Reform necessary to combat corruption among lobbyists

[NVMojo]

January 17, 2005

Whatever way public opinion might decide to sway, lobbyists have always been a necessary link in the American political process. By communicating the needs of the people to those in government who are there to hear them, lobbyists are active pursuers of change — shooting much needed adrenaline into the notoriously slow lawmaking process. Normally hired by private and public interest groups, and found working in state and local levels all the way to Capitol Hill, their job is to use whatever means necessary to win lawmakers over to their side of the fence.

The competition only becomes fiercer as the stakes increase; often it is the lobbyist who fronts the group with the biggest financial backing or the largest amount of public support and wins the most allies. Yet sometimes certain lawmakers still cannot make up their minds about whom to support; they need some “added encouragement.”

This greed-fueled enticement is dangerous for both lobbyists and lawmakers. The hallmarks of sincere lobbying — honest information gathering and appealing to the American people to achieve a bipartisan persuasion — are shamefully cast aside for secret bribes, favoritism and fraud.

more...

http://www.collegiatetimes.com/news/2/ARTICLE/6257/2006-01-17.html?sid=50bdd2e9bb5736f9023400d2c12d2030