Lobbyists and earmarking are the easiest kids on the playground to pick on.


We need both surprisingly.

Lobbying is extremely vital. Though corruption can be a concern, its a major method to communicate with the government. Public opinion is often sent down the line via lobbyists.

From wiki: earmarks refer to congressional provisions that direct approved funds to be spent on specific projects, or that direct specific exemptions from taxes or mandated fees.

At 18 billion a year, earmarking is far from the most imposing thing on the US budget. It is an extremely important method of apportionment.

 

Come on naar; you've proven to be a smart and well informed individual. Don't give me the song and dance that lobbyists are needed. How come other developed nations don't have them and they still function?

Earmarks; I know what they are, they are tag alongs that every congressional member puts in any Bill going through congress. That's how you end up paying for things such as the "Bridge to nowhere" in Alaska. Granted, 18 billion a year is not that big a figure but; you have to start somewhere.

 

Here's more proof that this is a global issue. Europe is just starting a rescue: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/...tis.php?page=1

You'll see that European banks did indeed hold some of those "toxic" mortgages.

 

I'm not much for politics, so maybe my opinion is immature, but...
To me I've always seen lobbying as a form of legal bribery.
Just seems like such a corrupt way of doing things....

 

what's your definition of poor? Is it someone who makes 40,000 a year and had to buy a house 2 hours out of town because everything within a 30 minute drive is out of his price range? no mass transit system in the nation can help him. that's why the houses in the exurbs are so cheap--they're virtually inaccessible.

plus, someone has to be buying the used KIAs.

 

The price of gas has a direct effect on EVERYTHING. The cost of a loaf of bread is dependent on the price of gas. Everything will become more expensive because of transportation costs.

 

AMEN!

Nothing immature in your statement. You guys still have the best political and legal system in the world but that doesn't mean it can't be improved.

It's gotten to the point where most of the new laws enacted by your congress are the result of lobbyists' proposals.

 

so has anyone read the current bailout that's being voted on today?

you know... to stay on topic.

 

Maybe I'm so defensive about the entire ordeal because I myself want to work in lobbying when i'm out of school

And lobbying does exist in many countries. It may be more regulated, but it exists everywhere. Its defined as any attempt to persuade legislators on a particular vote or policy.

Here in the United States, lobbyists are limited to giving the exact same amount of money as any individual. Bill Clinton once defended lobbying by saying that they're only as powerful monetarily as any standard citizen. Grassroots lobbying (actual citizens speaking to legislators is encouraged in most state level legislative systems. Its a powerful way to get things done.

My cousin lobbys for the local fire department. He goes to lunch with our representatives to secure funds and resources for his fire department. What would his fire station do without the extra help?

I read the summation of the plan on Rueters. Needless to say, it scares me shitless. Obama had a nice slipup in the debate where he mentioned taxpayers being paid back by wall street, he said something along the lines of if and when wall street comes back, they can repay taxpayers. Key word there being "if". IF wall street is broken and the system of credit is failing, Ron Paul and all those Austrian Economists will be rejoicing in the streets.

 

Rejected.

 

nevermind.

ps: dow at 10,400 and falling. weird to see a near-4000 point spread over the last 52 weeks.

 

Didn't think I'd see it drop below 10k.. good time to invest

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080929/...ncial_meltdown


As for the lobbying comments, seriously I just don't see how it's ok for this to work this way. Basically whoever pays the most, gets the governments support... To me sounds very similiar to how the mob used to (still most likely) payoff the police...
They can say its for this, or that...or raising funds, or charities or whatever they want...but basically its like a good old fashioned bribe/auction to get the laws that benefit them passed...

Anyway, I'm kinda glad they shot down the Bailout. I'm sure it'll get voted in after some adjustments...but as it stands, they are bailing out the banks, which bails out wall street, which as I stated does alot fo good in general for the economy, and is necessay.....but absolutely does nothing for the many many homeowner's that are losing their homes.
I actually have no qualls with letting the prices of homes deflate back to normal, but continuing to foreclose on homes is what needs to be addressed.
Very crude suggest:
Take the 700billion, divide it up by the homeowners and apply it to their mortgage balance...then rewrite the loans, based on the lower loan amount, into FIXED rate mortgages. Although crude, you guys get where I'm going with this..
Basically, IMO if the balances on people mortgages aren't lowered/partially forgiven to make the debt = to the median values, the foreclosures will continue, as will the uncertainty of the market, as will the decline in home values.....

 

Remember when Microsoft was forced to split due to monopoly laws? You'll see a sharp rise in the amount of money they invested in lobbying that year....like millions, funny thing is, it correlates with them ultimately not having to split.

 

^^great example...

And doesn't alot of this money end up in "campaign donations" and whatnot, basically in the pockets of whoever is in charge...

I'm not knocking you naar, just the system...
From an outsiders POV, seems like those with the most money ultimately can buy the lawmakers...not really a far stretch considering whats seen in the judicial system, healtcare system, etc... Rich keep getting richer

 

INVEST? --- For some reason I can't help but think that money slips into peoples pockets --- (senators/congressman)

I beleive it is called "GREASING" --- Am I too cynical?

I find it hard to beleive that they are all there because they want to help the population of America and there individual states.

By the way Brainy -- I just used your post as an example of corrupt government. It had nothing to do with Microsoft.

 

I AGREE 100% with this post from the Honorable Sir from MIAMI

 

^lol and I actually 100% agree with urs

 

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/in...-clinton-uncut

Go to 11 min 30 sec.

Bill Clinton defending lobbying.

 

here's what's funny. the personal donation limit is 2300 dollars for the actual race.

but there is no limit to what a political action committee can spend to promote a certain candidate.