Lobbying as a Legal Practice Stipulated in the Constitution of the US - Essay Example

Larry D. Meyers has worked under different government offices; additionally, he has taken the responsibility of lecturing on the issue of lobbyism in the United States. The agency serves clients such as universities, companies, cities, trade associations, and even individuals. Meyers and Associates lobby mostly legislative issues to the federal government and congress on behalf of clients. The organization’s mission is ‘to be successful in capitalizing on the opportunities and meeting challenges presented by Washington it is advantageous to have Washington representation that can combine experience and national contacts’. Meyers and Associates is an organization developed to represent private lobbying. This agency derives its fund from revenue raised through charity and clients’ payments.

Interview
Describe one of this agency’s lobby activities
Meyers and Associates, as an organization prevented the closing of military bases. In particular, it lobbied against closing military bases located in Mississippi and Texas. The closing of the bases was between the years 1993 and 2005. Thanks to this organization some bases were spared (Zetter, 2008).

What are the advantages of their lobbying?
Lobbying has ensured that opinions from minority, powerless and poor groups have reached the people sitting in congress and federal offices. Through lobbying, also the government has become acquainted with the pressing issues affecting individuals and organizations. Equally, lobbyists assist Congress in formulating laws, which will be practical and operational (Zetter, 2008).

What are the roadblocks to lobbying?
Lobbying as a practice is faced with the following challenges inadequate finances to support the organization’s endeavors, failure on the side of lobbyists to influence staff in Congress offices, and formulation of impractical legislation (Zetter, 2008).

What is the importance of lobbying?
Important factors in lobbying include knowing influential staff and secretaries working in federal and Congress offices. Lobbyists should get familiar with current issues and bills being processed, have fingertip information on legislators, and the interest of clients should always be respected (Zetter, 2008).

What are the necessary skills that a lobbyist needs to be effective?
A lobbyist should have influence and negotiation skills. A lobbyist should have a good reputation, follow-up appointments, and a positive attitude toward the people working around them. Other features include being responsible, articulate, and propriety (Zetter, 2008).
Share the success/ contributions of lobbying to your organization
On numerous occasions, lobbying has contributed to my organization’s success by advocating for legislation that ensures the creation of a business-friendly environment. In particular, through lobbying my organization has realized more profit due to the reduction of tax rates and getting access to more clients (Zetter, 2008).

Why is lobbying important to the social work field?
Social work entails helping less privileged people in society. On the other hand, lobbying entails advocating for the needs and desires of individuals and groups to the federal government or Congress. Social work and lobbying ultimately ensure that the needs of disadvantaged individuals and groups are heard by a higher authority (Zetter, 2008).
What is the experience of working with colored and low-income people?

Working with low-income and colored people is amazing this is because they are not different compared to people in mainstream organizations. They have a down-to-earth nature, which propelled me to support their cause since they too have interests (Zetter, 2008).

Conclusion
From the interview, I have appreciated the fact that lobbyists contribute a lot in ensuring that individuals and organizations have smooth living and operating environments. Social work aids in presenting the interests of groups of individuals who are less privileged, voiceless, or oppressed. This interview has been instrumental in comprehending the importance of social work being part of lobbying. Lobbying as a practice should be enhanced, and individuals should use lobbying agencies to channel their views. Read More