I used to but the whole lobbying process has gotten out of hand and helped to create the partisan no compromise environment in Washington. At one time, getting elected to office was the terminal destination in politics. Now, so many legislators view being in congress as a steppingstone to their real career objective of working for whichever lobby that they best served through their legislative efforts. It has become so blatant that various corporate lobbies literally write the wording of legislation that involves their specific field of interests and then legislators that they court sign off on it. Any less wealthy public interest lobbyists who may oppose a piece of legislation that has been pandered to is simply out of luck. Political lobbying needs to be reformed. The simplest solution is to pass laws stating that lawmakers can't work for an industry or a company within an industry that they were involved with in a lobbying relationship for say 5 years after leaving office. Making harsh penalties for both the legislator and lobbyists who are caught with the lobbyists "Ghost Writing" legislation will also help pry our lawmakers out of the grasp of rich corporate interests.

I think Senators and Representatives should be required to live in the States and Districts they represent. They should shop in the same stores, buy their own gasoline, etc. They should be lobbied by the People. They should convene in D.C. 4 times a year, take care of business and go back home. They should receive no pay other than the cost of living expenses and travel expenses while conducting the business of the people. They should be limited to no more than 5 terms in the House and 2 terms in the Senate.

I think we need to watch politicians like hawks these days. Politicians will remain corrupt until we incentivize the type of person who isnt corrupt into office. No idea how to do this. Ethical Politics does not seem to pay big bucks

Lobbying facilitates runaway plutocracy, as is currently happening in the U.S.

No, lobbying is just a way to legalize bribery. Elections should be public financed and all the candidates have equal financing so that the ideas and policy wins instead of who has the most money to spend. The way it is now u buy the seat of power instead of earning the seat from the trust of the people. Manufacturing consent is used for more than just wars.

It's only a way to legally but government officials

I only support moral lobbying groups like the NRA

Lobbying is not the problem, transparency is. If people, corporations, and lobby groups had to report what they gave to who then it would be possible to jugde their motivation.