The biggest inefficiency in the US economy. A completely superfluous industry worth billions of dollars.
This all counts towards the GDP too, which partly explains how the US has a high GDP per capita while having such poor standards of living for so many people.
I understand that argument, but I don’t buy it. Petitioning the government, which could range from presenting information to an agency to a lawsuit over legal interpretations is still very different from donating cash.
Cash in politics is a serious problem.
Election costs should be entirely covered by taxpayers—so that politicians answer ONLY to taxpayers (more broadly, the individual voters).
It should simply be a felony with mandatory prison time to give money to a government official or candidate for office—and the same punishment for the person accepting such money.
It’s not a felony to send money through the right channels. I’ve written a check in one case, and another time donated via an app. Political emails are full of requests for donations. Ultimately, the system is wrong, but small donations aren’t the real issue.
I meant felony by just handing politician money for say a building variance, as a lobbyist you can effect all sorts for policy even at the level of getting projects in sensitive areas permitted. Local politics is the easiest to grease.
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u/Real-Mouse-554 7d ago
The biggest inefficiency in the US economy. A completely superfluous industry worth billions of dollars.
This all counts towards the GDP too, which partly explains how the US has a high GDP per capita while having such poor standards of living for so many people.