without them.... At the same time, the history of the institution demonstrates the need for eternal vigilance to ensure that lobbyists do not abuse their role."

Comments

[Enid]

09:51 PM on 10/01/2009

THE UNITED SNAKES.

[thePOlitkalkos]

09:46 AM on 09/30/2009

Where is the change, Obama? Where is the REFORM?

Job loss equates to home loss No jobs, no recovery. Why so many people out of work even with the stimulus spending? Why are more jobs still being shipped overseas? There is no such thing as a jobless recovery; that is n3ocon jargon.

good articles... http://www.iamned.com

meanwhile, the stock market is surging and everyone is too busy to counting their money to show any initiative.

[lglglg]

04:25 PM on 09/29/2009

This article is a joke and a fraud. Glenn Beck stated that lobbying BEGAN during the progressive Woodrow Wilson administration and blossomed during the Communist FDR administration. He said so on his TV show taped Friday 09/25 and repeated on Monday 09/28....you can look it up Christian Science Monitor (isn't that siome kind of llizard?). And we all know that Glenn ALWAYS checks out his sources!

[gschear]

03:25 PM on 09/29/2009

Send the FBI to K street and frog march everyone of them to the airport.
Publicly finance all national political campaigns with an equal amount of money and only enough to allow the Candidate to put forth his ideas to the public.
Disallow personal attacks, let the partisan press do that. That is all they are good for anyway.
No more Quid Pro Quo lobbying. The only thing a lobbyist can do is try to present the merits of his cause to an elected official.
No lunch. No Superbowl. No hookers.

patience my @ss

[mergina]

04:06 PM on 09/29/2009

Haaaaaaaaa. They would be getting off easy compared to the insane revolution their greed is going to bring to this country and this country brings to them.

[Freedom of Logic]

03:23 PM on 09/29/2009

So he is saying....without lobbyist...they wouldnt know what else to pass through congress to help their buddies on wall street. AHHHH I get it now. Without Lobbyist....there would be no work to do and they would get paid to do nothing. Is this suppose to be in support of lobbying? How is some one that sends money and gifts to persuade politicians to vote against the people Christian like at all? Sounds like the devil whispering sweet nothings into the ear to me.

[bichn]

03:17 PM on 09/29/2009

Ban all political contributions and make elections publicly funded. With limited funds they will have to think long and hard about how to spend it, whether on ginned up BS or real issues. Also, government employees should not be going to work for lobbyists after leaving government. Too much incentive to work against the taxpayers.

Just sayin'

[Livid]

02:51 PM on 09/29/2009

If lobbyists for special interest groups were not enough:

A most troubling case before the U.S. Supreme Court is an action the aim of which is to permit direct political contributions by corporations.

[terramartom]

02:44 PM on 09/29/2009

Lobbying is just a bribe to Politicians.
Who does not know this?
These Political bums can only cheat the country for so long until there is real concerted push-back?

http://www.richmonk31.blogspot.com

[Spiritgirl2]

02:20 PM on 09/29/2009

" At the same time, the history of the institution demonstrates the need for eternal vigilance to ensure that lobbyists do not abuse their role."

So much for eternal vigilance.....At what point do these people not understand if someone (Corporation or Individual) pays you, buys you things, provides for your "trips, family vacations", or hires your family members - IT IS NOT JUST IMMORAL & ILLEGAL, IN ALL BUT 1 STATE IN THE UNION IT'S CALLED PROSTITUTION!!

[BlaineNelson]

02:15 PM on 09/29/2009

Should lobbying be curbed?

http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=6208
.

[donaldinks]

01:26 PM on 09/29/2009

"...At the same time, the history of the institution demonstrates the need for
eternal vigilance to ensure that lobbyists do not abuse their role."

Err...too late Senator Byrd. The "corporates" now own this Nation, from the top down.

So much, for that much needed "eternal vigilance".

[ReligiousWar]

12:37 PM on 09/29/2009

it is a lawmakers job to make well informed decisions on behalf of their constituents. How do you think accepting money and favors from special interest groups effects this process?

Just make bribery illegal. Like law makers are going to make these laws. So how do you make a change like this.

Can we agree that America government should not be fueled by a system of bribery? USA USA USA

Paying bribes or accepting bribes should = instant job loss & treasonous charges for all parties involved. This should be strictly enforced with no loop holes.

[Wombaticus]

12:47 PM on 09/29/2009

"Paying bribes or accepting bribes should = instant job loss & treasonous charges for all parties involved. This should be strictly enforced with no loop holes."

Agree 100%

Will still need to re-regulate the news media so they are mandated to function as impartial reporters instead of corporate profit centers.

[PNG]

01:30 PM on 09/29/2009

Right approach. Will NEVER happen. The people have to get off their collective a**es and start genuine movements that are not along bias or 'party' affiliation. The illusion of a two-party system must stop being bought into.

That's a lot to ask an ingratiated pseudo intellectual/ ignorant culture hell-bent on battling these problems with their respective 'goggles' on.

[Patriot til Death]

12:01 PM on 09/29/2009

The Fair Tax would go a loooong ways in breaking down lobbyist power to influence Congress. Congress "games" the tax code for campaign contributions to the point that our current tax code hurts hard-working Americans while benefiting corporations and the extremely wealthy with breaks that the average American does not qualify for.

Fair Tax, it's coming, the time is now.

[swift goat pet for truth]

11:37 AM on 09/29/2009

Socialize Costs. Privatize Profits.

[erinaceus]

12:09 PM on 09/29/2009

That pretty much sums up the history of corporate lobbying in this country, as far as I can tell. And in far fewer words.

[truthbagger]

10:47 PM on 09/29/2009

I think we have that one covered.

[muffler]

11:33 AM on 09/29/2009

There seems to be a huge disconnect in this country as to what is good for the country and what is good for industry/corporations. Since the corporations have no citizenship requirements for shareholders it is not fundamentally important for them to behave in a manner consistent with our countries welfare. A US company today is not a US owned and controlled company... it is a company controlled by large institutional investors and in many cases non-US holding companies.

If you haven't figured out that the US has opened it's doors to these transient thieves you won't get it until it's too late. I'm not a protectionist, but if your company can't prove US shareholder ownership you should be barred from any lobbying. The US government is of the people of the United States and not here for maximizing shareholder value of foreigners.