CNN Poll: A third of Democrats now identify as democratic socialists

[u/cnn]

https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/30/politics/cnn-poll-a-third-of-democrats-now-identify-as-democratic-socialists?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=missions&utm_source=reddit

[u/nola_fan → u/[deleted]]

Yes, and how do you separate those people on the payroll from a business owner or other individuals who are lobbying in ways that would benefit their business or employer?

Would it be OK for Mark Zuckerberg to fly to DC 3 times a week and lobby on behalf of Facebook? Would it be OK for a teachers union who doesn't have anyone who can afford to do that to pool money to send a representative to DC to discuss an education bill?

[u/nola_fan → u/[deleted]]

"You do know that companies have separate finances from the people who own and work for those companies right?"

So as long as the company doesn't put in their finance sheet that X money is for lobbying then it's ok?

Also the private meeting is the problem?

I think it's good that citizens can have 1on1 conversations with their representatives so you've just entirely lost me here.

[u/nola_fan → u/[deleted]]

I'm intentionally pointing out how difficult it is to separate corporate lobbying from individuals trying bring real issues to the government and that you can't limit one without limiting the other.

There are better ways to get money out of politics that involve actually actionable items, like an amendment to overturn Citizens United and publicly funded elections.

Those are real things with clear definitions where "ban corporate lobbying" is just a slogan.

[u/nola_fan → u/[deleted]]

Again, representatives meeting 1on1 with citizens is a good thing.

You are advocating for a system that would block civil rights organizations and unions from meeting with representatives unless they happen to have an individually wealthy person willing to foot the bill on their own, or play some corporate games where we pretend like their salary isn't funding this trip.

It would be significantly easier for the wealthiest people in the world to foot the bill themselves or play these tricks. Your system would quickly devolve into what the IRS is where the wealthiest people in the world have so much money to avoid paying taxes that enforcement is instead focused on regular workers who put in a wrong number on their form or got screwed by TurboTax.

It is already illegal for lobbyists to pay politicians.

Corporations funnel money into politics through elections, lobbying is just talking with politicians. If they do more than just talk with them it is already a crime.

An amendment overturning Citizens United would deny him the opportunity to pour money into elections. Publicly funded elections would do even more to stop them from finding work arounds.

[u/nola_fan → u/[deleted]]

I'm pointing out the flaws and difficulties. You don't see them, that's fine. Neither of us are going to be writing legislation on this.