Are you a lobbyist?

Most people would respond to this question by simply reponding no if they know what one is or changing the subject is if they don't. Well 901am is reporting that if the government has their way many more people will not only know what a lobbyist is but may actually be considered one themselves. Here is an exept they had from Richard A. Viguiere, Chairman of Grassroots Freedom:

"Section 220 of S. 1, the lobbying reform bill currently before the Senate, would require grassroots causes, even bloggers, who communicate to 500 or more members of the public on policy matters, to register and report quarterly to Congress the same as the big K Street lobbyists."

This is an interesting move the U.S. government is taking considering we have rights to free speech and all but I can see where the line gets blurred between lobbyist and blogged. I mean I guess you have to draw the line somewhere. I am not sure what the distinguishment of being a "lobbyist" has on a blogger i.e. what, if any, constraints or limitations this puts on bloggers and what they write.

Keep an eye on this one as now that the story has been broken there is likely to be a slew of people making their opinions known on the topic. For more information check out the Grassroots Freedom page about the issue or to get involved you can sign this petition.

(via 901am)