That’s apologism for a despicable practice. Hate the player and hate the game because we’re all getting played in systems where lobbying is legal. This is how politicians end up serving corporations instead of people.

My point is that you can't blame companies for protecting their business. Their boards wouldn't be doing their jobs if they didn't.

The system where money translates into such disproportionate control over the law is broken. Two cultural aspects in America are also factors: 1. Corporations are in many aspects viewed as persons (e.g. they're afforded human rights such as freedom of speech), and 2. half of the voting population doesn't vote.

Writing a letter to your congressman is also lobbying. Are you going to make that illegal too?

Only if there is money in the envelope.

Oh, gotta outlaw all forms of political fund-raising too, then; apparently it's ok to give money to your neighbour unless that neighbour is running for office. Am I still allowed to spend my own money on an ad in the newspaper extolling the virtues of my preferred candidate?

> Only if there is money in the envelope

That's already illegal; it's called bribery.

Ok, so how does a group lobby for something they want? That IS what a representative republic is all about. You could lobby too you know.