I would be willing to wager a hefty amount of cash that every man, woman or child in America has at least one lobbyist working Congress, a state legislature or a city council on their behalf. Go ahead, name any profession or occupation and I bet I can name an interest group or organization that represents them before some level of government. Doctors have the American Medical Association. Lawyers have the American Bar Association. Bankers have the American Bankers Association. Everyone has someone out there representing their views.
"Well, of course, Bob," you say, in a condescending tone, "bankers, lawyers and doctors have lobbyists working on their behalf. They’re all rich and can afford them. What about people who might not be so well off?"
Teachers don’t make much money and surely have been left out in the cold. Nope, they have the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association talking up teacher pay and small class size. How about the homeless? I'd refer you to the National Coalition for the Homeless. Children? They have the Children’s Defense Fund. What about a poor elderly person living in West Virginia whose only source of income is Social Security? Even if they didn’t fork over the $16 for an annual membership, AARP (with whom I worked while at UnitedHealth) will be representing her interests on Capitol Hill and before the West Virginia Legislature.
The truth is that we’re all part of one special interest or another. So the next time you hear someone on TV trash those evil special interests, take some umbrage. You’ve just been insulted.
|
|