Why is there a need for lobbyists?

I have a hard time figuring why the need for lobbyists in government at local, state or federal level. I thought in a democracy the people vote and decide what type of government they want, and that their representatives just carry out the wishes of us voters.

What positives do lobbyists bring to the government? My view of lobbyists is that they work for large organizations (insurance and pharmaceutical companies, teachers unions) and just hang around government officials and spend money to influence votes toward the desires of their clients (corporations, unions, etc.).

On surface, this seems illegal and goes against free enterprise. Can someone explain what positives a lobbyist brings to democracy? They should be banned, and the companies that employ them punished harshly.

It is common knowledge that health insurance reform is heavily influenced by insurance companies' lobbyists, education reform hampered by lobbyists for teachers unions. Does anyone see the high costs of education and health care insurance and the strong resistance to change and lobbyists?

Robert Melbye

Lisle