For the most part, they’re hated by the American public. But have you ever wondered what lobbyists have done for you? Could they be the force behind:

• Growth, jobs, industries, consumer services and educational programs in your region?

• Changes that clean-up our environment?

• Your latest raise or promotion?

When political pundit Dr. Gerry Patnode discusses what we should love about the U.S. lobbying tradition, listeners learn who’s really fighting for and protecting our interests. Dr. Patnode will offer surprising facts related to lobbying groups that influence your legislators in Washington and elsewhere:

• Some of the most powerful are the AARP, NAACP, NEA (National Education Association), and the American Red Cross.

• How such massive organizations impact public policy and your life daily.

• We ALL belong to some special interest group (professional societies, trade groups, unions).

• Whether laws regulating lobbyists are limiting progress OR not strong enough.

• The presidential candidates’ ties to lobbying. Will that impact your vote?

• Ways lobbyists get government officials to be more responsive to YOU.

• Why you needn’t be a lobbyist yourself to be politically active and influential.

CREDENTIALS: Dr. Gerry Patnode is a professor of strategy, marketing and consumer behavior at York College in Pennsylvania. A respected public opinion pollster, voter behavior analyst and election outcome prognosticator, he’s worked as a political pollster for NBC and ABC-TV and authored THE STRATEGIC CITIZEN: A Citizen’s Guide to Playing and Winning the Game of Politics.

AVAILABILITY: Pennsylvania, nationwide by arrangement and via telephone
CONTACT: Dr. Gerry Patnode, (410) 252-7265 or (717) 815-6497 (PA); grpatnode@comcast.net; www.strategiccitizen.com