[BoiledCabbage]

> The thing is, it isn't "people" arguing that -- to an extent that would suffice influence policy, in any case.

You also seem to be discounting the fact that plenty of people (for example influential people in SV) have spent a lot of time arguing that regulation is in general bad. That spreads here on HN quite frequently. This is the outcome of that rhetoric.

There is also a political part that champions it, they've and a large part of the voting public believes this. It's not just a few small lobbyists that twisted politicians arms on behalf of their clients. There are politicians looking for places where there are regulations so they can cut them as that's a key part of their platform. People suggest areas and they agree.

You keep making it sound like the concept of cutting regulations is political heresy across the board and lobbyists are having to sneak to get these done. It's widely promoted in a certain sphere and this is what it results in.