Q. What's a lobbyist? A.It's a 'non-office-holding politician' in 'economic garb'. Its not sufficient that corporations have a tremendous advantage over individuals, but some individuals give them the benefit of a 'lobby'. Again, its not for 'qualitative' reasons that lobbyists function within society, its simply for money. Many are ex-politicians. I guess, once money creeps into a life-style, it's difficult to let-go. Lets hope thats not always the case. The silicon 'Geeks' are rapidly replacing the corporate moguls in suits, so maybe there's a chance for the less-fortunate to help establish a real democracy.(maybe not) Time will tell. It would be nice to have someone from the bottom strata of society elevate themselves by the 'collar' to an influential position in the social and not forget from where he or she came. But, also try to consider the fact that 'computerization of the social' means basically, more quantitative control over activities and products of the people. Just as activity and products becomes 'more algorithmic', maybe the movement will expand to considering each individual in a democracy as Number; this would be a 'political algorithm' that includes the unique individuality of each person within any particular policy or law. Democracy is an equation with a Top and a Bottom. 'Quantification' of the social does not have to be harmful; on the contrary, it can insure that each individual is counted, included or excluded, within any particular policy or law. That way a government of the people, by the people, and for the people can have a 'flourishing individuality' as opposed to 'haves' vs have-nots'. Non-discriminating quantification or less Party-politics can be a good insurance policy against 'democratic' exclusion.