Discussion » Questions » Politics » Do lobby groups and Super PACs . . .
Stemmata949

Do lobby groups and Super PACs . . .

Do lobby groups and Super PACs work to deliberately override the democratic principle in promoting their own self-serving political, business and other marginal interests through tightly focussed, near-predatory, private agendas?

Were they allowed, for ulterior reasons, into lawful existence to specifically upset and supersede the basic democratic principle? How does that benefit the lawmakers who promoted it?

Their operating methods and limits of action seem to be governed more by self-determined rules, policies and guidelines rather than being properly controlled by strong laws imposed by government to the benefit of all.

If you could affect the situation, would you be in favour of Super PACs and paid lobbyists being able to influence government or against?     

Posted - August 20, 2018
Tag : lobby groups; Super PACs

Responses


  • 6098
    No I see them as a function of the democratic principle. Along with any other groups or individuals that have particular agendas and seek to promote those agendas. Whether by influence, education, activism, or any other means.  What we call "government" is after all just an assemblage of individuals and laws.  All of which may be influences or changed.  Often what is deemed a "benefit" by some people is not seen as one by others.  So you have different opinions which is part of the democratic principle.  Without them a government would try to impose of us what "benefits all" rather than people as individuals making up their own minds. 

    Not a matter of being "allowed" - they just exist.  Because once you have to look to a central government to "allow" this or that or anything what you have is totalitarianism and the individual no longer matters.  The groups you speak of and others are simply people getting together to promote their interests or what they feel is important. 
      August 20, 2018 5:33 AM MDT
    3

  • 6023
    Officegirl has a good answer.

    And for the most part, lobbying groups are merely a means for The People to organize as a group and send a non-government representative before government.

    How many of us can afford the time and expense of travelling back to Washington DC to meet with our representatives?  VERY few.
    Not to mention there isn't enough time in the year for our representatives to meet us one-on-one, even if we could all afford to go.
    So we NEED lobbyists to "remind" our representatives of our interests.

    Of course, we shouldn't just rely on lobbyists.
    We should also be contacting them via email, phone, USPS, or any other means.

    We should also be exercising our ability to vote them out of office, when they fail to represent our interests ... not rely on some hoped-for "term limit" amendment, which they will NEVER pass on themselves.
      August 20, 2018 7:59 AM MDT
    2

  • 2658


    This post was edited by Beans/SilentGeneration at August 20, 2018 11:08 AM MDT
      August 20, 2018 11:03 AM MDT
    0

  • 6477
    I've no idea what a PAC is, it's an acronym I am unfamiliar with but no, quite the reverse - the right to lobby and to demonstrate is democratic. It's a means whereby the public can show government when they aren't happy.. and generally speaking while some of the freakish, extremist demonstrations are usually representative of a minority - many of the bigger ones aren't. One could take the view that for every one person who takes the trouble to attend a demo, there are probably 3 or more who would have liked to but were unable to attend.. 
    I am happy that because of some demos laws and situations have changed.. people power and not government riding roughshod appeal to me. 

    Without demos and lobbies there would be no effective means of letting govt. know how the people feel.
      August 20, 2018 1:39 PM MDT
    0

  • 22891
    not sure what your question is
      September 9, 2018 4:43 PM MDT
    0