I get that holding a place in line for somebody is definitely a way to "cheat" the system and it isn't necessarily "fair."
That said, these people are being paid for standing in line and at a pay rate much higher than minimum wage.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-says-apos-091018328.html
On Wednesday, the freshman lawmaker highlighted the way in which lobbyists and others who can afford it pay people including some who are homeless to wait in line for them outside committee hearings.
"Shock doesn't begin to cover it," tweeted Ocasio-Cortez.
Initially, she wrote, she believed the "tons of people" she saw outside the committee room were part of a demonstration.
But an aide set her straight, explaining how "lobbyists pay the homeless + others to hold their place so they can get in 1st."
"Apparently this is a normal practice, and people don't bat an eye," the congresswoman wrote in a second post.
"The first few people in line are guaranteed a seat in a given hearing," she added. "This was the hearing for marijuana banking laws. Lobbyists and those who can afford it pay people to hold their spot so they get in 1st."
CNN reported on the paid place-holding phenomenon back in 2009, noting that line-standers could earn $11 to $35 per hour.
That said, these people are being paid for standing in line and at a pay rate much higher than minimum wage.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-says-apos-091018328.html
On Wednesday, the freshman lawmaker highlighted the way in which lobbyists and others who can afford it pay people including some who are homeless to wait in line for them outside committee hearings.
"Shock doesn't begin to cover it," tweeted Ocasio-Cortez.
Initially, she wrote, she believed the "tons of people" she saw outside the committee room were part of a demonstration.
But an aide set her straight, explaining how "lobbyists pay the homeless + others to hold their place so they can get in 1st."
"Apparently this is a normal practice, and people don't bat an eye," the congresswoman wrote in a second post.
"The first few people in line are guaranteed a seat in a given hearing," she added. "This was the hearing for marijuana banking laws. Lobbyists and those who can afford it pay people to hold their spot so they get in 1st."
CNN reported on the paid place-holding phenomenon back in 2009, noting that line-standers could earn $11 to $35 per hour.