If you've ever visited DC, it's plainly visible in the skyline. There is a law stating no buildings can be taller than the monuments, so all the buildings are the roughly same height.
There are a handful of true government buildings, and everything else is associations, thousands of them, things like american dental association, metal workers association, etc. There are so many associations there is an association of associations.
It is these people writing the laws. The congressmen don't even read them all before they sign them.
Aside from the point of congressmen not reading bills prior to signing them, this is not really an issue.
Why should we expect every member of congress to be an expert in dentistry? We shouldn't as that would be a waste of time. That is what the numerous associations/think tanks are there for. To guide legislators in their decisions.
Abuse exists, but that does not mean we should abolish the idea of it.
None of those people represent me. They represent dentists, steel workers, etc. My representation is severely drowned out by all of the money. This is the problem. Their laws may benefit me, or they may hinder, but they certainly do not benefit democracy. I should not need a million dollars to throw at capitol hill for my vote to count. Sure, we should have experts from the industries to guide the laws, I'm just not sure they should be paid by industries when they do it.
There are a handful of true government buildings, and everything else is associations, thousands of them, things like american dental association, metal workers association, etc. There are so many associations there is an association of associations.
It is these people writing the laws. The congressmen don't even read them all before they sign them.