policy makers need to be informed to make smart policy, how else would we trust a bunch of polisci majors to implement climate and tech and ag policies? this is unfortunately too easy to game by hiring people to go put your thoughts in ears.

also, it's important to remember that there are lobbyists on all sides of an argument (some with much more paid time on their hands than others, but) its not hard to be one for an issue you want to impact if youre a subject matter expert.

i dont think we should or could be eliminating lobbying but tightly controlling how money/gifts/time are allocated to people who are speaking to politicians and policy makers about a particular issue