Lobbyists Love a Silent Crowd — Don’t Give Them That

Lobbyists Love a Silent Crowd — Don’t Give Them That

Published Jan 16, 2025

South Carolinians love to complain about what their legislators are up to in Columbia. You can hear it at coffee shops, church potlucks, and social gatherings—the same lament about politicians passing laws that increase taxes, impose more regulations, and strip away personal freedoms. But here’s the uncomfortable truth—can we really blame the legislators when the people aren’t consistently pushing back?

It’s not enough to grumble about what’s wrong, we have to be willing to act. Because if you’re quiet, the lobbyists aren’t—and they’re making sure they fill that silence with their demands.

Let’s be honest, legislators will keep doing what they do and most of the time, that means listening to the loudest voices in the room. Right now, those voices belong to think tanks and lobbyists. These folks know how to play the game, and they play it well. Lobbyists cozy up to legislators, donate to their campaigns, and make sure they show up at the Statehouse during legislative sessions armed with their agendas, ready to push their priorities. And guess what? It works.

It works 100%!

For simplicity’s sake, let’s lump all those groups—think tanks, corporations, and lobbyists—under one term: lobbyists, because at the end of the day, they all share one goal, influencing legislation to serve their own interests. These are the folks who stand to profit from the legislation being passed. They’re there to ensure their interests are protected. Meanwhile, the regular folks—the taxpayers, business owners, homeschoolers, parents—are nowhere to be found. Maybe it’s because they don’t realize how much is happening behind the scenes, or maybe they just don’t have the time to keep up with all the bills being pushed through. The people who will be directly impacted by these laws are noticeably absent when it matters most. Why is that?

Please understand, this isn’t about judging or shaming anyone. It’s a call to awareness. The legislative process belongs to the people of South Carolina because we’re the ones paying for it. It’s supposed to serve the people, not the other way around. But that only works if folks stay involved. Voting every few years and then walking away doesn’t cut it. If you want to keep your legislators in check, you’ve got to stay engaged. Voting is just the starting point, not the finish line.

Here’s what happens when the people step back, legislators get free rein to pass bill after bill with little to no pushback from the folks back home. And when there’s no pushback, it’s easy for lawmakers to get cozy with those lobbyists. Why wouldn’t they? They’re the ones showing up, shaking hands, handing out gifts, treating them to fancy dinners, boosting their egos, making donations, and making sure their voices are heard. It’s human nature to respond to who’s in front of you, and right now, it’s not the everyday South Carolinian.

If you’re wondering why there are so many bills being proposed that seem to hijack personal responsibility or impose more restrictions on your life, it’s because there’s a well-oiled machine behind it all. Special interest groups aren’t just suggesting ideas, they’re actively crafting legislation. And unless the people push back, those bills sail right through.

Think about it, every new law creates a ripple effect. It impacts your business, your family, your education choices, and even your freedom to make personal decisions. Yet, how many people actually take the time to read the bills being proposed? How many ask their legislators tough questions about those bills? How many show up at committee meetings to express concerns or support? The sad reality is, very few.

This isn’t an easy fix. It requires consistent effort and involvement. But here’s the good news, the system is still within your reach. Legislators are accessible. They hold town halls. They have email addresses and phone numbers.

But they won’t know what you want unless you tell them. And let’s be honest, most of them aren’t going to put in the extra effort to find out unless they’re pushed.

What is a constitutional republic? That means we elect representatives to carry out the will of the people while ensuring that laws remain within constitutional bounds. But—and this is a big but—that system only works if the people remain actively engaged. Right now, we’re seeing a lot of elected officials running amok, passing laws that have little to do with constitutional protection and everything to do with appeasing lobbyists.

James Madison once warned about factions hijacking the system. He understood that unchecked power leads to corruption. So, what are we doing to keep that in check? Complaining on social media isn’t going to cut it. We need to be more intentional.

Imagine if every South Carolinian took just a little time each week to engage with the legislative process. It could be as simple as sending an email to your representative, asking them why they support a certain bill. Or showing up at a committee meeting to voice your concerns. Or even organizing with like-minded folks to keep an eye on proposed legislation.

Yes, it takes time and effort. But consider the alternative. If you don’t speak up, someone else will—and they might not have your best interests at heart. The lobbyists will keep doing what they’re doing. The question is, will you?


Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not constitute legal or professional advice. ConservaTruth assumes no liability for any actions taken based on this content. Read more.


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