Monday, December 3, 2007

Rush on Congressional Lobbying

As the New York Times is reporting, there is a huge lobbying rush to get bills and other agenda items taken care of before 2008. The article discusses some very scary proposals, such as amending the Family Medical Leave Act to reduce the number of days for maternity leave, sick leave, etc.

But nothing was scarier than this:

If Democrats gain seats in Congress or win the White House, that could pose problems for all-Republican lobbying firms like Barbour, Griffith & Rogers, whose founders include Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee.

From "Business Lobby Pushes Agenda Before '08 Vote" New York Times

12 comments:

  1. Yes, but it would open all sorts of doors for left leaning lobby firms like Mitchell & Sudbay or Cassidy and Associates.

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  2. These big business Republican groups have no shame.

    How can people call these people the pro-family party?

    Policies that make it harder to have and take care of children hurt families and in turn America's future.

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  3. Groups we haven't heard much of because of Republican rule and the K-Street project that attempted to make lobbying a one-party business.

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  4. John fail to realize that Cassidy and Associates has long been one of Washington's largest and most profitable lobby firms. If you don't know about them, I seriously suggest that you study your subject a bit more before posting blogs on it. Cassidy and Assc. made hundreds of millions of dollars during the Clinton years.

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  5. Perhaps you'll share you're background?

    + I didn't write this post. Jake Cooper did.

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  6. My background is in the banking and financial services sector. I hold a Business Degree from Southern Miss and post graduate studies at two very prestigious schools of higher learning. To mention either of them here would be bragadocious. I do consider myself a well read, political observer who has a few contacts of the political nature in Mississippi and Washington.

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  7. That's cool.

    I'm working on my Bachelor's and am self taught on politics from the internet, the Sun Herald and the Mississippi Press. (in that order).

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  8. Sounds good John, I would suggest that you get yourself a subscription to a publication such as the Weekly Standard or Investor's Business Daily. They will give you a businessman's view of the political spectrum.

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  9. I read a lot from online sources from all sides of the spectrum. I wouldn't recommend the Weekly Standard (though I have no knowledge of the investing magazine.) I do have a high regard for the Wall Street Journal though, and I hope News Corporation doesn't change too much.

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  10. First, my post was seething with sarcasm. Barbour, obviously, is an easy target for us.

    However, it will be interesting to see what happens with Barbour, Griffith, and Rogers (and all firms for that matter) when Democrats gain stronger majorities next year.

    For me, the issue is how lobbying in DC is out of control, and the Democrats realize that. It is a very scary situation when big business is able to buy their interests through elections and then through lobbying.

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  11. Jake we'll see if the Democrats change their tune on the lobby if they gain more power. Something tells me that when the benefits start flowing their way, somehow the mean ole Lobby won't be so bad after all.

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  12. Reasonably Prudent PersonDecember 4, 2007 at 11:35 PM

    and am self taught on politics from the internet, the Sun Herald and the Mississippi Press. (in that order).

    The trenches are a good place to learn. Read VO Key, Taggart and Nash's book, anything by Erle Johnston, Robert Caro's books on Lyndon Johnson, and then keep reading. Don't trust the news sources, but read them for factual tidbits, and don't take them as truth.

    I don't know what your major is but I believe poli sci to be a waste. Get a business degree. I wish someone would have told me that 12 years ago. Poli sci is synonymous for unemployment (or poor) without a graduate degree.

    I love unsolicited advice, don't you?

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