I guess I fail to see the difference between the CEO of Exxon writing and Exxon itself. Of course, the real issue at hand is that of money being spent to lobby. Individuals also have a right to spend their money to lobby. Individuals with more money have an outsized influence, kind of by nature. Corporations of course have more money than individuals, but corporations can simply give their money to officers that they know are going to lobby on behalf of it anyway, so it's all a matter of money shuffling. I prefer things to be transparent rather than obfuscated on purpose.
I favour regulation that tries to minimise that outsize influence. One elector one vote and all that.
Hence trying to limit opportunity for professional and full time lobbyists, the permanent presence near to government constantly trying to influence, create and ruin policy. Sure, the CEO is probably only ever going to sign rather than write, and their money will always bring extra influence. I'd hope to find a balance that keeps it transparent but minimises gaming the system with money.
As is, lobbying is bending most governments around the world badly out of shape, and seems to have got far out of hand. Of course getting a better system, whatever it may be, through the current system is another matter entirely... :)
I'm still dumbfounded by the idea that corporations should enjoy any kind of right or privilege, let alone that kind of special treatment they enjoy nowadays.
