Is it isn't any wonder why nothing of any real importance can get done in our government? Our politicans have too many favors to pay back to the myriad of lobbyists. And we're along way off from our election day. See the following article from the New York Times.

Lobbyist Reports Show $181,000 for McCain


By ROBERT PEAR and RON NIXON, The New York Times
Published: July 27, 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/us...s/27lobby.html

Please take a few minutes to read the following article taken from the Iowa legislature website for "the rest of the story" about lobbyists.

http://www2.legis.state.ia.us/Pubinfo/WhatIsLobbyist/
In particular:

"Given the hundreds of bills and amendments introduced during each legislative session, it's impossible for legislators to gauge the potential effects of all of them. Information provided by lobbyists helps legislators make decisions about the large volume of proposals more quickly and efficiently."

and more importantly -

"...the First Amendment to the United States Constitution... [provides all of us] the right "to petition the Government for a redress of grievances," [and] is the legal basis for the lobbying that goes on in all levels of American government today.

Keep in mind that the American public still far outnumbers the lobbyists.
However, we do not match their ability to schmooze, patronize, provide perks, etc....but these are devices to do nothing more than establish ya-owe-me.

No matter...... the weight of an over whelming surge of direction from the American public with consistent follow up and nagging will far out weigh the lobbyists. One small problem that hasn't .....doesn't and most likely will not happen.....AND THEY COUNT ON IT.

I used to be the State Representative for General Electric's Constituency Relationship Program for the State of Arkansas when I lived and worked there. We had regular, regimented contacts daily, weekly, monthly on ANY and ALL issues affecting or might affect ANYTHING pertaining to GE.

I vivdly recall discussions about how representatives keep up with the contacts by the average American and the lobbyists......the response......the special interest groups and lobbyists far out number any communications from the public......

Until that changes......representatives will CONTINUE to run things as they and their lobbying constituency see fit.

BTK

BTK - You are right - the squeaky wheel gets the grease! But also as we can't blame those who are actively involved - we need to be our own most effective lobbyists.
As I have stated on other political posts (such as Energy Independence), I had written to 7 of our elected representatives from Florida and a Presidential candidate over 2 weeks ago about energy credits.
Only ONE representative from Florida (Paige Kreegel) took the time to have one of his staff members reply. Sen Obama's office also responded.
The ones I have yet to hear from are listed below - they got a second email through their websites from me again yesterday. Let's see what happens...

Governor Crist:
Office of Governor Charlie Crist
State of Florida
PL-05 The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Email: Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com <Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com>


Senator Martinez: He is a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Washington:
Senator Mel Martinez
United States Senate
356 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Main: (202) 224-3041
Email on web form:
http://martinez.senate.gov/public/in...on.ContactForm

Senator Nelson: Member, Budget and Commerce Committees
Senator Bill Nelson
Washington, D.C.
United States Senate
Email on web form:
http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
716 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-5274
Fax: 202-228-2183

Rep. Marco Rubio, Speaker
Florida House of Representatives
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300
(850) 488-1450
Email: marco.rubio@myfloridahouse.gov

Rep. Mayfield, Chair
ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL
Florida House of Representatives
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300
(850) 488-9238
Email: stan.mayfield@myfloridahouse.gov

Rep. Kreegel, Chair - replied to my email immediately
Committee on Energy
Florida House of Representatives
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300
(850) 488-9175
Email: paige.kreegel@myfloridahouse.gov

Rep. Williams, Chair
Florida House of Representatives
Committee on Environmental Protection
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300
(850) 488-2047
Email: trudi.williams@myfloridahouse.gov

To be continued...