[cmccabe]

If corporations are banned from trying to persuade people (i.e., advertising), they'll turn to bribing politicians (i.e. hiring lobbyists). Which is worse? I think that's clear.

I don't agree with Comcast's position here, but I think they should be allowed to be heard if they want to be. Democratic societies are strong because they're made up of a lot of strong non-governmental institutions and groups, not just an all-powerful government and powerless individuals.

[dragonwriter]

> If corporations are banned from trying to persuade people (i.e., advertising), they'll turn to bribing politicians (i.e. hiring lobbyists).

So, you are saying if corporations are allowed to advertise, they won't hire lobbyists?

(Not that marketing to the public is any less bribery or more trying to convince people than lobbying is, the only difference between the two is the universe of people being targeted for bribery/convincing.)

[ericd]

Straight up bribery comes with scandals and criminal convictions when detected, which is a plus. Because then you can start to weed this behavior out.

[cmccabe]

There are lots of ways to bribe, and most of them are legal.