The first amendment;
Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; of abridging the freedom
of speech, or press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The last ten words give people the right to be a lobbyist. The problem is, it is being abused.
Mike Yilit's Experience: There was a problem with a government funded job that a federal employee oversaw, and
paid out over 250,000 dollars for the project. During the course of the project, Mike was unable to talk to the government
representative. Due to Mike being a small contractor (having a total of 3 employees), he could not afford to hire a lobbyist
to meet with the representative in congress. Even though he tried to communicate with staff members, they were not able to
give out information. in the end, his company had lost 155,000 dollars, while working on a job that was completed under federal
supervision.
Legislation needs passed so that if you have ever been employed
by the government, or elected to office, you cannot work as a lobbyist of vice-versa. It would be like someone suing you,
and the judge only hears their side of the story.
