A quiet revolution in business lobbying

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON - After brief pleasantries on the phone the other day, Thomas J. Donohue got down to business with a top health insurance executive. "We're in a new year and a new time," Donohue said smoothly. "Can we put you on the list and get your money?"

The executive said yes, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was $100,000 richer. So, in effect, was President Bush's push to rein in trial lawyers and lower taxes.

The chamber is at the forefront of a quiet revolution in business lobbying. Corporate groups now raise big money to advance broad issues, largely to help the Republican president enact his fiscal agenda. That's a long step away from what trade associations traditionally did: concentrate on narrow concerns while shunning partisan spats.
...
Critics see a broader problem. They say the superior funding by corporate sources is inevitably unfair. "An average citizen speaks only at a whisper in Washington," said Celia Viggo Wexler, a vice president of citizens' advocacy group Common Cause. "But the chamber and other big business associations, thanks to their clout and fundraising, speak with a megaphone."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6916282/

[chrisbur]

1. I would hate to see this story languish...

as far as I am concerned this and media reform and election reform are all we need to take care of. After that everything else will just fall in place. OK get to work.

[Rose Siding]

4. That's the trinity, alright.

Thanks for the kick.

That the Post ran this story is almost encouraging- it's an excellent lead in to all the DNC reform chatter.

[BlueEyedSon]

2. "Money doesn't talk, it swears." -- Bob Dylan

[annabanana]

3. When we repair the media disconnect, we can rev up OUR thinktanks..

But until we do that we are on a very uneven field...and they know it.

[Freedomist]

5. "the average citizen speaks only at a wisper in Washington"

but their vote can be deafening.

[Athame]

6. only if we can trust in the elections n/t

Welcome to DU, Freedomist.

[mediaman007]

7. Real democracy in America was a 70 year experiment...