In the United States, the law on lobbying differs from state to state. The demand to end gifting to the legislative officials differs in the very same manner. The act is considered unacceptable and corrupt; it is likely to influence the decision made by the officials on particular legislative issues (Lipton, 2014). While in Missouri lawmakers can receive unlimited gifts, they are limited to a maximum of $100 in South Dakota. Most loopholes associated with the inability of the government to do away with lobbying are the laws. In Virginia, a provision that gave the officials permission to receive unlimited gifts was removed. All officials receiving gifts need to ensure that they do not exceed $100. Though not in all, most law that provided for acceptance of gifts for the legislative were removed. Hong et al. (2018) argue that the practice is likely to promote corruption and even a subjective decision.
References
Hong N., Rockoff J. D., & Fitzgerald D. (2018). Michael Cohen said to be under investigation for possible illegal lobbying. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.marketwatch.com/story/michael-cohen-said-to-be-under-investigation-for-possible-illegal-lobbying-2018-06-14
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Lipton, E. (2014). Lobbyists, Bearing Gifts, Pursue Attorneys General. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/29/us/lobbyists-bearing-gifts-pursue-attorneys-general.html
Responses
Post #1
I agree that lobbying in the United States has changed the meaning of democracy in lawmaking. Individuals including those have not been registered as lobbyists use their gifts to influence the officials. It has been taken as an official way to ask for favors from the politicians and government as a whole. In order to fight the corruption brought about by lobbying, all the law that promote the act needs to be abolished. Lobbyists use these laws as a loophole to continue with their operations.
Part #2
I agree that lobbyists are individuals that act on behalf of others; with a role of convincing the decision makers to enact a particular law. However, it is clear that not all lobbyists have the interests of the majority at heart. It is because of such persons that have ill intentions that it became a troubling act in politics. If influence depends on the amount of gift presented, it is easy to persuade someone to make the wrong decision all in the name of lobbying.
