Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Wikipedia Update
My addition to the Wikipedia article was deleted within 10 minutes of addition. I am a little suprised at the bit of disappointment I felt when I saw that. haha. I suppose I was hoping to at least make it an hour. Maybe I'll add it again tomorrow.
Wikipedia Entry
The article that I contributed to was under the category "Various Viewpoints on Lobbying" on the page of Wikipedia entiled "Lobbying". I thought it was pretty cool to see my entry on the main page when I completed it but was also a bit nervous that it would be deleted immediately by the site. Knowing that it could be viewed by anyone, I began to second guess everything that I was writing. Overall, however, I liked the idea that my ideas were now on a page that I had used for information when we first started this project at the start of the semester.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying#Viewpoints_on_lobbying
Username: Awojno
Entry:
"Although many sources defend the use of lobbying as a means of voicing the concerns of a certain group, there are also drawbacks to the practice as well. Perhaps the most obvious and common of these drawbacks is the possibility of a corruptive system. This corruption can come in many forms; one being unfair campaign donations, or even direct payment by way of the lobbyist to a politician in exchange for the the passage of desired legilative issues. Recent examples of corruption in lobbying include the Jack Abramoff Indian Lobbying Scandal, allegations against Representative William Jefferson (D-La), and the recent accusations against the Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, about his "pay to play" tactics.
To combat and help increase the transparencies regarding lobbyist/politician relationships, various watchdog groups have been formed. Most of these groups can be found on the internet and provide information to educate the public on current issues involving the lobbyist involvment in the political system."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying#Viewpoints_on_lobbying
Username: Awojno
Entry:
"Although many sources defend the use of lobbying as a means of voicing the concerns of a certain group, there are also drawbacks to the practice as well. Perhaps the most obvious and common of these drawbacks is the possibility of a corruptive system. This corruption can come in many forms; one being unfair campaign donations, or even direct payment by way of the lobbyist to a politician in exchange for the the passage of desired legilative issues. Recent examples of corruption in lobbying include the Jack Abramoff Indian Lobbying Scandal, allegations against Representative William Jefferson (D-La), and the recent accusations against the Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, about his "pay to play" tactics.
To combat and help increase the transparencies regarding lobbyist/politician relationships, various watchdog groups have been formed. Most of these groups can be found on the internet and provide information to educate the public on current issues involving the lobbyist involvment in the political system."
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
This video is a great example of the involvement of lobbyists in the social lives of politicians. The video was shot in September before the Republican National Convention. Not only does it show the amount of money spent on the politicians, but it also gives an insite to the openess and almost arrogance of the situation. Some of the scenes are almost comical to witness how these politicians are treated by certain groups that the politicians claim not to be influenced by. I think the funniest part of the video is the name of the band performing at one of the main parties, "Hookers and Blow." I wonder if the band members are former politicians?
Ten facts about lobbying
1. A lobbyist is a defined as a person who promotes the position or interests of a certain group or cause to legislatures.
2. Lobbyists spent 2.83 billion dollars in their activities in the 2007.
3. The average lobbyist salary in the United States is $46,000; however, the average salary for a lobbyist employed by a large D.C. firm is around $300,000.
4. During the Bush administration, the number of federal lobbyists more than doubled.
5. In 1995, congress passed the Lobbying Disclosure Act in attempt to make the lobbying practice more transparent.
6. Most lobbyists have backgrounds in politics, either educational or work related.
7. Any lobbyist making over $6,000 in six months must register with the federal government.
8. Failure to register with the federal government has fines ranging up to $50,000.
9. Jack Abramoff, one of the most synonymous names to lobbyist corruption, is currently serving ten years on two different cases involving lobbying corruption.
10. The most a single person can donate to a political campaign is $2,300.
1. A lobbyist is a defined as a person who promotes the position or interests of a certain group or cause to legislatures.
2. Lobbyists spent 2.83 billion dollars in their activities in the 2007.
3. The average lobbyist salary in the United States is $46,000; however, the average salary for a lobbyist employed by a large D.C. firm is around $300,000.
4. During the Bush administration, the number of federal lobbyists more than doubled.
5. In 1995, congress passed the Lobbying Disclosure Act in attempt to make the lobbying practice more transparent.
6. Most lobbyists have backgrounds in politics, either educational or work related.
7. Any lobbyist making over $6,000 in six months must register with the federal government.
8. Failure to register with the federal government has fines ranging up to $50,000.
9. Jack Abramoff, one of the most synonymous names to lobbyist corruption, is currently serving ten years on two different cases involving lobbying corruption.
10. The most a single person can donate to a political campaign is $2,300.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Interlibrary loan assignment
The book that I received through interlibrary loan is entitled, Political Corruption in America: an encyclopedia of scandals, power, and greed. The book was written by Mark Grossman. I didn’t request the book because it had one specific fact or because it was solely based on lobbying alone but rather that included throughout the book were various examples throughout history when lobbying has led to corruption. Examples of negative lobbying included in the book range from the 1800’s to the 21st century. Also discussed in the book are various acts made by congress to combat the corruption that can result from crooked politicians.
I don’t think the book was as beneficial as I thought it would be when I had requested it through interlibrary loan last month. I think around that time I was still quite open minded on the idea of lobbyist involvement in government and saw the book as an argument for the opposition on the topic. The book, however, did make my opposition towards big business lobbying stronger in that it reinforced the idea that lobbying has just as long of a history in our government as our government has itself. The idea that this practice is so engrained into our system continues to be somewhat unnerving, however, I am still willing to hold out hope that indeed it does have a purpose and that that purpose is a good one.
The book that I received through interlibrary loan is entitled, Political Corruption in America: an encyclopedia of scandals, power, and greed. The book was written by Mark Grossman. I didn’t request the book because it had one specific fact or because it was solely based on lobbying alone but rather that included throughout the book were various examples throughout history when lobbying has led to corruption. Examples of negative lobbying included in the book range from the 1800’s to the 21st century. Also discussed in the book are various acts made by congress to combat the corruption that can result from crooked politicians.
I don’t think the book was as beneficial as I thought it would be when I had requested it through interlibrary loan last month. I think around that time I was still quite open minded on the idea of lobbyist involvement in government and saw the book as an argument for the opposition on the topic. The book, however, did make my opposition towards big business lobbying stronger in that it reinforced the idea that lobbying has just as long of a history in our government as our government has itself. The idea that this practice is so engrained into our system continues to be somewhat unnerving, however, I am still willing to hold out hope that indeed it does have a purpose and that that purpose is a good one.
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