[elliekelly]

Okay then go to K Street and hire yourself a lobbyist. Unless you know someone or have a lot of money under your control you won’t even be able to get a meeting. Your suggestion is as ridiculous as telling the average person to “just ask the Fed for money” when they can’t make rent. If you truly believe the system is equally “open to all” then you have bought the bullshit lobbyists have been selling the public hook, line, and sinker.

[gadders]

Reminds me of this story from The Onion:

American People Hire High-Powered Lobbyist To Push Interests In Congress

"WASHINGTON—Citing a desire to gain influence in Washington, the American people confirmed Friday that they have hired high-powered D.C. lobbyist Jack Weldon of the firm Patton Boggs to help advance their agenda in Congress.

Known among Beltway insiders for his ability to sway public policy on behalf of massive corporations such as Johnson & Johnson, Monsanto, and AT&T, Weldon, 53, is expected to use his vast network of political connections to give his new client a voice in the legislative process."

https://politics.theonion.com/american-people-hire-high-powe...

[refurb]

I mean, if you donate to the ACLU your money goes to lobbying. The comment isn’t wrong.

Nothing stops citizens from organizing a non-profit to lobby the government. I’ve worked with a few groups that lobby for better healthcare coverage. They go to Washington once to year. They are surprisingly effective in getting changes passed.

Actually being more “grassroots” makes the lobbying easier. It’s harder for a Congressperson to reject a meeting from their constituents.