Lobbying is the process of trying to influence the decisions made by the government to favor certain stakeholders or individuals. The largest number of a lobbyist is constituted by corporation officials, private sectors, and other interest or advocacy groups. The documentary "The best government money can buy" by Francis Megany, clearly shows a comprehensive assessment of how the system of lobbying operates in Washington, DC. Washington is flooded by over 14,000 registered influential lobbyists working for different special interest groups among other unregistered lobbyists (Wolf 14). The business of lobbying is to support legislation that will benefit interested groups even if it means imposing people to power that may influence their operation positively.
Through lobbying corporations and relationships are created. Lobby groups act as sponsor to corporation and individual who are of interest to them. Megany shows Corporation between politicians and lobby groups, for instance, Citigroup Vice President, Nick Calio. The pact gives power to the groups to even write legislation that senators and other elected officials have no choice over other than to pass as seen in the post by Washington lobbying columnist Jeff Birnbaum (Wolf 24).
The lobbyists spend a lot of funds to influence decision such as an election. Francis Megany, in his documentary, shows how politician spends an average of 25% of their time fundraising for their campaign where the lobbyists are the biggest contributor. Politics is quite expensive to get into due to the cost involved. For an individual to be elected to office, one need a good campaign strategy from print ads to billboards to radio and TV spots in an aim to make their name known. Lobby groups are constituted by a large corporation in the country that that dig deep into their pockets such as Citigroup among others. The film illustrates how lump sums of donation were done to Republican and Democratic parties and more especially to specific candidates (Wolf 40).
The lobbyist buys loyalty from the government through funding their way into office and therefore they easily get access to government projects or influence decision on tenders advertised (Wolpe 17). In an interview with different politicians, for instance, Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton they express their deep concern about the influence of lobbying in the country. Lobby groups also act as a watchdog for corporation's environment that may affect them such as taxation on imports or other duties.
The film by Megany, expresses lobbying as unfair, with issues of concern. However, it has its importance and complications and therefore citizens should understand and appreciate it in order to make a well-versed opinion. The growth in the number of lobbyist in the country and the fact that they are not voted officials yet they put forth pressure over elected administrators and in fact manipulate politicians more than the citizens who voted them into office (Wolpe 32). However, there may be a conflict of interest on an individual who has received funding from one corporation and sat on the board for another corporation since loyalty is key in the lobbying business.
Works Cited
Wolf, Scott, and Francis Megahy. The Best Government Money Can Buy? United States N.p., n.d. Print.
Wolpe, Bruce C. Lobbying Congress: How the System Works. Washington: Congressional Quarterly, 2009. Print.
