From the Orlando Sentinel-
WASHINGTON - While members of Congress, their aides and lobbyists slept in their beds recently, Marcia Vottero paced outside the Capitol, trying to keep warm during an all-night vigil.If I was young and in good health with a healthy pair of feet and living in the DC area, I might ask where I could apply for this work. As is I don't fit any of my own criteria.Vottero wasn't there to demonstrate. She was just doing her job.
The 26-year-old is a professional line-stander, paid to line up for hours -- sometimes, even a day at a time -- to hold places for lobbyists who want seats at important congressional hearings and meetings.
Like many of her line-standing colleagues, Vottero is a bike messenger by day. But if there's a hearing or committee vote expected to draw a crowd, she pulls an extra shift as a place holder, a job that pays $10 to $20 an hour."It's something I want to do until I can't do it anymore or it stops being lucrative," said Vottero, a University of Maryland graduate with a degree in philosophy. She chose the biking job for its freedom and earns extra income with the line-standing because it's easy.
Busy and important people(If only important in their own minds) rarely like to spend time in lines. At least the lobbyists are going about it the right way, unlike some former Presidential hopeful who thought because of who is, didn't need to wait in line for something a driver's license renewal.
Critics want to ban practiceThere is always someone has to whine because another person beat them to it. Sure we need rules about standing in line, first subpart- Elected officials get to wait like everyone else. Lets see when that bill gets passed into law.Supporters say line-standers are an example of the free market at work. But critics say they're a corruption of democracy that gives lobbyists, who can afford them, an unfair edge over regular citizens.
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Comments (2)
When I was in college (back... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Jim Addison | December 25, 2007 6:02 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
When I was in college (back in the days of "rabbit ears" and "LPs"), student tickets to basketball games were free but limited in number, and each student could request a maximum of four tickets. With a good team and a big game, people camped out overnight to be sure they got seats.
The rule we adopted by consensus was that if you are "saving someone's place," when they arrive, you give them your spot and leave the line. Substitution was fine, but "jumping the line" was not.
Since these folks seem to be observing that same rule, why should Congress regulate the private arrangements between parties as to compensation?
1. Posted by Jim Addison | December 25, 2007 6:02 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 25, 2007 06:02
2. Posted by DoubleU | December 25, 2007 8:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Vottero, a University of Maryland graduate with a degree in philosophy.
Oh, so that's what a degree in philosophy will get you.
2. Posted by DoubleU | December 25, 2007 8:45 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 25, 2007 20:45