U.S. Constitution, amendment 1=Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, OR THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE PEACEABLY TO ASSEMBLE, AND TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.-Lobbyists are groups of PEOPLE who are trying to PETITION the government….I vote, and I support conservative lobby organizations for the causes I care about, Pro Life, Pro Free Speech on all forms of Media, helps for military Veterans, etc.(how a professed “liberal” can go against the free speech for volunteer and free will LOBBYIST GROUPS, I can not understand)
at disgustedtaxpayer – I understand what you are saying. We certainly don’t want to stop groups from lobbying for a cause. My problem is that lobbying has become donating large amounts of money to a campaign. It just doesn’t seem that donating money should be considered free speech. That goes for right wing causes or my left wing causes. Your thoughts?
@disgustedTaxpayer – to think that lobbying is merely the exercise of First Amendment rights misses the point by a mile. Lobbying often goes well beyond first amendment speech by trading cash for favors – in other words, bribes.
If I give a judge a bunch of money before he makes a judgment on me, it’s a crime. If I give a bunch of money to a judge for his campaign before he makes a judgment on me, it’s free speech. See the difference?
If politicians are elected by the people to serve the people why do lobbyist/corporations have any influence at all? Sure – All sides should be permitted to make their arguments with historical data, firm facts, expert opinions and legal petitions – but they should never ever been allowed to BUY influence! And so now – we, “99%” are the disorderly bad guys for demanding the corrupt law makers protect us from corruption. It’s all nut$!Money + Greed =’s THE Wrong kind of Power
What needs to be done is too painful to do. So we hitch up our preschool britches and play partisan politics. However, I would like to mention right here that I’m right, and you’re so obviously wrong.
d_legendary1 over 12 years ago
The supreme court would rule it unconstitutional.
Simon_Jester over 12 years ago
You know, thinking about it, the lobbyists are the people the Occupy movement should REALLY go after with their protests.
disgustedtaxpayer over 12 years ago
U.S. Constitution, amendment 1=Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, OR THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE PEACEABLY TO ASSEMBLE, AND TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.-Lobbyists are groups of PEOPLE who are trying to PETITION the government….I vote, and I support conservative lobby organizations for the causes I care about, Pro Life, Pro Free Speech on all forms of Media, helps for military Veterans, etc.(how a professed “liberal” can go against the free speech for volunteer and free will LOBBYIST GROUPS, I can not understand)
tbemont Premium Member over 12 years ago
at disgustedtaxpayer – I understand what you are saying. We certainly don’t want to stop groups from lobbying for a cause. My problem is that lobbying has become donating large amounts of money to a campaign. It just doesn’t seem that donating money should be considered free speech. That goes for right wing causes or my left wing causes. Your thoughts?
tcolkett over 12 years ago
Thanks superman. Looks good.
Kirk Sinclair over 12 years ago
@disgustedTaxpayer – to think that lobbying is merely the exercise of First Amendment rights misses the point by a mile. Lobbying often goes well beyond first amendment speech by trading cash for favors – in other words, bribes.
ARodney over 12 years ago
If I give a judge a bunch of money before he makes a judgment on me, it’s a crime. If I give a bunch of money to a judge for his campaign before he makes a judgment on me, it’s free speech. See the difference?
pirate227 over 12 years ago
Sorry 99%, money equals free speech so, if your not rich, your “free speech” is limited to your bank account.
MaeRiot over 12 years ago
If politicians are elected by the people to serve the people why do lobbyist/corporations have any influence at all? Sure – All sides should be permitted to make their arguments with historical data, firm facts, expert opinions and legal petitions – but they should never ever been allowed to BUY influence! And so now – we, “99%” are the disorderly bad guys for demanding the corrupt law makers protect us from corruption. It’s all nut$!Money + Greed =’s THE Wrong kind of Power
Noveltman over 12 years ago
What needs to be done is too painful to do. So we hitch up our preschool britches and play partisan politics. However, I would like to mention right here that I’m right, and you’re so obviously wrong.
Simon_Jester over 12 years ago
You tried that back in 2000-2008….and look where it got us.