One of the brilliant parts of my upper-division POE classes was the "honor" of meeting such characters. We met several mayors, the governor, the Attorney General, various other government workers and last but not least... a lobbyist.
The lobbyist strikes the most vivid memory because of his personality. It seemed almost comical because he had so much energy. He was extremely enthused about his line of work and in all honesty, this made me quite suspicious. I had preconceived notions about lobbyist prior to this guest appearance, but his antics confirmed many of my fears.
And yes, you're completely right about playing both sides of the table. It was astonishing when I learned that the politics digs it's nails deep into the arteries of the state. Lobbyists, again, are only one small part of the big puzzle but they are most certainly a very annoying thorn that nobody seems to be able to dislodge. It is staggering how much power lobbyists have in light of legislation. And representatives! Gosh, that's a whole extra tier that must be persuaded.... it's utter chaos.
And I think both you and I know exactly why the United States isn't allowing these companies to die. both out of fear and out of the fact that more power is in the hands of major corporations than the legislative bodies that were given the enumerated rights.
Yup, the only thing I am truly certain of, is our world is going to change drastically again. It's the kind of change that can bring war on out of desperation. Let's hope not
I'm not sure about how much influence lobbyists have. Sure, they give money to campaigns in hopes of getting legislation passed in their favor, but ive met a few assemblymen who have voted against legislation that would favor their supporting lobbyists. The bottom line is, every campaign should be publically financed. The whole process of getting money for campaigning is so cumbersome and tedious that it becomes distracting. The people involved in government I know have told me about how there are a ton of fine line provisions regarding who can you get money from, how much they can give, and they would have to call up these people and they would have no idea who the candidates were. SO, you have to have some kind of public financing to stop any kind of lobbying or interest group influence, or more importantly, to stop the worrying that these groups are indirectly passing legislation. Plus, candidates would have so much more time to campaign, and it would weed out all of the candidates who have a shit load of money and can privately run their campaigns themselves.
I'm not sure about how much influence lobbyists have. Sure, they give money to campaigns in hopes of getting legislation passed in their favor, but ive met a few assemblymen who have voted against legislation that would favor their supporting lobbyists. The bottom line is, every campaign should be publically financed. The whole process of getting money for campaigning is so cumbersome and tedious that it becomes distracting. The people involved in government I know have told me about how there are a ton of fine line provisions regarding who can you get money from, how much they can give, and they would have to call up these people and they would have no idea who the candidates were. SO, you have to have some kind of public financing to stop any kind of lobbying or interest group influence, or more importantly, to stop the worrying that these groups are indirectly passing legislation. Plus, candidates would have so much more time to campaign, and it would weed out all of the candidates who have a shit load of money and can privately run their campaigns themselves.
To give you a better idea of a lobbyist take this definition:
someone who is employed to persuade legislators to vote for legislation that favors the lobbyist's employer wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
Now, I think you misunderstand the reasons why lobbyists have so much power. Their power doesn't require money. Their job is to persuade legislators for companies, individuals, groups, etc. Their sole purpose is to persuade. Successful lobbyists are, obviously, those that are the most influential.
I hope you see where this is going, because these are people that are not elected that are swaying the thoughts of those whom the people elect. The public does not have any say in what lobbyists do because they are outside of the limits that are put upon the state government.
Lobbyists gaining money for campaigns is only a part of the power that they weild. Campaigns aren't only financed by large corporations. And generally, it's not the lobbyists that get these companies to finance candidates, it's the candidate themselves. If the candidate promises companies earmarks or favors they will fund their campaigns. I'm in class at the moment, otherwise I'd explain further.
Clearly you are underestimating the Spanish population in the states.
I'm not denying there are a lot of Spanish speaking people in the US, I just think if you live in the US you should be able to also speak and read basic English. That may just be ignorance on my part though.
If you live in a Country you should learn and use their language.
Just like if I travel to another country other than the US I try and learn as much as possible.
It's respectful to the individuals living there.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Watching 240 guys talk trash about cavaliers is like two retards having a slapfight over a sippy cup.
Yes, I know that they lobby for a specific cause. Some of these causes are worthy causes though, and they still have to persuade the congressman to vote in their favor anyway. I'm a political science major too by the way.
very valid - and often overlooked - point. Lobbyists are always made out to be the bad guys, but what about the people lobbying for Net Neutrality? Are they evil?
Yes, I know that they lobby for a specific cause. Some of these causes are worthy causes though, and they still have to persuade the congressman to vote in their favor anyway. I'm a political science major too by the way.
I was not trying to belittle your academic integrity, moreover, explain the angle that I felt was missed in your response. I agree with you regarding how campaigns are financed but I still fear that with those sanctions other problems will still occur. I personally think that candidates should have a money cap total to use for their campaigns period. This would make up for candidate inequality on all fronts assuming that both candidates can meet that maximum. It's a difficult dilemma...
Quote from "Daemaro" »
I'm not denying there are a lot of Spanish speaking people in the US, I just think if you live in the US you should be able to also speak and read basic English. That may just be ignorance on my part though.
I'm with you 100% on this one - but I can't turn a blind eye to reality just because I don't agree with how it is functioning. I wish that we could just deport all the illegals but we just can't. They are the backbone of our economy because they take all the jobs that nobody wants to get dirty doing. They also maintain a commanding voting pool that politicians capitalize on - it's rather disgusting.
I'm with you 100% on this one - but I can't turn a blind eye to reality just because I don't agree with how it is functioning. I wish that we could just deport all the illegals but we just can't. They are the backbone of our economy because they take all the jobs that nobody wants to get dirty doing. They also maintain a commanding voting pool that politicians capitalize on - it's rather disgusting.
Well I don't really have a problem with them, because they do like you said take a lot of the dirty jobs, but they shouldn't be allowed to vote, they're not citizens, and they should learn minimal English since we're a English speaking country.
Well I don't really have a problem with them, because they do like you said take a lot of the dirty jobs, but they shouldn't be allowed to vote, they're not citizens, and they should learn minimal English since we're a English speaking country.
Yes, they should have to learn English. And no, they shouldn't be allowed to vote. Many of the illegals themselves cannot vote but they are breeding children that can. I think one of the worst loopholes of the American system is the citizen birth laws of the US. All they need to do is cross our border and give birth to their child for it to be a US citizen... parentage laws also allow the parent to stay within the United States until their children are of legal adult age.
There is such a huge influx of hispanic immigrants that it gives very little credence to American customs. They form tight-knit communities (at least many do) that makes it so they do not need to integrate in full American society. These communities are often started by illegals, and as that implies, there isn't even a way for any sort of law to force English on them.
But in all honesty, I'd be perfectly okay with all immigrants if they learned English and attempted to fully integrate in American society. I'd feel much better about giving them my tax dollars, because that's were a good chunk of it is going. (Along with bail-outs and other various undertakings of the government)
Spanish version of a 'vote for Obama' poster, "si se puede" = yes we can. Well more like 'Yes, he can.'
I've never seen it before. lol
Altho. someone could post a pic of me with asshole on my forehead and unless it was explained I would never understand.. I'd just think "wtf".
Dot dot dot...
Yes, that's what it says.
On another note I was going to say that you should look at the image location but it directs you to a photobucket account.
Yup, the only thing I am truly certain of, is our world is going to change drastically again. It's the kind of change that can bring war on out of desperation. Let's hope not
Clearly you are underestimating the Spanish population in the states.
Several different Spanish Cultures to go a long.
To give you a better idea of a lobbyist take this definition:
someone who is employed to persuade legislators to vote for legislation that favors the lobbyist's employer
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
Now, I think you misunderstand the reasons why lobbyists have so much power. Their power doesn't require money. Their job is to persuade legislators for companies, individuals, groups, etc. Their sole purpose is to persuade. Successful lobbyists are, obviously, those that are the most influential.
I hope you see where this is going, because these are people that are not elected that are swaying the thoughts of those whom the people elect. The public does not have any say in what lobbyists do because they are outside of the limits that are put upon the state government.
Lobbyists gaining money for campaigns is only a part of the power that they weild. Campaigns aren't only financed by large corporations. And generally, it's not the lobbyists that get these companies to finance candidates, it's the candidate themselves. If the candidate promises companies earmarks or favors they will fund their campaigns. I'm in class at the moment, otherwise I'd explain further.
Cheers.
I'm not denying there are a lot of Spanish speaking people in the US, I just think if you live in the US you should be able to also speak and read basic English. That may just be ignorance on my part though.
If you live in a Country you should learn and use their language.
Just like if I travel to another country other than the US I try and learn as much as possible.
It's respectful to the individuals living there.
very valid - and often overlooked - point. Lobbyists are always made out to be the bad guys, but what about the people lobbying for Net Neutrality? Are they evil?
I was not trying to belittle your academic integrity, moreover, explain the angle that I felt was missed in your response. I agree with you regarding how campaigns are financed but I still fear that with those sanctions other problems will still occur. I personally think that candidates should have a money cap total to use for their campaigns period. This would make up for candidate inequality on all fronts assuming that both candidates can meet that maximum. It's a difficult dilemma...
I'm with you 100% on this one - but I can't turn a blind eye to reality just because I don't agree with how it is functioning. I wish that we could just deport all the illegals but we just can't. They are the backbone of our economy because they take all the jobs that nobody wants to get dirty doing. They also maintain a commanding voting pool that politicians capitalize on - it's rather disgusting.
Well I don't really have a problem with them, because they do like you said take a lot of the dirty jobs, but they shouldn't be allowed to vote, they're not citizens, and they should learn minimal English since we're a English speaking country.
Yes, they should have to learn English. And no, they shouldn't be allowed to vote. Many of the illegals themselves cannot vote but they are breeding children that can. I think one of the worst loopholes of the American system is the citizen birth laws of the US. All they need to do is cross our border and give birth to their child for it to be a US citizen... parentage laws also allow the parent to stay within the United States until their children are of legal adult age.
There is such a huge influx of hispanic immigrants that it gives very little credence to American customs. They form tight-knit communities (at least many do) that makes it so they do not need to integrate in full American society. These communities are often started by illegals, and as that implies, there isn't even a way for any sort of law to force English on them.
But in all honesty, I'd be perfectly okay with all immigrants if they learned English and attempted to fully integrate in American society. I'd feel much better about giving them my tax dollars, because that's were a good chunk of it is going. (Along with bail-outs and other various undertakings of the government)