I have a question about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ latest public disclosure of the unique ways things work in the halls of power in DC. Can anyone wait in line for the meetings in which it is so important for lobbyists to sit in attendance that they will happily pay up to $48/hr for 24 hours for a placeholder in line to ensure themselves a seat?
The lobbyists need to be inside those doors to ensure their investments in elections are paying off, and so they know their scripts are being followed. And the committee members want to be seen coming through for their donors and possible prospective employers after their years of “public service” are done.
Because if it is, if anyone can wait in those lines and attend those meetings, it opens up worlds of possibilities for citizen activism.
Could you imagine public auctions where lobbyists are forced to bid right there in the hallways on a place in line for hearings on military appropriations or mineral rights? How eye opening would it be to find out how much it is worth for an industry lobbyist to be in the room while decisions are being made by the representatives they helped win their respective elections?
Or, how nice would it be to block those lobbyists out of the meetings altogether, by filling all the available seats with “average citizens?”
Maybe meetings would be more productive for everyday Americans if there wasn’t a roomful of lobbyists stealing all the oxygen in the room.
Just a thought...