Saint Nick

I finally got around to going to see Thank You for Smoking. I had heard that this movie made fun of lobbyists. So, I hadn't wasted my time seeing it. But, I decided I'd better go see for myself. And, you know what?

I laughed my tailfeathers off! It was really funny! And, I think the movie illustrates what fine people lobbyists really are.

I support my opinion with the following observations from the movie.

First, a lobbyist's first name is "teamwork." I mean, look at how Nick worked together with the MOD squad. These "merchants of death" (representing the tobacco, alcohol, and firearms lobbies) had weekly meetings to share ideas and promote their clients. This is "teamwork" with a capitol "T."

Second, Nick was adaptable. Look at how he so quickly learned the cell phone industry after he lost his gig as a tobacco lobbyist. That guy could spin-doctor anything. On a moment's notice.

Third, Nick was financially responsible. Remember how he explained why he was a lobbyist? He had a mortage to pay. Can't argue with that. And, he did whatever it took to make that payment each and every month.

Fourth, Nick (eventhough he was divorced) was family oriented and a role model to his son. He spent time with his kid - he took the kid to work with him for crying out loud. He went to his kid's school to speak on career day. He even taught the kid how to engage in persuasive argument. "The beauty of argument," Nick says, "is that if you argue correctly, you're never wrong." Now that's a skill worth learning.

And, fifth, Nick was flexible in performing his job duties. He even said so himself. You have to have a“certain moral flexibility” to have my job.

So, you see - a team player, adaptable, financially responsible, family oriented, and flexible. What more could you want?