All the talk of lobbyists or lobbying and the Obama Transition Team's stringent rules to reduce the undue influence of lobbying in government (and the apparent lack of bright lines thereof) made me think about the role of lobbyists in public life.

I remember when Sen. Clinton said that she would not stop taking lobbyists' money, because lobbyists are speaking up for constituencies who are also Americans and should be heard.

My admittedly shallow, outraged response was: but who lobbies on my behalf? While you're dancing with them what brung you, what about the people who set up the hall, cooked the food, and will clean up after it's done?

Professor Lessig on: socialized risk: privatized benefits:



Who lobbies on our behalf? And why does it always seem that we don't have the money or the connections to bring some common sense into the commons?