"It's about making sure lawmakers understand your narrative."
Agree. And what most people don't realize, that I have found out personally, [1] is that lawmakers (and/or their staff) are more than willing to listen to informed opinions and thoughts by individuals who are not "lobbyists" and don't represent "money". That the impediment to lobbying is really not always money but the ability to form and back up your argument or point of view and to sell your idea. There is no doubt in my mind that you and many other commenters on HN would make good "lobbyists" if they decided to take the time to make sure lawmakers understood their point of view.
[1] I've personally been down to Washington and have discussed issues in person with not only congressional staff but with members of various agencies. All it took was a letter asking to have meetings. Plenty of time allotted, they listened I have received letters back with further thoughts and questions from congressional legal staff. And a congressman that I met (that I didn't even have a meeting with) asked me why I was in DC. When he heard the reason his staff followed up literally 5 times after that to see if they could help further.
Agree. And what most people don't realize, that I have found out personally, [1] is that lawmakers (and/or their staff) are more than willing to listen to informed opinions and thoughts by individuals who are not "lobbyists" and don't represent "money". That the impediment to lobbying is really not always money but the ability to form and back up your argument or point of view and to sell your idea. There is no doubt in my mind that you and many other commenters on HN would make good "lobbyists" if they decided to take the time to make sure lawmakers understood their point of view.
[1] I've personally been down to Washington and have discussed issues in person with not only congressional staff but with members of various agencies. All it took was a letter asking to have meetings. Plenty of time allotted, they listened I have received letters back with further thoughts and questions from congressional legal staff. And a congressman that I met (that I didn't even have a meeting with) asked me why I was in DC. When he heard the reason his staff followed up literally 5 times after that to see if they could help further.