CA Acadamy of Sciences -- NO GO

[KSagal]

Originally Posted by Bob.Kerns

I'm not so sure about lumping lobbyists in with asphalt -- with or without feathers!

I don't hate lobbyists -- I'd like a few of my own. Give me enough lobbyists, and I could set things aright!

My appologies. It was Glen that spoke of the President being anti-lobby, not you.

My remarks should have been directed toward him.

I do agree, many lobbyists aught to wear the traditional Tar and Feathers, but not nearly so much as those we send to Washington. We elect and pay those representatives to do the will of and watch out for the people. Instead, they feather their own nests. The lobbyists are being paid by an interest group to influence the weak minded and greedy politician, and offer a bit of education to the rest, and that is what they do.

So, in my opinion, Lobbyists do what they are paid to do. Our legislators don't. (I know it is too broad a brush to paint all legislators with, but I honestly feel that used car salesmen have a higher trust factor than this congress.)

[Bob.Kerns]

What's the alternative to a special interest group? A special apathy group?

"Special interest groups" is a code phrase. What lies behind the phrase varies by who is using it. But whenever you see anyone use that phrase, you should demand they stop speaking in code.

We should be seeking greater participation in democracy. The phrase usually refers to a feeling of being left out, that some other group has better access, or is better organized. But the code doesn't point to what should be done. Better organize your own side? Make more efforts? Fund-raise?

Usually all that's intended is to pass the blame for failure and bemoan that the other side should be silenced somehow.

So let Disney corporation lobby. How many votes do they have? Zero. It's up to us to be vigilant and communicate, individually and collectively.

"I use a Segway, and I vote!"

[JohnM]

Of course, Segway LLC/Inc's efforts to influence legislation at the National/State/Local levels are exempt from this lobby bashing thread.

[KSagal]

Originally Posted by JohnM

Of course, Segway LLC/Inc's efforts to influence legislation at the National/State/Local levels are exempt from this lobby bashing thread.

Not exempt from me.

As a matter of fact, I believe that segway was successful in passing more laws in more states in less years than the bicycle lobby was, at least that I am aware of...

I have stated that I believe that lobbyists do what they get paid to do. I have not intentionally bashed them. If someone feels I did, I am sorry to have left that impression.

[JohnM]

Originally Posted by KSagal

Not exempt from me.

As a matter of fact, I believe that segway was successful in passing more laws in more states in less years than the bicycle lobby was, at least that I am aware of...

I have stated that I believe that lobbyists do what they get paid to do. I have not intentionally bashed them. If someone feels I did, I am sorry to have left that impression.

Sorry if I misunderstood when you said, "I do agree, many lobbyists aught to wear the traditional Tar and Feathers."

I was just pointing out that Matt D should be exempt from your 'many'. If you feel that he should not be exempt, that is your perogative.

[KSagal]

Originally Posted by JohnM

Sorry if I misunderstood when you said, "I do agree, many lobbyists aught to wear the traditional Tar and Feathers."

I was just pointing out that Matt D should be exempt from your 'many'. If you feel that he should not be exempt, that is your perogative.

I do not know where you are trying to force this... I made a simple comment in response to another poster... If you feel the need to parse every sylable, good for you...

Some lobbyists are bums and bad people, and deserve public derision. Some are not, as is the case with just about every other profession.

I feel you are smart enough to have read the rest of my post, and realize that I hold legislators if far lower esteem than lobbyists, and stated so clearly...

I understand how a bicycle enthusiast such as yourself may feel slighted by Matt's success and how it has dwarfed any efforts by bikers, on a person to person and state to state basis, in just a few years, but that is not the way it needs to be taken.

I hold the average lobbyist in higher regard than many spandex road kings, but not all of them are bad guys either. Just some.

The world is full of all kinds of people. Some good, some bad. Some even go from good to bad, and sometimes from bad to good. Most are in the middle someplace.

I feel it is more important to smile, and keep looking for the good ones. Keep an eye on the bad ones, but look for the good when you can.

[JohnM]

Originally Posted by KSagal

I feel you are smart enough to have read the rest of my post, and realize that I hold legislators if far lower esteem than lobbyists, and stated so clearly...

Do you exempt those legislators that were influenced by Matt D?

[KSagal]

Originally Posted by KSagal

... The lobbyists are being paid by an interest group to influence the weak minded and greedy politician, and offer a bit of education to the rest, and that is what they do.
...

Originally Posted by JohnM

Do you exempt those legislators that were influenced by Matt D?

I prefer to feel the legislators who were influenced by Matt D fall into the second group. I may be wrong, but that is where I prefer to place them...

But, of course, we all know I already said that. Absolute statements are wrong, at least some of the time.