In defense of lobbying

From “bureaucracy” to “taxes” to “regulation,” there are some things politicians simply can’t speak of in favorable terms because no one sees them favorably.

One of these is lobbying, a profession so mistrusted in America that the sheer mention of it in some circles can bring cringe-worthy reactions.

The profession itself has generally been labeled as unfair influence by special interests on our government.

After all, the fundamental tenant of lobbying is to influence government in a particular way, often by a well-connected individual sometimes too familiar with the political system.

What most people don’t realize is that lobbying isn’t just done by ethically bankrupt suits in Washington.

Lobbying happens everywhere at every level of government by just about everyone.

And it serves an important purpose.

Clubs requesting funding from the student government to bring a speaker to campus is lobbying.

IU joining a group against the banning of marriage equality in Indiana is lobbying.

Signing a petition on the street is lobbying.

And so on.

Because at its core, lobbying is a form of advocacy.

Not all lobbying is the sort of smoky, back room deal-making we often picture when we think of groups that influence our government.

Yes, big business absolutely has its interests well represented in Washington.

In 2013 alone, $2.3 billion was spent on lobbying — a decrease from the $3.3 billion the year before.

But groups that actively work to better society also vie for the attention of the government through lobbying efforts.

Nonprofits like the American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People all represent the interests of millions of people who would otherwise be singular voices.

Still, in the age of Citizens United, it’s important that lobbying does not overstep its purpose of representing the interests of groups at the expense of the national welfare.

Unfortunately, this very idea faced a set back last week.

A federal judge revisited a lawsuit regarding the ban on lobbyists serving on governmental advisory boards put forth by the Obama administration in 2009.

Restrictions should be put in place so that lobbying is only that — lobbying.

Organized and legal corruption shouldn’t have a place in government.

The Obama administration is right in continuing to place restrictions on those aspects of the practice.

Even then, people should realize that lobbying is much more than questionable men and women waltzing with our elected officials to get what they want.

Because it’s more than that.

It’s representation. It’s advocacy. It’s free speech.             

­— edsalas@indiana.edu
Follow columnist Eduardo Salas on Twitter @esalpe.