When Washington reporters, political strategists, campaign managers, politicians, political writers, commentators, etc. are asked why lobbyists are given the time of day they always point to their constituional right to lobby Congress and don't ever seem to say anything negative aboout lobbyists, why not? Don't they see the difference between a profressional who is getting paid by a corporation to persuade the vote of a many members of Congress (who probably represent another district anyway) as a full-time job who lives in Washington for their own personal agenda, usually for financial gain (e.g. getting Congress to deregulate an industry to open up new markets) VERSUS a private citizen who is actually a constituent of a particular Congressman who simply sees a problem in their hometown and wants government to work for them? If you don't see that difference and have a growing anomisity for lobbyists and the Congressmen who perpetuate it, I certainly do.
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