United States of Paypal influencing your Elected Officials

This week it looks Like the Paypal Lobby, is pulling the same thing Ebay's Government Relations mainstreet program did. Wonder which piece of legislation they are trying to influence this time around. They flew seven small business owners to Washington DC.

United States of Paypal

The story goes this way:
Paypal flies em in to Capital Hill so they can be the "voice" talking about their small business and oh wait, how wonderful Paypal is to them. Can't forget that. Gotta influence something remember?

"talk about their small businesses and how PayPal is helping them to successfully transact online"

Each met with THEIR Senators and Representatives to discuss their businesses and the safety that PayPal offers to work online. Oh gee, I wonder if they got their deposit accounts raided.

Meet with undisclosed Senators and Representatives of Congress from:
Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, Texas and Utah

Remember United States of Ebay, well try United States of Paypal. I can just imagine which major pieces of legislation they're looking at. According to one Senator, their meeting was on March 10th. Some of the one I called like Republican Senator John Kyle of Arizona apparently they're not able to give out that information as to whether your elected official met anyone on your tax dollars. Newbie Utah (where Paypal has offices) Representative Jason Chaffetz's office had one even better. Off the top of my head I don't know, but we'll have to ask him if we can say.

Why would it be so difficult to just answer whether the lawmaker was part of this meeting.

The attached file names which businesses were there. Notice anything out of the ordinary? Yup, you probably don't see it. That's because you're not supposed to. Shhh It's funny how those special sellers pay off now don't it.


I wonder if this organized event qualifies as a lobbyist activity by the company. Hmm. Your tax dollars at work. Gee March 10, 2010. What else was going on around the Hill? How about the hearing: Regulation of Money Service Businesses before The Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
, which just so happens to be one of the committees I love to watch on c-span.




Left to right featured in the photo: Rob Hendley, Chris Matsakis, Bob Adams,Vipul Shah (PayPal VP), Chris Chapman, Kathy Clarke, Mike Blood, Dale Majors, Travis Ruzicka, Sam Shrauger (PayPal VP), Sam Hendley


How do you feel about special interests?
Do you think that you have access to your Senator or Representative?
Do you find it ironic that a company like Paypal, a subsidary of Ebay, Inc would be so helpful to small businesses?
See any special priviledged sellers mixed in with those everyday Joe's?