• FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    The chair of a review committee does not set policy. They simply get a voice in the committee that sends reports that might be read by the people who set policy.

    And influence is not measured solely by committee assignments. Otherwise, Elon Musk would lack any influence.

    • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      The chair of a review committee does not set policy.

      You are mistaken.

      They simply get a voice in the committee that sends reports that might be read by the people who set policy.

      They author the policies that the MPs vote on. Show me a piece of legislation passing through Parliament or an executive level policy decision, and I’ll show you the committee that penned it. The Cass Report is a great example.

      And influence is not measured solely by committee assignments.

      Sure. There’s also money. Guess which job puts you in a better position to take bribes?

      • FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        They author the policies

        If the chair gets to write policy, what do the other committee members do?

        I’ll show you the committee that penned it

        “All legislation passed through a committee” does not mean “All committee output becomes legislation”.

        • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          If the chair gets to write policy, what do the other committee members do?

          Also write the policies. These documents are enormous and require extensive research to compose correctly.

          “All legislation passed through a committee” does not mean “All committee output becomes legislation”.

          What percentage of legislation does a college president write?

          • FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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            3 months ago

            The same as the percentage of legislation that Elon Musk writes.

            Influence is more than an opportunity to write legislation. And no, she isn’t going to earn more in “bribes” than the $5 million/yr she earned as university president. Nor will she be provided a 10,000 sqft apartment in Manhattan.

              • FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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                3 months ago

                None. He pays lobbyists to author it. And then pays PACs to get it enacted. Doesn’t even have to restrict himself to international relations or just one country. Do you really think he had no role in multiple national incentives for EV buyers?

                And on top of that, he can directly influence the media via Twitter, the space industry via SpaceX, the automotive industry via Tesla, and any Republican politician via a phone call. A mere committee chair would be jealous, some of them can’t even win over the rest of their committee.