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== [[Lobbyist]]s and PACs ==

== [[Lobbyist]]s and PACs ==

[[Lobbyist]]s are people [[hire]]d by large [[company|companies]] or [[interest group]]s to try to [[influence]] [[public policy]].  They work in the [[capital]] cities of [[states]] (e.g., [[Trenton]], [[NJ]], or [[Jefferson City]], [[Missouri|MO]], or [[Austin]], [[Texas|TX]]) or in [[Washington, D.C.]], the capital of the [[federal government]].  Federal lobbyists have offices on “K” street, a]] [[luxury|luxurious]] area of D.C.  In 1968, there were only 62 lobbyists there.  Now there are 21,000 of them, mostly well paid.

[[Lobbyist]]s are people hired by large [[company|companies]] or [[interest group]]s to try to influence [[public policy]].  They work in the [[capital]] [[city|cities]] of [[states]] (e.g., [[Trenton]], [[New Jersey|NJ]], or [[Jefferson City]], [[Missouri|MO]], or [[Austin]], [[Texas|TX]]) or in [[Washington, D.C.]], the [[capital]] of the [[federal government]].  Federal lobbyists have offices on “K” street, a luxurious area of D.C.  In 1968, there were only 62 [[lobbyist]]s there.  Now there are 21,000 of them, mostly well paid.

Their job is to make [[friend]]s with [[congressmen]] and [[senator]]s and the [[president]] and their [[staff]]s, and then exert influence on [[legislation]] or an action by a [[federal agency]].  The [[lobbyist]]s play [[golf]] with the [[politician]]s, send them [[birthday card]]s, take their staff out to [[dinner]], and show up at the [[Christmas]] parties.  When a [[tragedy]] strikes, they are there to make people feel better.  The [[lobbyist]]s thereby form [[bond]]s that become very strong and [[influence|influential]].

Their job is to make friends with [[congressman|congressmen]] and [[senator]]s and the [[president]] and their staffs, and then exert influence on [[legislation]] or an action by a [[federal]] [[agency]].  The [[lobbyist]]s play [[golf]] with the [[politician]]s, send them birthday cards, take their staff out to dinner, and show up at the [[Christmas]] [[party|parties]].  When a [[tragedy]] strikes, they are there to make people feel better.  The [[lobbyist]]s thereby form [[bond]]s that become very strong and influential.

It is not easy being a [[congressman]], [[senator]] or even the [[president]].  If it looks easy, it isn’t.  They constantly worry about re[[election]] and possible [[embarrassment]].  Everyone is looking to knock them down.  Often they deserve to be [[oust]]ed from [[office]], so the fear is justified!

It is not easy being a [[congressman]], [[senator]] or even the [[president]].  If it looks easy, it isn’t.  They constantly worry about re[[election]] and possible embarrassment.  Everyone is looking to knock them down.  Often they deserve to be ousted from office, so the [[fear]] is justified!

[[Lobbyist]]s make the [[politician]]s feel better.  Make them feel [[love]]d.  Send them [[candy|candies]] and tell them how [[great]] they are.  Then, at the right time, the [[lobbyist]]s just ask for a small [[favor]]: insert a few lines into a piece of [[legislation]] for them.  The [[politician]] doesn’t have any [[reason]] not to.  And another few [[million]] [[dollar]]s goes out the door of the [[federal government]] as a [[grant]] or [[tax break]] for a [[special interest group]].

[[Lobbyist]]s make the [[politician]]s feel better.  Make them feel [[love]]d.  Send them [[candy|candies]] and tell them how great they are.  Then, at the right time, the [[lobbyist]]s just ask for a small favor: insert a few lines into a piece of [[legislation]] for them.  The [[politician]] doesn’t have any [[reason]] not to.  And another few [[powers_of_ten|million]] [[dollar]]s goes out the door of the [[federal government]] as a grant or [[tax]] break for a special [[interest group]].

The [[lobbyist]]s have their biggest [[impact]] on the [[staff]] of [[congressmen]], who are the ones doing most of the [[work]].  Imagine yourself as a [[staff worker]] for a [[Republican]] in the North, or a [[Democrat]] in the South.  You see which way the [[wind]] is blowing: [[Republican]]s are losing in the North and [[Democrat]]s are losing in the South.  When your [[boss]], the [[congressman]] or [[senator]], loses re[[election]] or [[retire]]s, you are out of your [[job]].  And even if he [[win]]s, you are not making much and you are [[work]]ing very long hours.

The [[lobbyist]]s have their biggest impact on the staff of [[congressman|congressmen]], who are the ones doing most of the work.  Imagine yourself as a staff worker for a [[Republican]] in the North, or a [[Democrat]] in the South.  You see which way the [[wind]] is blowing: [[Republican]]s are losing in the North and [[Democrat]]s are losing in the South.  When your boss, the [[congressman]] or [[senator]], loses re[[election]] or retires, you are out of your job.  And even if he wins, you are not making much and you are working very long [[hour]]s.

The [[lobbyist]] tells you how much better is to [[work]] on “K” [[street]] as a [[lobbyist]] rather than on [[Capitol Hill]] for the [[U.S. Government]].  The [[lobbyist]]s make more [[money]] and have more [[fun]], you are told.  If you impress the [[lobbyist]], then he’ll put in a [[good word]] for you and try to get you a nice [[job]].  Next thing you know, all the [[staffer]]s are trying harder to please the [[lobbyist]]s than to [[serve]] the public.

The [[lobbyist]] tells you how much better is to [[work]] on “K” street as a [[lobbyist]] rather than on [[Capitol Hill]] for the [[U.S. Government]].  The [[lobbyist]]s make more [[money]] and have more fun, you are told.  If you impress the [[lobbyist]], then he’ll put in a good word for you and try to get you a nice job.  Next thing you know, all the staffers are trying harder to please the [[lobbyist]]s than to serve the public.

[[Lobbyist]]s also help raise money for [[politician]]s for their re[[election]], in the form of [[political action committee]]s (PACs).  These are special [[account]]s set up to raise [[money]] that can be given to a [[candidate]].  Every large [[company]] has one.  [[Employee]]s are told they should [[donate]] to the company’s PAC so that it can give [[money]] to [[important]] [[politician]]s in D.C.  It has become [[necessary]] to donate to [[politician]]s to help them win, in order to catch their attention.  You can [[bet]] politicians appreciate those who send money for reelection.

[[Lobbyist]]s also help raise money for [[politician]]s for their re[[election]], in the form of [[politics|political]] action committees (PACs).  These are special accounts set up to raise [[money]] that can be given to a [[candidate]].  Every large [[company]] has one.  Employees are told they should donate to the [[company]]’s PAC so that it can give [[money]] to important [[politician]]s in D.C.  It has become necessary to donate to [[politician]]s to help them win, in order to catch their attention.  You can bet politicians appreciate those who send [[money]] for re[[election]].

== What Would James Madison Say? ==

== What Would James Madison Say? ==