Google Critic Ousted from Think Tank Funded by the Tech Giant
I think Google&#x27;s lobbying overall is the result of being punished early on by regulatory capture of competitors. Look at the threats:<p>* Microsoft funded number backroom whisper campaigns in DC (<a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.businessinsider.com&#x2F;what-an-anti-google-whisper-campaign-looks-like-2009-6" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.businessinsider.com&#x2F;what-an-anti-google-whisper-c...</a>)
* Microsoft and Oracle funded their own Astroturf lobbying groups and think tanks, to tie up the company in lawsuits and investigations (e.g. FairSearch)
* Oracle funding numerous shills like Florian Mueller
* Carriers and Cable Companies lobbying to demolish net-neutrality
* Bills like SOPA.<p>Google used to spend very little on lobbying, and as a result Verizon, Microsoft, Oracle, Comcast, had the undivided attention of Congress.<p>Now to be fair, Microsoft was attacked by its competitors with similar campaigns in the 80s and 90s. It just goes to show you that corporate lobbying can play off people&#x27;s populist tendencies and weaponize them against competitors.<p>So when you ask, &quot;How could Google give to ALEC&quot;, a question Googlers themselves ask, or contribute to conservatives who deny client science, you have to consider that Congress has the industry by the balls. They can threaten regulation or punishment, and then hold fundraisers on pledges to block said regulation. It&#x27;s a shakedown: &quot;nice business you have there, shame if I&#x27;d have to regulate it. By the way, I&#x27;m having a fundraising dinner next week&quot; Why would Silicon Valley serve on Trump&#x27;s advisory councils when many of the members revile Trump on a personal level? Because there&#x27;s a huge risk making the executive branch an enemy.