As is often the case with any form of government, there are only so many resources to go around, especially in a country as large and diverse as the United States of America. Naturally, in a country where the government determines where and how its resources are divided amongst the many causes and interests of its people, there are various special interest groups and corporations that try to influence the government in its decision-making. This process is known as lobbying, and for better or worse, it plays a major role in American politics.

Controversial in nature, lobbying is typically carried out by well-connected advocates, lawyers, or ex-government officials, who are paid to use their influence with politicians and other public officials to sway political favor one way or another. The connections these lobbyists have with said bureaucrats is often of a very personal nature, and in some cases these relationships span the course of several years or decades, if not their entire life. Continue reading →