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A nice example of how lobbying efforts and campaign contributions have influenced the way that government looks at a particular issue is with the Chesapeake Bay. President Ronald Reagan stepped up to the plate during the 1980's when he signed the Chesapeake Bay Act. This was a piece of legislation that was aimed at developing strict measures in helping save this most treasured estuary.

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest watershed in the United States providing water to places such as Philadelphia, New York City, and Baltimore, Maryland. The Chesapeake Bay Act was aimed at cutting down industrial waste and polution in the water, not defeating the working waterman. This is where lobbying efforts are doing their damage. They are trying to kill the working man.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation which is based in Baltimore is a conglomerate of lobbyists, lawyers, and well to do folks who are all about preserving the Chesapeake Bay. The only thing is that they want to erase the working waterman. While they eat seafood at the five star restaurants, they don't realize that a hardworking person actually went and caught that seafood that is on their plate.

The thing of it is, this isn't happening on the Chesapeake, it is going on in seafaring, traditonal rich areas such as Boston and the great state of Maine. At the same time while the big wigs are eating Lobster seviche and crab salad, they are strongly against the waterman doing their job.

The Chesapeake Bay is at its worst when it comes to regulations against the working waterman. On one hand the government is saying that crab catches are scarce but the watermen are saying that the catches are at all time highs. I remember an old Travis Tritt song from long ago, 'Lord Have Mercy on the Working Man'. Until this rings true, the high dollar campaign contributors are going to have their way.

It is a big difference when you are sitting behind a desk then when you are out trying make a living the hard way. I believe that President Reagan had good intentions with the Chesapeake Bay Act but it has gotten to the point where it is nothing but moot.

The seafood industry goes in circles just like agriculture. There are good years and bad years. The big wigs in Washington have to realize this. They are trying to take down an industry that is time honored as the great United States itself.

The lobbyist and the big time contributors have taken control of how policy towards the Chesapeake Bay is looked upon. Unless the working man has a say, the regulations are going to get harder and harder, putting an end to a very time honored tradition.

Learn more about this author, Chad Morgan.
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