tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285353362748898720.post3079534261116408513..comments2024-03-28T06:53:24.022-05:00Comments on a blog about school: SideshowsChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12919030671050831251noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285353362748898720.post-60422633208989419072013-01-14T23:43:15.382-06:002013-01-14T23:43:15.382-06:00Anonymous -- Thanks for commenting! I don't t...Anonymous -- Thanks for commenting! I don't think Stone would qualify as a "lobbyist" under any of the federal lobbying disclosure laws, because he is not being paid to push someone else's agenda, and again, he has no personal financial interest in the passage of the diversity policy. Requiring ordinary citizens to disclose their contacts with their elected representatives would go far beyond any disclosure laws we have now. <br /><br />As for whether anyone would want a policy designed by a lobbyist, I can speak only for myself, but I think it should depend on whether it's a good policy, not on who designed it. I don't care what agendas are "associated with" a policy; I care what agenda the policy itself promotes, which I can best determine by reading it. <br /><br />I'm sure there are lots of lobbyist-drafted policies that I'd happily agree with -- if I happen to have the same positions as the lobbyist. I agree a lot with the ACLU, but I don't think the mere fact that a proposal is drafted by the ACLU is a good reason to support it; it depends what the proposal is.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07559356125770114400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285353362748898720.post-36600269768146399182013-01-14T11:19:32.328-06:002013-01-14T11:19:32.328-06:00I no longer have a personal stake in this game (i....I no longer have a personal stake in this game (i.e., no kids in school), but I am a taxpayer. I entirely agree that the focus of this debate has little to do with the merits and substance of the a diversity policy, generally, and this one, specifically. That said, there is a reason why there are lobby disclosures rule in the U.S. Knowing whether an elected official has consulted or discussed a policy issue with a lobbyist helps us to understand the agendas associated with proposed policies. Indeed, I would be fearful for the health of democracy that lacked these safeguards. This seems to be an analogous case to me. Hopefully, this understanding will help ICCSD people to craft solid policy that can benefit the community collectively. I doubt anyone wants a policy designed by a "lobbyist."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com