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Lobbying

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Maken

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I read up on the term of "Lobbying" on the Lexicon but it only gave a definitive explanation about what lobbying is and it more or less just mocked lobbyists.

Can anyone explain to me what Rand would have said about Lobbying in today's society: (ie lobbying over health care, bailouts, etc).

Here is what the Lexicon provided:

“Lobbying” is the activity of attempting to influence legislation by privately influencing the legislators. It is the result and creation of a mixed economy—of government by pressure groups. Its methods range from mere social courtesies and cocktail-party or luncheon “friendships” to favors, threats, bribes, blackmail.

Thanks :D

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There is nothing wrong with doing what you need to do to survive. In the sorry state of our society, doctors need to "lobby" to prevent themselves from being enslaved by popular vote, for instance. The Lexicon is exactly right, the broad use of lobbying is a result of a mixed economy--just like roach spray is the result of roaches. There's nothing wrong with roach spray as long as your goal is actually fewer roaches and not simply herding them into your neighbor's house.

OP

I read up on the term of "Lobbying" on the Lexicon but it only gave a definitive explanation about what lobbying is and it more or less just mocked lobbyists.

Can anyone explain to me what Rand would have said about Lobbying in today's society: (ie lobbying over health care, bailouts, etc).

Here is what the Lexicon provided:

“Lobbying” is the activity of attempting to influence legislation by privately influencing the legislators. It is the result and creation of a mixed economy—of government by pressure groups. Its methods range from mere social courtesies and cocktail-party or luncheon “friendships” to favors, threats, bribes, blackmail.

Thanks :D

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The concept of lobbying was originally considered by the Founding Fathers to be the process of people petitioning government for a redress of their grievances (see the 1st Amendment). In that sense, there is nothing inherently wrong with lobbying. The problem arises when government is allowed to regulate, tax, and control things that are outside of its core functions, which should focus on protecting individual rights (national defense, police, courts). So, in today's context, when (for example) big pharmacy companies send their lobbyists to Washington to seal a healthcare deal with President Obama, the definition you referenced that mentions "a mixed economy", "threats, bribes and blackmail", isn't too far off the mark.

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