On the Friday of February the 10th, Justin McCaulley came to discuss with my AP Government class on lobbyist. Justin McCaulley is a lobbyist, and has wanted to be a lobbyist since he was 8 years old. Lobbyist help people in politics to understand issues that citizens want heard. At the moment, Justin McCaulley is helping a propane seller by talking to the government to make grants for propane run buses for schools. The seller want to have schools buy propane for their buses, but needed help talking to the government for the change. I learned from this discussion is that lobbyists are misunderstood from every viewpoint. The public sees them as sneaky, under-the-table, liars; some government officials see them as annoying, and blabbermouths; and they see themselves are keystones to connecting the public to the government.
I planned to ask him three questions. How was being a director of the Federal Advocacy? What do you think someone should do to be heard from by the government? What did you have to do to get where you are now? I never got a chance to ask a question however, my last question was answered vaguely. Overall, the takeaway was that lobbyists are needed in politics, because they connect the people to the government. Although they are misunderstood, and some are devious, lobbyist are a helpful, and constitutional part of our government.