New California declares independence from California

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Spock

Senior Member

Fri, Jan 19, 2018 6:21 PM
posted by j_crazy

no anger, just how i talk, you know that...

 

i also agree with 99% of what you're saying i'm just saying there is a 0.0% chance of this happening so we'd better use our time trying to fix the issues that cause this conversation to come up.

You can't conversate with the people that cause those problems

gut

Senior Member

Fri, Jan 19, 2018 6:51 PM
posted by queencitybuckeye

The offset is money changing hands in one form or another. Is it really a net gain? Doubt it. Not to mention that the typical lobbyist is not a SME, they're the dumbass whose office was down the hall before it was time to get on the other side of the gravy train.

No, the lobbyist is representing and relaying info from the SME.  And often they've joined a lobbying group, where they specialize and DO become a subject matter expert (and that specialization is usually related to their prior experience in the private sector, or perhaps their public service).  You don't just hang out a shingle and come one, come all start lobbying for anyone and everyone who will pay you.

There are not certain lobbyists who only offer access to certain legislators.  It really doesn't work that way.  There are THOUSANDS of lobbyists nationally (you have to remember state and locally).  Most of those lobbyists specialize in an industry and have deep industry knowledge.  Virtually no overlap between the Food guys and the Pharma guys.  You don't just sell access - effective lobbyists bring much more to the table.

I think competing interests both pleading their case is how effective/good compromise comes about.  You have people making laws in a vacuum and it's a disaster.