Apple Continued to Spend Near-Record Amounts of Money Lobbying the Trump Administration in 2018

[adamjackson]

What does lobbying entail? is that 6.6 million at Kinko's printing flyers to attach to power lines around DC? Salaries? Office space? or are they literally dumping cash briefcases off at various politician's offices?

When someone increases lobbying spending, what exactly are they spending it on?

 

[Zoboomafoo]

Lobbying in DC, not really news.
And only $6.6M ??!?!? Tim is really cheap!

Hah, I was gonna say. Apple just made 6 million dollars in the seconds I wrote this message. Seems pretty small

 

[RickInHouston]

This administration is doing a great job. Unemployment rate is at a record low, especially for African Americans and hispanics. But go on, keep yelling ORANGE MAN BAD

Agreed. And with the inept negotiators we've had in office previously we've sold our soul to other countries. It's time we pulled a bit harder on the Global Tug of War and right the ship. Countries around the world have ridden on our back for too long. President Trump is the first to realize this and not do 'business as usual' and take a cut under the table to keep the status quo.

How else does Michelle and Barack leave office both worth $140 million within one year?

 

[Vanilla35]

If you want to see how it all works go to Washington DC and then look at all the office towers nearby and all the major corporations packed around that area. Why are they there? Because the Government spends the most money and is the most valuable entity to influence. All centralized power, throughout history, turns into a cesspit of corruption. It is the nature of things and worth understanding, instead of candy-unicorn utopia thinking.

DC area actually has a lot of private entities and is also a very large metropolitan area in general. With that being said, the majority of the companies here do consist of government related activities, including defense/security companies, consulting firms, and NGOs.

Obviously any company that chooses to headquarter, or have a large office in this area (but is originally from another area), will do so for a relationship with the government, or for talent.

 

[Defthand]

...to influence the current government on issues such as privacy, education, climate change, trade, immigration, tax reform, and patent reform.

Sounds like a company trying to improve those things. No. If you read about their solicitations, Apple is only seeking more exemptions and preferential treatment. There's nothing consumer-centric about their motives. The article fails to mention Apple's lobbying against Right to Repair initiatives—a very anti-consumer position.

 

[MarkB786]

Yeah, drain the swamp and fill it with different dirty water.

 

[justperry]

This administration is doing a great job. Unemployment rate is at a record low, especially for African Americans and hispanics. But go on, keep yelling ORANGE MAN BAD

Can't stop laughing....

 

[BornAgainMac]

I have not spent a dime on lobbying. So if I spent a quarter on lobbying, it would be in record amounts of money for me compared to prior years.

 

[diegogaja]

You do realize that they aren’t giving this money directly to the administration, right?

I see what they’re doing it, but it’s sickening they spend any money on this administration.

[doublepost=1548259270][/doublepost]Previous administration did a better job on unemployment gains. The current admin is coasting on the solid groundwork laid out before 2017.

This administration is doing a great job. Unemployment rate is at a record low, especially for African Americans and hispanics. But go on, keep yelling ORANGE MAN BAD

 

[imran5720]

How is is legal ?

 

[Mackinjosh]

Shh! They don't want that factual information! Get it out of here!

Did you use the phrase "factual information" in regards to this administration?! Bahahahahahaha. Good one!

 

[diegogaja]

Said yet another way. conservatives are easier to buy and more corrupt?

Just a thought...

Perhaps it is Apple recognizing the opportunity of their money being more effective under a conservative led government?

Said another way: they’ll get more done under this government, so they’re being opportunistic?

 

[827538]

Can someone enlighten me as to why lobbying is still legal in the US? In my home country politicians would go to prison for a long time for this.

Seriously, ban it. Nothing good has ever come from lobbyists.

 

[justperry]

I have not spent a dime on lobbying. So if I spent a quarter on lobbying, it would be in record amounts of money for me compared to prior years.

Something is "seriously" wrong here.

 

[diegogaja]

LIke all other presidents when they leave office. After they left the White House, they increased their wealth from various book deals and lucrative speaking engagements. They also signed a production deal with Netflix.

Agreed. And with the inept negotiators we've had in office previously we've sold our soul to other countries. It's time we pulled a bit harder on the Global Tug of War and right the ship. Countries around the world have ridden on our back for too long. President Trump is the first to realize this and not do 'business as usual' and take a cut under the table to keep the status quo.

How else does Michelle and Barack leave office both worth $140 million within one year?

 

[justperry]

Can someone enlighten me as to why lobbying is still legal in the US? In my home country politicians would go to prison for a long time for this.

Seriously, ban it. Nothing good has ever come from lobbyists.

While I agree with you mostly, you can't ban lobbying, having a conversation at a party with someone could already be seen as lobbying if the other side suggest something.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Most likely on relations with China.

China knows the country is run by corporations, and the corporations do business in China looking for growth. If any admin makes relations harder for China, growth slows - China knows the corporations will come knocking and say they don't do that! China knows the CEO needs growth, so the CEO's lobby to ease relations so the CEO's can keep their big paychecks in return for Chinese growth.

Puppets. Or maybe we are the puppets.

 

[bokdol]

Chinese phones are killing apple's market. They know trump will help them. but in the end this will hurt consumers.

 

[Defthand]

When someone increases lobbying spending, what exactly are they spending it on?

A relative of mine used to sell memberships to a lobby group that represents small-medium size business owners. A board of elected members would weigh the most trending complaints of business owners, hire consultants to suggest opportunities or solutions, and determine which needed government cooperation. Some of the money is used to literally buy access to a politician. It's typically treated as a campaign donation. In return, you get facetime with the politician. He may, or may not, ultimately support your cause. But let's not kid ourselves, politicians are mostly former lawyers. They don't let their personal beliefs interfere with those of their paying clients. They are for hire.

Funds are also used for PR and media campaigns. And a great amount is spent on the administrative costs. That's right, lobbying itself is an industry, not an inspiring example of civil participation.

 

[adamjackson]

A relative of mine used to sell memberships to a lobby group that represents small-medium size business owners. A board of elected members would weigh the most trending complaints of business owners, hire consultants to suggest opportunities or solutions, and determine which needed government cooperation. Some of the money is used to literally buy access to a politician. It's typically treated as a campaign donation. In return, you get facetime with the politician. He may, or may not, ultimately support your cause. But let's not kid ourselves, politicians are mostly former lawyers. They don't let their personal beliefs interfere with those of their paying clients. They are for hire.

Funds are also used for PR and media campaigns. And a great amount is spent on the administrative costs. That's right, lobbying itself is an industry, not an inspiring example of civil participation.

Thanks for the info so there's operating costs of literally employing the lobbyist + office space then there's donations in exchange for FaceTime. Interesting.

thanks!

 

[BuffaloTF]

This administration is doing a great job. Unemployment rate is at a record low, especially for African Americans and hispanics. But go on, keep yelling ORANGE MAN BAD

Unemployment rates hide Underemployment rates, which means that most getting new jobs are in short-term, unsteady and part-time jobs. But, go on, continue with the talking points and platitudes. The course the country is on requires you to be participating in the dumbest Bird Box challenge yet to not see.

 

[udayan81]

You do realize that they aren’t giving this money directly to the administration, right?


[doublepost=1548259270][/doublepost]Previous administration did a better job on unemployment gains. The current admin is coasting on the solid groundwork laid out before 2017.

People like to forget unemployment was already at 4.8%. From the current of 3.9% that's just 0.9% improvement. https://www.factcheck.org/2017/09/obamas-final-numbers/

 

[JosephAW]

At least we are keeping the money in America.

 

[Carnegie]

Can someone enlighten me as to why lobbying is still legal in the US? In my home country politicians would go to prison for a long time for this.

Seriously, ban it. Nothing good has ever come from lobbyists.

Because, among other reasons, in the United States we have a Constitution which prohibits governments from "abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." (Emphasis added.)

We have the right to ask governments to implement or not implement policies which we support or oppose. We also have the right to pay others to do that on our behalf.

 

[laz232]

I see what they’re doing it, but it’s sickening they spend any money on this administration.

/s Yes, because there is such a difference between this administration and the previous ones when it comes down to actual policies and implementation./s As I see it: not much change - mainly limited to inept, inflammatory rhetoric from this president and a hyperbolic news media.

Yes the government shutdown sucks, especially for those directly involved, but Belgium was sans elected government for 589 days(!) in 2010-2011. The Belgians survived...

As to the OP article, what was all that money being spent on when the "good guy" i.e. Obama, was in power?

Make no mistake this money is spent so that Apple can convince the FDA that its new not-an-ECG-watch can be sold to everyone that has health concerns (because remember people - be afraid*), so that they can push their own driverless tech or create new tax loopholes, get cheaper on-shore factories or drive down wages through more cheap H1B visa imports (**) etc.

*for personal reasons I know exactly how insidious it is to instill health concerns into people
**Sometimes H1B type visas are important - I was hired to my current country as a specialist - I also see a reduction in wages when it becomes cheaper to hire candidates from other parts of the world - especially with unregulated university systems. Companies I've worked at have been stung by that... and have also made use of relatively cheap labour on specialist visas, compared to paying experience local engineers.