Changes

In recent decades thousands of lobbyists are at work in [[Washington D.C.]] for every possible interest.  Lobbyists are also active in all the state capitols.  Many lobbyists are former members of [[Congress]] or former staffers.

In recent decades thousands of lobbyists are at work in [[Washington D.C.]] for every possible interest.  Lobbyists are also active in all the state capitols.  Many lobbyists are former members of [[Congress]] or former staffers.

Since 1900 lobbying has became a [[legal]], regulated institution in America. In 1946 for example, Congress required the registration of lobbyists. Key to the process leading up to lobbying's institutionalization and regulation were the congressional investigations of lobbyists in 1913, 1927-28, 1935-38, and the 1950s, which revealed the methods lobbyists used.  This information has helped shape legislation aimed at reducing [[corruption]] and lending transparency to the legislative process. Since 1990, American states have adopted a variety of reforms to regulate lobbying in an attempt to address a host of [[ethical]] issues.  

Since 1900 lobbying has became a [[legal]], regulated institution in America. In 1946 for example, Congress required the registration of lobbyists. Key to the process leading up to lobbying's institutionalization and regulation were the congressional investigations of lobbyists in 1913, 1927–28, 1935–38, and the 1950s, which revealed the methods lobbyists used.  This information has helped shape legislation aimed at reducing [[corruption]] and lending transparency to the legislative process. Since 1990, American states have adopted a variety of reforms to regulate lobbying in an attempt to address a host of [[ethical]] issues.  

==History==

==History==

In the 19th century, the most important lobbies worked on behalf of a [[wool]] [[tariff]] and [[railroad]] [[subsidies]] in the 1865-900 era. In [[the South]] during [[Reconstruction]] lobbyists were very active in state capitols, seeking and getting subsidies for railroads.  Many times they had to [[bribe]] legislators.  In the early 20th century effective lobbyists represented the [[Anti-Saloon League]] (to prohibit alcohol, and farm interests.  

In the 19th century, the most important lobbies worked on behalf of a [[wool]] [[tariff]] and [[railroad]] [[subsidies]] in the 1865-900 era. In [[the South]] during [[Reconstruction]] lobbyists were very active in state capitols, seeking and getting subsidies for railroads.  Many times they had to [[bribe]] legislators.  In the early 20th century effective lobbyists represented the [[Anti-Saloon League]] (to prohibit alcohol, and farm interests.  

Lobbying was in bad odor in the [[Progressive Era]] early 20th century, with many reformers (like [[Woodrow Wilson]]) convinced that it undermined [[Republicanism|representative government]] by skewing the thinking of legislators.  Thanks to the new field of [[psychology]], lobbyists began to employ [[propaganda]] techniques during the early 20th century to assert a more prominent role in the policy making process in the U.S. It is noted that while lobbyists amplified their constituents' power and influence, the methods they employed using false and misleading information cast doubt on the ability of ordinary [[citizen]]s to participate in democratic politics.<ref> Loomis (2009)</ref>  

Lobbying was in bad odor in the [[Progressive Era]] early 20th century, with many reformers (like [[Woodrow Wilson]]) convinced that it undermined [[Republicanism|representative government]] by skewing the thinking of legislators.  Thanks to the new field of [[psychology]], lobbyists began to employ [[propaganda]] techniques during the early 20th century to assert a more prominent role in the policy making process in the U.S. It is noted that while lobbyists amplified their constituents' power and influence, the methods they employed using false and misleading information cast doubt on the ability of ordinary [[citizen]]s to participate in democratic politics.<ref>Loomis (2009)</ref>  

In reality, lobbyists spend most of their efforts providing information on specific legislation, pro or con (such as the [[conservative]] [[NRA]]'s [[Second Amendment]] [[gun rights]] versus the [[liberal]] [[Mayors Against Illegal Guns]]'s [[gun control]]), and letting the "information" sway the legislator. Often they testify before committees in open hearings.  On controversial issues there may be two or more) teams of opposing lobbyists.<ref> Thomas T. Holyoke, "Interest Group Competition and Cooperation at Legislative Hearings," ''Congress & the Presidency'' 2008 35(2): 17-38, </ref>  

In reality, lobbyists spend most of their efforts providing information on specific legislation, pro or con (such as the [[conservative]] [[NRA]]'s [[Second Amendment]] [[gun rights]] versus the [[liberal]] [[Mayors Against Illegal Guns]]'s [[gun control]]), and letting the "information" sway the legislator. Often they testify before committees in open hearings.  On controversial issues there may be two or more) teams of opposing lobbyists.<ref>Thomas T. Holyoke, "Interest Group Competition and Cooperation at Legislative Hearings," ''Congress & the Presidency'' 2008 35(2): 17-38,</ref>  

==Famous lobbies==

==Famous lobbies==

===[[Morality]]===

===[[Morality]]===

Before the [[Civil War]], the Christian lobby called for the [[abolitionist|abolition]] of [[slavery]].  It was politically weak and the target of ridicule before the Civil War, when it suddenly became powerful and won its case.  Many continued to lobby on behalf of the Freedmen during [[Reconstruction]]. After 1870 Protestant lobbyists formed working partnerships with Southern [[Democrat]]s (who had a base of Protestant support), along with many [[Republican]]s who represented pietistic<ref>"Pietism, German Pietismus, influential religious reform movement that began among [[German]] Lutherans in the 17th century. It emphasized personal [[faith]] against the main Lutheran church’s perceived stress on doctrine and theology over Christian living. Pietism quickly spread and later became concerned with social and educational matters. As a phenomenon of personal religious renewal, its indirect influence has persisted in Germany and other parts of Europe into the 21st century." [[Fair use]] Pietism, [[Encyclopedia Britannica]], [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/459967/Pietism</ref> [[Protestant]] districts in the North.  The [[lobbyist]]s (and the groups they represented), pushed through [[Congress]] effective federal policies against polygamy, laws banning obscenity and prizefight films from [[interstate commerce]] and the mails, and (especially in the states) laws to restrict prostitution, sex with underage girls, and easy divorce.  They tried not only to put [[Separation of church and state|God]] in the Constitution]] but also, through persuasion and [[legislation]], to control drinking, obesity, divorce, Sabbath observance, gambling, [[smoking]], prize fighting, prostitution, and sex with underage girls.  Most significantly, they fought for [[prohibition]] -- and under professional leadership of the Anti-Saloon League, finally won. Famous leaders included Frances Willard of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Wayne Wheeler of the [[Anti-Saloon League]], and anti-pornography campaigner Anthony Comstock, whose laws against obscenity remain the law of the land.  Proposed [[constitutional amendment]]s regulating divorce and declaring the United States a Christian nation never reached the floor of Congress. Neither did the proposal for federal censorship of movies.<ref> Foster (2002)</ref>  

Before the [[Civil War]], the Christian lobby called for the [[abolitionist|abolition]] of [[slavery]].  It was politically weak and the target of ridicule before the Civil War, when it suddenly became powerful and won its case.  Many continued to lobby on behalf of the Freedmen during [[Reconstruction]]. After 1870 Protestant lobbyists formed working partnerships with Southern [[Democrat]]s (who had a base of Protestant support), along with many [[Republican]]s who represented pietistic<ref>"Pietism, German Pietismus, influential religious reform movement that began among [[German]] Lutherans in the 17th century. It emphasized personal [[faith]] against the main Lutheran church’s perceived stress on doctrine and theology over Christian living. Pietism quickly spread and later became concerned with social and educational matters. As a phenomenon of personal religious renewal, its indirect influence has persisted in Germany and other parts of Europe into the 21st century." [[Fair use]] Pietism, [[Encyclopedia Britannica]], [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/459967/Pietism</ref> [[Protestant]] districts in the North.  The [[lobbyist]]s (and the groups they represented), pushed through [[Congress]] effective federal policies against polygamy, laws banning obscenity and prizefight films from [[interstate commerce]] and the mails, and (especially in the states) laws to restrict prostitution, sex with underage girls, and easy divorce.  They tried not only to put [[Separation of church and state|God]] in the Constitution]] but also, through persuasion and [[legislation]], to control drinking, obesity, divorce, Sabbath observance, gambling, [[smoking]], prize fighting, prostitution, and sex with underage girls.  Most significantly, they fought for [[prohibition]]—and under professional leadership of the Anti-Saloon League, finally won. Famous leaders included Frances Willard of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Wayne Wheeler of the [[Anti-Saloon League]], and anti-pornography campaigner Anthony Comstock, whose laws against obscenity remain the law of the land.  Proposed [[constitutional amendment]]s regulating divorce and declaring the United States a Christian nation never reached the floor of Congress. Neither did the proposal for federal censorship of movies.<ref>Foster (2002)</ref>  

=== Right to Vote===

=== Right to Vote===

==Scandals==

==Scandals==

[[Bribery]] has always been illegal and hints of bribery destroy the effectiveness of a lobbyist -- and seriously hurt major [[politician]]s such as [[James G. Blaine]]. [[Image:84tattoo.jpg|thumb|450px|the famous "tattoed man" cartoon, with Blaine covered by indelible scandals connected to lobbyists; ''Puck'' June 4, 1884 cartoon by Bernhard Gillam]]

[[Bribery]] has always been illegal and hints of bribery destroy the effectiveness of a lobbyist—and seriously hurt major [[politician]]s such as [[James G. Blaine]]. [[Image:84tattoo.jpg|thumb|450px|the famous "tattoed man" cartoon, with Blaine covered by indelible scandals connected to lobbyists; ''Puck'' June 4, 1884 cartoon by Bernhard Gillam]]

Lobbyist [[Jack Abramoff]] in the early 21st century went to prison for his extreme lobbying, especially on behalf of [[American Indian]] casinos. He dragged down numerous allies.

Lobbyist [[Jack Abramoff]] in the early 21st century went to prison for his extreme lobbying, especially on behalf of [[American Indian]] casinos. He dragged down numerous allies.