Lobbyists and Money in Politics: No More Than Legalized Bribery

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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead

Let’s say for conversation’s sake, that the political system in this country is actually salvageable, that it could be resuscitated and revitalized, with the right president, the right legislature, the right motivation and pressure applied by the activist elite; those with a passion for change and a desire to see this nation revived.

If that was the case, if that was indeed possible, what would it take to align this country once again with its original ideals of liberty, honor and true freedom; freedom of choice; freedom to do what you will with your own body and to make that choice for your children, in both the medical field and at home? What would be the first step back in the direction of the Republic?

The one resounding answer that has never been more apparent than in today’s American political circus, is that of money in politics. What began as a public service has now become one of the most profitable positions of power in the world: an American politician. In addition to their direct salaries, which were added in 1815 and initiated the politics-for-hire climate, politicians get direct cash infusions by special interest groups that represent the very definition of a conflict of interest. These lobbyists, as they’re called, are representatives of big business with little concern for anything other than their company’s bottom line. These highly paid special interest operatives have specific directives to influence policy that directly benefit their employers. These lobbyists are almost always ex-government employees given the positions as gratitude for past cooperation on legislation.

With a web of massively intertangled strings attached, they personally give the politicians what are deceptively called “campaign contributions” in order to conceal their true nature: a bribe.

On the surface level, the level seen by the average citizen, these “donations” are just that, donations. Yet with even the slightest research, it becomes apparent that the inner circle of politicians and the influential one percent, collude to exchange jobs, perks and favors for future personal benefit, while the quality of life and well-being of the average American is far down on the list of objectives, if listed at all.

When given the opportunity to cast aside one’s morals and ideals for a little personal prosperity, many would not think twice, and that is just human nature. The moment a profit motive was introduced, the moment we allowed special interests the right to directly fund campaigns, was the moment in which the last grasping tendril of democracy was scraped from the edge of the rising plutocracy.