[mynameisash]

Far be it from me to defend our system of lobbying the government, but there's a big difference between bribery and federal lobbying. Your phrasing poisons the well.

[InitialLastName]

"Paying money to legislators and regulators with the intent of swaying their decisions to suit your interests".

Lobbying is legal because we live in a society that places such a high value on money that we've accepted bribery as a means to increase its power.

[hospitalJail]

No.

Finding a difference between bribery and federal lobbying with money, is the same outcome.

Money goes from person who wants, to person with power who receives. Everything else is theatre.

[sarchertech]

In the case of lobbying you can go look on a website and see who took money from whom when you’re choosing who to vote for.

The money that comes from lobbying is also limited and pays for reelection, the candidate doesn’t get to use it for personal expenses.

There are clearly problems with the system, but yelling no! it’s exactly the same as taking bribes isn’t helpful.