An Independent Opinion - Gingrich v media

Is it possible to get an independent opinion? And what is a genuine independent opinion worth. For example, my independent opinion on Paul Krugman was met with a reader accusing me of being a pseudo intellectual  and associating me with neo-Nazis-whatever that means? 


However, the reader carefully sandwiched his name calling between lovely liberal slices of saying, I was a good writer and that he liked my book "The Brain Brokers." It was a puzzling array of complimentary criticism. Oh yes, he also called me a Rush Limbaugh want-a-be. It is hard to argue with so many conflicting accusations. For me, I am just happy to have someone take the time to comment pro or con, that is how pure my free speech view is.


Now back to the issue of whether or not it is possible to get an independent opinion? Consider what is happening to Gingrich right now. The media and others want to label him a lobbyist. By definition, a lobbyist does not have an independent opinion. They are paid to assert and promote a specific opinion on an issue. They must also register with a Senate Office in accordance with the Lobbyist Disclosure Act. Of course that is the media's endgame. If they can assert often enough that Gingrich was a lobbyist, then they can ultimately shift the argument to asserting that Gingrich violated the rules by not registering with the senate office in accordance with the Lobbyist Disclosure Act. Gingrich is a smart fellow, but even he has trouble digging out of an avalanche of reckless media assertions.


Gingrich insists he was a consultant. There is a significant difference between a lobbyist and a consultant that Gingrich's accusers gloss over. Lobbyists are paid to express and promote "Someone else's opinion" - The milk prices are too high, republicans are evil, the merger will hurt the consumer, we need lower wheat prices, and so on. Some media writers should be compelled to register as a lobbyist because they are paid, by their media owners, to express a specific opinion.


In contrast, consultants are paid to express their own opinion, "Not someone else's opinion," on the matter at issue. The value of the consultant is embedded in the issue of independence. If the company that engaged the consultant did not want an independent opinion, they could, in all likelihood, ask someone in their own company to provide an affirmative stance. This option would be more cost effective than hiring a consultant.  


In my expert witness and other engagements, I am a consultant. Clients pay me to provide "my" opinion, but clients can not pay me to provide "the client's" opinion. 


An independent opinion is valuable.