Comments on: Builders end political contributions http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/builders-end-political-contributions-171/ Sports News - Tech Reviews - Entertainment - Life Tips for EveryJoe Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:57:55 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Dan http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/builders-end-political-contributions-171/comment-page-1/#comment-337980 Dan Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:27:46 +0000 http://www.propertycrossroads.com/builders-end-political-contributions/#comment-337980 Hi, Cindy: Thanks much for your well-written, and well-thought-out, comment. I agree with everything you said, and I appreciate the inside look at the lobbying industry. With all the paid lobbyists running around, is it any wonder that so many people are disillusioned with government? Is it any wonder that news pundits are always bemoaning the low voter turnout? Hi, Cindy:

Thanks much for your well-written, and well-thought-out, comment. I agree with everything you said, and I appreciate the inside look at the lobbying industry. With all the paid lobbyists running around, is it any wonder that so many people are disillusioned with government? Is it any wonder that news pundits are always bemoaning the low voter turnout?

]]> By: Cindy http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/builders-end-political-contributions-171/comment-page-1/#comment-337979 Cindy Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:41:44 +0000 http://www.propertycrossroads.com/builders-end-political-contributions/#comment-337979 I'd also like a world without industry lobbyists. I've been a volunteer for a consumer org for a few years now and have been to the state capitol a number of times, to speak up from the consumer point of view on issues like lack of enforcement of building codes, shoddy construction, breach of warranty, etc. There is always at least one person there representing the building industry it seems, and I have never seen them bring anything that actually substantiates their claims. It's more like regurgitated NAHB spin. At least I brought photos, documents, and talked about real cases/incidents. One time the builders passed out brochures on heart disease and said, "There's bigger things to worry about." Nothing like a patently obvious attempt to draw attention away from the issue that the meeting was about...a meeting tax payers paid for. IMO there should be no paid lobbyists allowed. If people don't care enough about their issue to lobby for free, then it must not be much of an issue, but just a corporate wish having to do with increasing profits. Sadly, such wishes are usually packaged as being good for consumers, if they're publicized at all. I’d also like a world without industry lobbyists. I’ve been a volunteer for a consumer org for a few years now and have been to the state capitol a number of times, to speak up from the consumer point of view on issues like lack of enforcement of building codes, shoddy construction, breach of warranty, etc. There is always at least one person there representing the building industry it seems, and I have never seen them bring anything that actually substantiates their claims. It’s more like regurgitated NAHB spin. At least I brought photos, documents, and talked about real cases/incidents. One time the builders passed out brochures on heart disease and said, “There’s bigger things to worry about.” Nothing like a patently obvious attempt to draw attention away from the issue that the meeting was about…a meeting tax payers paid for.

IMO there should be no paid lobbyists allowed. If people don’t care enough about their issue to lobby for free, then it must not be much of an issue, but just a corporate wish having to do with increasing profits. Sadly, such wishes are usually packaged as being good for consumers, if they’re publicized at all.

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