Can Lobbying be Disrupted?
To get America ready for the 2016 presidential election, Vulcan Productions decided to start an initiative called “We the Voters”, a series of 20 videos examining the world of Washington and giving people the resources to become informed voters.
One of the videos, produced by actor Josh Horowitz (left), tried to shine a light on the “corrupt D.C. lobbyists” and “disrupt” their profession.
Horowitz dives into the world of lobbying feeling the same way many people do, “both nauseous and excited”, but comes to a very unexpected conclusion about lobbyists.
Check out his video here:
One of Horowitz’s stereotypical, corporate, money-loving lobbyist turns out to have been a key voice in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act. He also interviewed Thomas Ponce, a young man who started a nonprofit group called Lobby for Animals. He learned that the definition of a lobbyist is anybody who seeks to influence a politician or public official on an issue is considered a lobbyist, a right that is guaranteed in our constitution.
We love this video not only because of Horowitz's witty "spoof" investigative style but because it highlights how lobbyists are simply messengers working to get a policy passed for their clients.
Lobbying is actually a vital part of our legislative process.
It shines a light on the fact that the way we fund campaigns is the problem, not lobbyists or lobbying. To Mr. Horowitz's dismay, his investigation also shatters the myth that all lobbyists are corrupt. The fact is, almost all of them follow the laws in place that govern lobbying.
This video correctly points out how consumer protection groups and non-profits are lobbying to protect the people’s interests, but that they are being greatly outspent by their corporate counterparts. Corporations outspend labor unions, nonprofits, and consumer rights protection groups $34 to $1.
The line that resonates with us the most is, “If you have the money, you are going to get your message delivered and you are going to make sure your message is delivered effectively”.
It is the reason we started Lobbyists 4 Good.
Our goal at Lobbyists 4 Good is to give everyday U.S. citizens access to the same influential lobbyists that corporations and special interest groups currently have. We know the power of crowdfunding and have seen it work in micro-financing, creating projects on Kickstarter, raising money for nonprofits, startups, and funding scientific research. We think it can also change the way people get their voice heard in government! So yes, we do think that lobbying can be disrupted.
Billy is the Co-founder & CEO of Lobbyists 4 Good.