April 2010

So easy a caveman can do it - Takes a lobbyist to chat with a politician

Posted by CotoBlogzz 03-26-2010 08:00 PM

The verdict is in – from Joe the Taxpayer, Jane the Advocate or Pamela the community organizer, to donate to a particular political campaign is so easy a caveman can do it. However, in order to reach that given politicians, takes a lobbyist.

You know elections are around the corner when your email box is full of fundraiser bombs and your preferred social media network’s inbox is full of fundraiser event invites.

The point is that the political candidates makes it extremely easy for anyone to donate to his or her campaign, but the constituent has to be a leader of a special interest group, a major donor, or an otherwise VIP to chat with that politician. To be fair, this is symptomatic of a representative government: If you want to donate money, it is so easy to do, a caveman can do it. However, if you want to contact your representative, it takes a lobbyist – just refer to the top five spenders (lobbyists) in Sacramento.

Or, party crashers notwithstanding, just ask Andy Sterns: His agenda is the President’s agenda. Not only that, but he also has a place in the White House, so he can crash anytime he is in DC. We have been trying to reach Senator Boxer for months, as your average tax payer and as a representative of the media. Zero success. We have tried to reach Carly Fiorina as well.

Consider that we have chronicled travails of what politicians refer to as “disgruntled” voters, such as Joe the Successful Entrepreneur below. The pejorative is used analogous to how some in the media refer to tea baggers –to dismiss as irrelevant.

Closer to home, we have tried to reach Orange County City Hall – of the 300 council members we have tried to reach via email, Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, fax and phone, only Deborah Pauly and Jesse Petrilla have responded to date. We have asked California lawmakers and governor candidates to opine on what we call California's Triple Threat: 1) Unions, 2) Lobbyists 3) Parasitic Bureaucracies - only Chuck DeVore and Craig de La Cruz have responded.

Pamela the community organizer recalls hosting a town hall meeting for an Orange County state representative and then working the phones trying to get him elected. Once elected Pamela tries to reach the politician and is unsuccessful. Then she runs into him in a fundraiser event later, and he simply ignores her. Isolated instance, you say? Keep reading.

Joe the Successful Entrepreneur described his frustration dealing Sacramento, including former assemblyman Spitzer – after we made contact with the Honorable Assemblyman Spitzer, he described his response to Joe as follows: “ After receiving one complaint from a disgruntled HOA member from Coto de Caza in March, I worked with Senator Dick Ackerman and vetted the concerns he raised through the Transportation and Housing Committee. I contacted the California Association for Homeowners Associations, the Department of Real Estate, and the Department of Corporations on his behalf. This person received several correspondences from my office relaying the various professional reviews I obtained on the matter. I even made a personal phone call to this constituent. I was clear that because his issues were raised after the deadline to introduce legislation and because I am termed out, I am limited in my further options but I am compiling a comprehensive list of all unfinished business for my successor to take up next session.”

Prompting Joe the Entrepreneur to say: “I would not say I was not disgruntled. Instead, I was disgusted and mad as hell related to California government and the bloated bureaucracy up in Sacramento that is owned by all the interests groups in the state and for sale to the highest bidder. In fact, our state politicians of both parties make prostitution look like an honorable profession by comparison. Clearly, in trying to deal with Sacramento , it is easy to see why the state has a $15 billion deficit. It might have a little to do with the 13,000 lawyers that are on the state payroll, along with all the legislative aides who accomplish nothing; but giving citizens the run around. It really is sad; but we have the government we deserve because most people could care less unless their particular cheese is moved. You will note Spitzer’s big concern is that he has been term limited out of office. He made a point of it in my discussions with him as an excuse for doing nothing.”

Jane the Advocate points to a certain Orange County Lawmaker saying “.. look at your own voting record… Here, in California, I can tell you from personal experience, your staff will NOT put phone calls through to your office. They have a ladder of obstacles and no one's available. We're schluffed off from one "aid" to another. Faxes and letters go unanswered, I am speaking from personal experience with your staff and your office over the years.

It didn't matter how judicially sound my arguments were to your so-called "aids" and "assistants" and others with fancier titles than that, your mind was already made up because in my opinion your vote was already bought. As a long time Republican, I have recently come to learn, that those with the Republican label are not always what they claim. The oldtime REAL Republicans and to his credit one Democrat (Mr. Waxman, whom I have never been fond of) took and take phone calls from people who VOTE FOR THEM.

Furthermore, I have spoken with constituents in your area (I am one as I own property there and in other places) who are so disgusted with you and to be fair some of your cohorts, that one cannot mention your name in conversation. You have been the subject of some fairly strong expletives. Not unwarranted I might add. So! WHO do you suggest we as constituents "call" or contact with OUR CONCERNS that are not being met. Strike that, let me rephrase. WHO do you suggest we-constituents BELIEVE when they are campaigning that "transparency" and "accountability" will occur under their reign? What you fail to tell the public is that those words have no teeth. They have no statutes or case law to support their activation. Any constituent is sent away to institute the California Public Records Act and/or the Freedom of Information Act -- a wholly ridiculous exercise in futility and hiding the ball politics.

Which brings me to the worst Commission that sucks California dry, the California Law Revision Commission. This is a bloated, irresponsible, and privileged group of appointees on salaries that rival any job in California government. They use their personal positions to target anyone who opposes them and or their dealings. They also interfere with individual rights to the extent they hide behind the color of working for the Government. This Commission is at odds with the California Constitution and the California Legislature. Yet for some reason they remain on the State's payroll and they have and continue to influence laws that all Californians are forced to live by and under. Lobbyists have free access to this Commission, they access at will. There is an unabashed, unmitigated air of superiority that emanates from that Commission and they unapologetic for it.

And what do people like me - in your district - get from someone like you who wants back on the States payroll? "I can't do anything about it"

Now, before we get messages about how easy it is to reach a politician, try this simple experiment: Try reaching your representative. You will first be asked for your affiliation and or issue. If you identify yourself as a taxpayer and can get through, let us know: http://capwiz.com/fof/dbq/officials/