To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
Lobbying' is the activity of attempting to influence legislation by privately influencing the legislators. It is the result and creation of a mixed economy-of government by pressure groups. Its methods range from mere social courtesies and cocktail-party or luncheon "friendships" to favors, threats, bribes, blackmail.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Lobbying is the practice of influencing legislation through personal connections and pressure tactics.
This quote by Ayn Rand highlights the complexities and ethical dilemmas surrounding lobbying in a mixed economy. It suggests that lobbying can involve a spectrum of behaviors, from innocuous social interactions to unscrupulous methods like bribery and blackmail, indicating a system where private interests can significantly sway public policy and government decisions.
Themes
LobbyingLegislationInfluenceEthicsPolitics
In practice
Example use cases
Used in a political debate to discuss the ethics of lobbying.
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It is my eyes which see, and the sight of my eyes grants beauty to the earth. It is my ears which hear, and the hearing of my ears gives its song to the world. It is my mind which thinks, and the judgement of my mind is the only searchlight that can find the truth. It is my will which chooses, and the choice of my will is the only edict I must respect.
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One method of destroying a concept is by diluting its meaning. Observe that by ascribing rights to the unborn, i.e., the nonliving, the anti-abortionists obliterate the rights of the living.
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I think that when in doubt about the truth of an issue, it's safer and in better taste to select the least numerous of the adversaries.
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