Government lobbies itself

[CBL4]

What would you think if the government formed a lobby group to lobby the government to enact new laws? What would you think if the work for the lobby group was done by government employees on government time? What would you think if some of the government employees received government grants if they were successful in their lobbying attempts?

The Boone County Coalition on Tobacco Concerns would like you to think their movement is of the grass-roots variety. When the group convinces the Columbia Board of Health to present a new anti-smoking ordinance to the city council in coming weeks, it would like you to believe they’re no different than any other residents’ group trying to convince the government that its cause is just.
…
The Boone County Coalition on Tobacco Concerns is the government. It is funded by government. It was created by government. It exists because of government.
So when the council is asked to ban a legal product from private property in Columbia, understand this: The same council that is voting is already a partner with the side asking for a vote. It’s the kind of contradiction that on any other issue would raise enough red flags to have ethics complaints flying back and forth for months.
…
The coalition, following the lead of its birth mother - state government - in turn became basically a quasi-governmental body itself. It filed incorporation papers with the secretary of state’s office. It listed its address as 1005 W. Worley St. That’s the location of the Columbia/Boone County Health Department. Its main contact is a city employee, who listed his city phone number and city e-mail.
…
In Columbia, the line has been crossed so far it’s hard to even determine where it started. The very department that is supposed to enforce the smoking ordinance links to the Web site of the coalition that’s lobbying to change the law. This same department uses city resources to support the coalition. The mayor signed a declaration supporting the goals of the very coalition that will ask him for his vote. The state of Missouri encourages such local coalitions with grants that come from an organization that was formed because of a legal settlement with tobacco companies as a result of lawsuits by the states that now depend on the grants.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Apr/20050417Feat001.asp

 

[shanek]

What would you think if the government formed a lobby group to lobby the government to enact new laws?

Um...the FCC, the Fed, the DoJ, the FDA, state governments, etc., all lobby Congress...government lobbies itself all the time.

 

[Beerina]

Yes, but that doesn't make it a good thing.

In fact, George Will points out that 95% of all testimony before Congress is from governmental programs -- government lobbying itself.

 

[shanek]

Yes, but that doesn't make it a good thing.

I didn't say it was.

In fact, George Will points out that 95% of all testimony before Congress is from governmental programs -- government lobbying itself.

I can easily believe that. They're all trying to get a bigger piece of the pie...our pie.

 

[merphie]

And yet is probably something we could never stop.

 

[Brown]

Re: Re: Government lobbies itself

Um...the FCC, the Fed, the DoJ, the FDA, state governments, etc., all lobby Congress...government lobbies itself all the time.

This is correct. It is not widely known that goverment agencies do lobbying.

But it happens, and it makes sense. Much of the legislation has to be carried out by administrative agencies, and the agencies want to have a say about whether the legislation is workable or not. Usually the agencies are more familiar with the subject matter, and so they talk with legislators to give their perspective as to whether or how the proposed law should be implemented.

Unlike private lobbyists, governmental lobbyists tend to be more stick-to-business types, with little wining and dining and flying around in private jets and gift-giving and the like.

 

[merphie]

Re: Re: Re: Government lobbies itself

Unlike private lobbyists, governmental lobbyists tend to be more stick-to-business types, with little wining and dining and flying around in private jets and gift-giving and the like.

I can tell you've never been involved in politics.