The Impact of Thousands of Lobbyists, Essay Example

The impact of thousands of lobbyists in Washington DC and billions of dollars spent every year to change federal policies

The thousands of lobbyists and billions of dollars that are spent in changing the federal politics has significant implications in the process of decision making in Washington DC. The primary objectives of such activities and the money used is influencing the corporations, labor unions, industry groups and single issue organizations so that they can access the crucial decision makers in the government and influence the way they think. The influential professional advocates play a crucial role in lobbying the congress as well as the officials in government concerning the issues that matter to their clients. The big monies that are used  by the industries, business organizations and corporations, the labor unions and the issue groups in the lobbying exercises is insignificant in comparison to the returns that are anticipated from their efforts as long as their lobbying is successful. Each group has predetermined target in the federal lobbying and the focal point of their resources (Chowdhury, 2006).

The congressional leaders, the national media, political reform organizations as well as the presidency have all experienced the power as well as the influence of the lobbyist in Washington D.C.so many lobbyist have been documented to approach congress while using billion dollars on advocacy every year. However, the number of the lobbyist is not the determinant factor for success. It is important to highlight the important issues that unify the business groups that can also unite the environmentalists, the labor officials, and the consumers. Although resources and wealth can make a significant impact, it is crucial to strike a balance between the resources and the lobby agenda (Mokyr  & John, 2007).

The new leadership in politics is required to make major reforms which are a representation of democracy through elections. Lobbying can easily dampen the rate of economic growth through rent-seeking which implies to the process that involves seeking income using the special favors from the government instead of focusing on economic activities that are generally productive. The involvement in behaviors of rent-seeking by organizations and individuals leads to negative implications on the growth of economy. People are tempted to spend a greater part of their time as well as finances to achieve the fat economic pie for their own benefit instead of making the pie bigger. The policies that are associated with such practices are inefficient, wasteful as well as harmful. Successful rent-seeking is likely to be harmful to the society because it usually retards economic growth (Chowdhury, 2006).

Rent-seeking is a contributor to wastages in tax dollars through inefficient as well as unnecessary projects. Money is usually distributed from one sector in the society to rent-seekers with the rewards being outsize due to the much energy that must be used at the expense of other important things. The lobbyists must therefore acknowledge the poor reputation that is associated with their activities due to the ineffectiveness (Chowdhury, 2006). It is also prudent that the poor relationship of policy change and money is clearly understood. The power balance that is evident in the national politics gives the rich an advantage over any other citizen.

Health Care for Immigrant Families policy-making process

The current policy issue that will be discussed involves health care issues for the families of immigrants especially the low income class. The children of the immigrants from low class in the United States have limited chances of accessing the services of a health care provider as compared to their counterparts who are rightful citizens in the country (Flay, Allred & Ordway, 2001). This situation does not change even if their have insurance cover. On the same notes, the immigrant adults have limited opportunities of accessing the services offered in emergency rooms as compared to the natives of low class. Delivery of health care services is very important because every person is entitled to a good life which to some part depends on access to health care services.

In attempts of improving the delivery of health care services to families of immigrants especially the low income class, it is important to consider the important stages in the process of making a policy. The first stage involves identification of the problem. In this case it is evident that, the system of health care has some obstacles in addressing the needs of health care for the immigrants. The immigrants are believed to abuse the services of health care because even the ones covered by a publicly or privately funded insurance, the chances of visiting a doctor or emergency rooms are minimal.

Having identified the problem, it is prudent to consider the second stage that involves formulation of a policy. This can best be achieved through identification of the reasons why the situation arises. Such issues as language barrier, problems associated with fearing a possible deportation as well as cultural differences must be considered in the formulation of the policy. The state as well as the federal government can consider expansion of Medicaid to the legally permanent residents and offer support to the community health centers, non-profit organizations in health care as well as enhancing accessibility of interpreters.

The third stage involves efficient implementation of the policies that have been formulated. This involves making sure that the programs initiated in Medicaid to the legally permanent residents and offer support to the community health centers, non-profit organizations in health care are properly working.

The fourth and last stage involves evaluation of the functionality of the policies that have been formulated and implemented. Achieving the best advantage of the policy depends on its level of success and the government must therefore have the relevant mechanisms of assessing whether the policy benefits the immigrants and their families (Flay & Allred, 2003).

The order of these stages is very important because it facilitates for correct execution of the entire process. In majority of the situations, it is prudent to make the entire process a cycle with repetition of every stage as the changes are being observed. On successful evaluation of a policy for instance, it could be appropriate to reveal new problems that must be addressed. These are the important policy processes that the government must adopt so as to serve the members of the public with high levels of efficiency.

References

Chowdhury, F. L., (2006). Corrupt Bureaucracy and Privatization of Tax Enforcement (A Rent Seeking Bureaucracy ed.). Pathak Shamabesh, Dhaka. pp. 25–34.

Flay, B. R., & Allred, C. G., (2003). Long-term effects of the positive action program. American Journal of Health Behavior, 27 (supplement 1), S6-S21.

Flay, B. R., Allred, C. G., & Ordway, N., (2001). Effects of the positive action program on achievement and discipline: Two matched-control comparisons. Prevention Science, 2, 71–89.

Mokyr, J. & John V.C., (2007). Distributional Coalitions, the Industrial Revolution, and the Origins of Economic Growthn. Southern Economic Journal, 74(1):50–70.