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Ron Swanson's Top Ten List

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:47:59 +0000

Have you watched the NBC TV Show: Parks and Recreation? It is an absolutely hilarious satire of state and local government, lobbying and politics. The Head of ...

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Health Care is Out as a Business Opportunity

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 16:09:35 +0000

As the 112th Congress begins, I am wondering where new business is hiding. Last year, the Health Care debate drew in an incredible number of diverse interests who, for the most part, propped up the lobbying industry during the recession. Where is business coming from now? According to CQ Moneyline Analysis, lobbying revenues are down.

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Fun and Games

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 16:23:44 +0000

Do you want ...

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Responsive Government

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:43:28 +0000

Rex Nutting argued in an article for Marketwatch.com that we should abolish the United States Senate because it is aristocratic and blocks the democratic process. After reading the article, I think he believes that the Senate is responsible for gridlock in government.

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The 2010 Election

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 14:57:04 +0000

We the People spoke. What do you make of this election? Was it really a Republican blowout? What the heck is a "shellacking"? My take is this: the American People are angry. Unless the economy improves, they will still be angry.

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Alternative Energy has Alternative Lobbying

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 14:32:48 +0000

What do Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and T.Boone Pickens have in common?

Reid is the Mormon, progressive (yes, I am avoiding the "L" word) leader of the Democrats in the U.S. Senate and Pickens is a Billionaire Texas oilman and former Republican donor. According to Roll Call, Pickens and Reid have formed a formidable alliance to further the Pickens' Plan to move the country off of oil and towards natural gas and electric powered vehicles.

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Lobbyists, Candidates and Public Opinion

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 14:31:57 +0000

Both major political parties continue to attack each other over ties to lobbyists and the "influence industry."

A recent Washington Post piece summarizes these recent attacks. Lobbying and lobbyists remain bad words in American mainstream political discourse. How long can the lobbying industry survive as it is if we are continually tied to scandals and allegations of corruption?

How bad is it? Remember Jack Abramoff and Kevin Ring? The government's case against Ring is quite weak. The Jury Questionnaire in the Ring re-trial posed the following questions:

"Which of the following, if any, fits with your view of lobbying? Answer either yes or no.

Lobbying is the exercise of the democratic right of American industries, businesses, and individuals to influence lawmaking, government policy and decision making that affects their interests.

Lobbying is influence peddling on behalf of wealthy people or businesses.

Lobbying, whether on behalf of rich people, the middle class, or poor people, should be prohibited.

Lobbying can help ensure that government officials make decisions that are in the best interests of the United States.

Lobbying is a fancy term for trying to get government officials to do what the lobbyist wants even if it is not good for the country.

Lobbying is paying off politicians and government officials to get them to do something.

Lobbying is legitimate business.

Lobbying is a necessary part of democratic society based on the First Amendment of the United States Constitution."

How do you think average Americans would answer these questions? How would you?