A good disparaging description of governmental affairs is the often-used phrase "smoke and mirrors." Unlike the work of SH&E professionals that can be measured by decreases in injuries and illnesses, it is always difficult to measure the effect of government affairs. Since the vast majority of bills introduced in state legislatures and the U.S. Congress die mostly due to inertia, it is sometimes hard to take seriously claims by lobbyists and organizations that they "killed" a bill. On the other hand, many governmental affairs victories come at great cost in personal and corporate contributions, soft money expenditures, advertising purchases, and DC or state capital lobbying fees for small lines of legislative script that may have great effect.
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