The Best government Money Can Buy - Movie Review - 2009

Filmmaker Francis Megahy investigates the ways in which political lobbyists working for special interest groups -- including both nonprofits and private corporations -- influence policy making decisions by funding political campaigns.

The extent of the practice of lobbying and buying influence may come as a shock to some viewers. Others who've followed the debate about limiting campaign contributions and/or changing policy so that campaigns are paid for by public rather than private funds will find this documentary a thoroughly researched and responsible representation of both sides of the coin.

Filmmaker Francis Megahy presents interviews with leading politicians, with clips of Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton and other high-ranking politicians expressing their views of the efficacy of lobbying, while influential lobbyist and lobby watchdogs explain the basics of the process and comment on whether or not it works effectively.

Although both sides are represented, the film points out that lobbying is basically unfair. True, political campaigns cost a lot of money, and somebody has to pay for them. But the present lobbying system allows large corporations with deep pockets and specific corporate needs -- requiring regulations about everything from the environment to taxation on imports -- to contribute billions of dollars to both the Democrat and Republican parties and to specific candidates, thereby buying their loyalty and support for legislation that favors their corporate goals. The film informs us of which companies have contributed how much -- and the statistics are staggering.

The Complaints

Among many heavy complaints about the system, standouts include that there are currently more lobbyists than there are elected officials, and that they have more influence than elected officials. In fact, lobbyists often actually write legislation that's enacted by elected officials. And, that lobbyists pay millions of dollars to individual members of congress to secure their support for specific legislation.

Furthermore, it's very clearly stated in the film that there are unacceptable conflicts of interest when politicians who've received campaign contributions from one corporation sit on the board of another corporation with similar interests, or switch back and forth between serving as lobbyists and running for office. Then, too, watchdogs take exception at the fact that lobbyists are not elected officials, yet the influence they exert over elected officials often surpasses the influence effected by the citizens who elected the officials.

The issue of lobbying is an important and complicated one. This documentary helps audiences to think their way through it and come to an informed opinion. What they can do with their informed opinion seems to be quite another matter.

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Film Details:

• Title: The Best Government Money Can Buy?
• Director: Francis Megahy
• Release Date: 2010 (limited)
• Running Time: 76 mins.
• Parents Advisory: Advisory for content
• Locations: Washington, DC
• Language: English
• Production Company: Bedford Communications
• Distribution Company: Cinema Libre Studio
• Trailer