There are a lot of words that I’m sure come to mind when you first think of a lobbyist, and I am guessing ‘civil’ is not one of them. Most people think of lobbyists as scammers, corrupt, liars, bribers, and manipulating. While I am sure those types of lobbyists exist, I am here to convince you that lobbyists can indeed be civil AND helpful to the common people in a couple of ways.
You don’t have to be a lobbyist to lobby!
You heard me, YOU can lobby to your congressional leaders. Writing, emailing, and calling their offices about what is important to you is a way to lobby. Tell them you support a certain piece of legislation. Their secretaries keep a tab of those, every day. Legislatures don’t always know what is going on at the ground level. If you see an issue and want it considered, contact your congressional leaders and get your voice heard!
It depends on what they are lobbying for.
There are lobbyists who work for large corporations or massive banking industries that try to push more money for the already rich. They bribe Congress with large sums of money to have their client’s agenda pushed instead of what is best for the American people. However, there are also lobbyists who work for nonprofit groups that try to get legislation passed to protect the marginalized, oppressed, the poor, animals, mental health, and many other areas. Their goal is to convince Congress to support special interests of the American people, some of whom have not been given the chance to be listened to.
Lobbying goes back as far as democratic processes have taken place. They are crucial to government and policy procedure, but they do not have to work against the American people. Lobbyists can and should be used to advocate for good and for the people who cannot speak for themselves.
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