It’s one thing to read about the massive lobbying power that industries have. It’s in the news every day. There are stories about how much money the big pharmaceutical companies are spending, and certainly there are tales about the heavy pressure the health insurance lobby is bringing during the current health care debate.
It’s all minor league compared to the telephone industry. Read on and you will get a first-hand look at the power of a real major league lobbying organization. It’s not only the money and influence they generate in Washington, although they certainly do that.. So do many other special interest groups, like big pharma and insurance. The power of the telephone lobby lies in the power and influence they generate outside of Washington.
Telephone company representatives are in every Congressional district. They are in or around most communities.
