Corporate lobbying is one of those things that just fills me with despair every time I think about it. It's rich people bribing politicians to affect legislation, and not only is it legal, it's openly accepted and not viewed as much of a problem by most people. How can we possibly hope to overthrow capitalism when capitalists use their influence to literally control the government and everybody knows about it and nobody cares? I mean, these glorified bribers are actual public figures who openly identify as "lobbyists", that's how accepted this practice is. It's just another part of the system.
sleepsholymountain on November 7th, 2017 at 15:29 UTC »
Corporate lobbying is one of those things that just fills me with despair every time I think about it. It's rich people bribing politicians to affect legislation, and not only is it legal, it's openly accepted and not viewed as much of a problem by most people. How can we possibly hope to overthrow capitalism when capitalists use their influence to literally control the government and everybody knows about it and nobody cares? I mean, these glorified bribers are actual public figures who openly identify as "lobbyists", that's how accepted this practice is. It's just another part of the system.
nsadonvisadjco on November 7th, 2017 at 15:37 UTC »
Illegal bribery:
Special interest: If you support bill x, I'll donate $10k per month to your campaign.
Politician: Because of your donation I will support bill x.
Legal lobbying:
Special interest: I would like you to support bill x. Completely unrelatedly, I will donate $10k per month to your campaign.
Politician: Thank you for the donation. Completely unrelatedly, I will support bill x.
honeycakes on November 7th, 2017 at 16:56 UTC »
A police office enforces the law. Give a police officer money, it is bribery.
A judge interprets the law. Give a judge money, it is bribery.
Politicians make the laws. Give a politician money, it is campaign finance.
Definitely not bribery. /s