The Influence of Lobbyists

The number of free radicals listed in the encyclopaedia of Associations more than quadrupled between 1956 and 1990, from 4,900 to more than 22,000, and these bases still represent sole(prenominal) a fraction of the total. The number of environmental groups alone, including local putting to death coalitions and the like, is now estimated at 7,000, while the number of gay groups listed in the Washington Blade's resource guide grew from 307 in December 1990 to 405 in 1994. numerous of these groups lobby, and there is evidence that suggests that groups have become more likely to engage in lobbying. For one thing, the proportion of trading associations based in Washington has been steadily rising, which suggests deepening semipolitical involvement. All counts of lobbyists show that their number is increasing. The number of active lobbyists registered with the U.S. Senate jumped from 3,000 in 1976 to around 8,000 in 1993, and between 1961 and 1982, the number of corporations with Washington offices increase tenfold. The number of lawyers in Washington quadrupled between 1972 and 1987, from 11,000 to 45,000, and real suit spending has tripled since the early 1960s:

One could go on and on this way. The data leave no doubt that the last(prenominal) several decades have witnessed explosive growth in the lobbying celestial spherea trend quite unruffled by the comings and goings of Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, Reagan

In a speech by lobbyist Richard Klemp, the speaker stated the reasons why lobbying is and should be a regard profession:

One of the reasons for the increase in spending on campaigns is that more money is needed to pay for television publicise and other forms of media to gain the attention of the voter. Yet, the public seems to be devolve of the way politicians spend money--and e extraly of the way they get that money, curiously when lobbyists argon involved.

A recent poll shows that 74 per centum of all voters believe Congress is "owned by special interests." Those surveyed are among the people who still vote, and in 1992, some 82 million Americansabout 44 percent of eligible votersdid non vote at all. Experts believe that this apathy is due in large part to disgust with Congress and the feeling that lawmakers are controlled by the rich and powerful, as represented by lobbyists. Many in congress are alarmed at this bunk as well. In 1992, a record 59 members inflexible not to run for reelection, many complaining that they spent withal much time raising money and not becoming getting anything done.

 Lobbying is protected by the U.S. Constitution, especially by the initial Amendment's guarantees against interference with freedom of speech and the right to petition.

An "interest group" may be defined as any group of people or businesses who work together to advance their coarse interests. This can mean a neighborhood association or a giant industry. A "lobbyist" is any person who seeks to bewitch a public off
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