Irrespective of the proposition in question, Mr Eich debited $1000 to the influence of politics. His financial position gives him more political leverage than myself.

Bang on, you read my mind.

Helloooo... This is in USA. Does the word "lobbying" ring a bell?

Lobbying is fine. After all, a representative government can't function if talking to your representatives is a crime.

The problem is not the right to deliver petitions. It's the practice of doing so with cash (or check!) included.

Huh, lobbying, in my view, these days is nothing but paying people lots of money to steer their decisions... Otherwise why bother doing it...