Lobbying as Bribery

The cluster debates whether lobbying constitutes legalized bribery or corruption, its legality in the US, and its role in influencing politicians through money and access.

📉 Falling 0.3x Politics & Society
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#2768
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Keywords

US EFF PAC ANWR LESS EVEN lobbying lobbyists politicians lobby bribery legislation money campaign representatives politician

Sample Comments

codeka Jan 4, 2013 View on HN

Why do you assume lobbying == doing evil?

croes Sep 12, 2024 View on HN

By lobbying you mean buying politicians?Sounds like capitalism to me.

p1esk Oct 30, 2019 View on HN

Lobbying is not the problem, money changing hands is. In its current form, lobbying works through campaign contributions (and potentially other favors). These are not “worst examples”, it’s standard practice. Why do you think a politician would listen to someone representing Comcast’s interests? Prohibit campaign contributions and you will have politicians listen to what regular people want a lot more.

crispyambulance Sep 12, 2017 View on HN

Sure, lobbying is legal. I can see how, for instance, it can be helpful and needed to inform politicians about complex issues faced by corporations.Unfortunately, lobbying is also easy to abuse when you have very powerful amoral and greedy entities use it and vast sums of money, directly or indirectly, to influence politicians against the interests of the people.

dangwhy Feb 17, 2023 View on HN

lobbying isn't corruption.

tonfreed Jan 28, 2022 View on HN

It's not corruption when you call it lobbying

apalmer Apr 11, 2013 View on HN

ummmm of course not, that's kinda the whole point of political lobbying.

notgoodrobot Mar 4, 2020 View on HN

Maybe it's saving from lobbying?

antaviana Jun 16, 2022 View on HN

If I lobby with 50% + 1 of Congressmen, is it bribery or is it lobbying?

ionised Mar 5, 2018 View on HN

Lobbying in the US is just legalised bribery.