It's vastly overstated how well lobbyists are paid. Jack Abramoff apparently had a $6 million book of business: http://sunlightfoundation.com/blog/2011/03/04/the-rise-and-f.... That's a lot of money, but its roughly commensurate with the revenues per partner in other professional services like law or management consulting. Indeed, I bet a top New York marketing consultant bills out at a higher rate than a top D.C. lobbyist.
Now, I'm obviously not arguing that lobbyists don't get paid enough. Rather, I'm pointing out that you need to use your head before taking Lessig's 600-2200% return on lobbying dollars claims at face value. If lobbying firms offered that kind of return, then lobbying firms would make a lot more money. As it is, a trader or hedge fund professional that makes low-doube digit returns can pull in as much as the total lobbying revenues of a top lobbying firm.
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? lobbyists are exceptionally well payed. Capitol hill is now a farm league for K street...
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic,_Lost
It's vastly overstated how well lobbyists are paid. Jack Abramoff apparently had a $6 million book of business: http://sunlightfoundation.com/blog/2011/03/04/the-rise-and-f.... That's a lot of money, but its roughly commensurate with the revenues per partner in other professional services like law or management consulting. Indeed, I bet a top New York marketing consultant bills out at a higher rate than a top D.C. lobbyist.
Now, I'm obviously not arguing that lobbyists don't get paid enough. Rather, I'm pointing out that you need to use your head before taking Lessig's 600-2200% return on lobbying dollars claims at face value. If lobbying firms offered that kind of return, then lobbying firms would make a lot more money. As it is, a trader or hedge fund professional that makes low-doube digit returns can pull in as much as the total lobbying revenues of a top lobbying firm.