lobbyist

Job Occupation - Lobbyist Mouse Pad
$7.99
This is a brand new custom made high quality mouse pad imprinted using the latest sublimation technology. This process embeds the image permanently and gives it a smooth surface with a crisp and vivid image. It is 8 1/2" x 7" in size and 1/8 thick. It has a non skid backing to prevent slipping. It will work with any type of mouse: ball, optical, laser.

Washington on $10 Million A Day: How Lobbyists Plunder the Nation
$22.95
Probably like a lot of readers I put this book down after reading the last page and sighed with a feeling of hopelessness, wondering if there was nothing the average citizen could do other than commit to running for office to make a difference. Silverstein takes the reader through page after page of lobbyist activity that is brutally intense, and after page 100 of the endless assault on conventional perception of law, it might make the reader a bit dizzy. I found it exhausting to read.

There are two drawbacks to this book; one (kind of) major and another minor thing. The major thing is that Silverstein's experiment as a fake lobbyist only lasts the first few pages. I was eager to read about how he infiltrated the network and found the dirtiest of the bunch, and I was hoping this book would be the ultimate reveal of their ugly practices. However, his brave adventure as a poseur director of a public action committee is brief. I suppose it would be difficult to hold up that act for long. The rest of the book is filled with in depth research on lobbyist activity, much of it lacking thorough citation that could back up some of the claims. The validity of the information would be more clear with direct citation, and I wonder about some of the guilt-by-association claims. The minor beef with the book is that Silverstein doesn't have a whole lot to offer on how to better keep K St. in line, even though the last chapter is titled like he will tell us how to do just that. This is a minor beef because nobody has a really good solution for that, so we can't expect Silverstein to save us by himself.

And just as a caveat, these examples are given to reinforce the argument that lobbying is bad. There are likely many lobbyists who are in the profession because they genuinely want to do something good. In many cases, the act of lobbying for a good cause is likely a good cause in itself. Sometimes the only way to fight the machine is to become a part of it. I'm sure many people can relate to that.

However, what Silverstein does exceptionally well in this book is explain - in great detail and through many examples - how lobbying works, who a lobbyist is, and how they came to be in the profession. The book was written in the 1990s so some of the examples are out of date, however it is really interesting to see how some of the hot topics of the last decade are again relevant in these days. The lobbyist machine is alive and well. So, if you've read the book or you are going to read it, ask yourself this (as I have): what can we do about this? How does this affect my government? What can I do as a citizen? I can't answer these questions for you: it's up to you.

BMV Quantum Subliminal CD Lobbyist Success (Ultrasonic Career Development Series)
$14.99
Program your subconscious mind to be a successful lobbyist. Develop your professional skills to increase your productivity, enhance self-promotion, improve performance and increase your success. Program yourself to rise to the top of your industry! Create life-changing results using advanced subliminal and brainwave entrainment technologies. Tune your brainwaves to specific frequencies simply by listening to this CD. Silent affirmations, inaudible hypnotic suggestions and thousands of powerful subliminal messages program your subconscious mind for positive results. The first 3 tracks have an ocean background. The Silent Ultrasonic Track 4 is completely silent with no sound at all! BMV exclusive Quantum Subliminal Matrix Technology sets a new standard for the subliminal industry. BMV has merged existing subliminal neurotechnology with many new exclusive techniques to create the most powerful CDs on the market. This CD contains the following audio neurotechnologies to maximize your results: Ultra-Silent Ultrasonic Subliminal Frequency Modulation Technology- All subliminal messages are modulated to ultrasonic ranges (higher frequencies) for full meta-programming with no audible sounds at all on Track 4! You can use these powerful silent subliminals in any setting! Multi-channel Subliminal Replication Technology-100 times more subliminal messages makes it 100 times more powerful than other subliminal tapes or CDs. Autonomic Audio Pacing Technology-Relaxed heartbeat and breathing patterns cause physiological responses that trigger deep progressive relaxation to maximize results. Brainwave Entrainment Technology- Embedded binaural beat frequencies and monaural tones create hemispheric synchronization while tuning your brainwaves to specific frequencies that are most effective for subliminal programming. Monaural entrainment tones- No need for headphones! Created by a Certified Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)

Lobbying and Advocacy: Winning Strategies, Resources, Recommendations, Ethics and Ongoing Compliance for Lobbyists and Washington Advocates: The Best of Everything Lobbying and Washington Advocacy
$47.00
Lobbying and Advocacy is a solid, in-depth manual highly recommended for anyone seeking to lobby governmental officials or advocate public policy. Packed cover to cover with tips, checklists, and examples, Lobbying and Advocacy is intended to be a thorough reference and resource for lobbyists of all skill and experience levels. Major topics covered include "Legal and Ethical Considerations", "Develop, Never Devalue, Grassroots", "Multiply Your Influence: Coalitions and Partners" and much more. A wealth of appendices and an index round out this absolute "must-have" for any professional in the field. "Members of Congress and staff may never solicit a gift, or accept a gift that is linked to any action they have taken or are being asked to take. Members of Congress, their staff, and congressional officers are generally not permitted to accept gifts or meals from lobbyists, foreign agents, or their employing organizations, with certain exceptions... Do not offer any gifts or meals, plan congressional events, negotiate employment or arrange trips with policymakers unless you are absolutely certain that no rules are being violated."