The question of what is lobbying is something that most people do not understand. In some cases, individuals who have corrupted it have given lobbying a bad name. However, lobbying is an integral part of U.S. culture. It is a core part of how people can be a part of the legislative process in the country. As a result, politicians have to implement what the people feel is right, not just what they desire personally. In fact, banning lobbying would be disastrous for the country.

One issue that people fail to acknowledge when bashing lobbying is that it is part of the constitution. To understand what is lobbying, you will need to read the First Amendment. It states that it is the right of U.S. citizens to petition the government for any grievances they many have. Thus, lobbying is part of the process through which the people can petition the government for any cause they may have. One way in which lobbying is used is to loosen regulation that is bad for business. Additionally, lobbyists have been crucial in creating tighter restrictions for patent laws.

Lobbyists have also been crucial in the creation of humane laws. They have led to the creation of legislation that provides more funding for the homeless and unemployed. Although lobbying is mostly associated with, ‘special interests’ it has been crucial in raising awareness on many key issues.

The legislative process is quite complicated in the United States. For one, laws need an in-depth understanding of various scientific processes. Congressional representatives do not have the time to learn all the intricacies of some of the laws they create. It would take months of classwork to get a grasp of some of the issues on which they legislate. As a result, a lobbyist with the right expertise helps to explain to members of the legislative body what the legislation entails. They act as an important conduit between complex issues that need regulation and members of Congress.

There is no denying that lobbying and money are related issues. However, that is a necessary part of the legislative process. Lobbyists are much like lawyers in a courtroom. They provide an essential service, and they are duly compensated for it. Furthermore, lobbyists only provide an opinion to the congressmen. Their influence ends when the member of Congress goes to cast his or her vote. However, their work has been crucial to bringing the opinions of Americans inside Congress.

Lobbying has always been part of the United States. It was there during the first session of Congress, and it will be there well into the future. If you have an important issue and you feel that it needs to be legislated upon, contact a lobbyist. It is one of the easiest and most trusted methods used in the country to get things done. It is more effective than picketing in most cases.

Sources

  1. http://study.com/academy/lesson/lobbying-definition-purpose-methods.html
  2. http://pac.org/ethics/Response-to-Abramoff-Scandal
  3. http://people.howstuffworks.com/lobbying.htm
  4. http://www.mngrc.org/what-is-lobbying-
  5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying