Lobbying is not only normal and understandable, but I’d argue essential to democratic governance. What you (correctly) have an issue with is corruption and undue influence, not lobbying per se.
Most democratic decision-making is fairly boring stuff that involves trying to strike a least-worst balance between the interests of various groups. In order to do that effectively, governments need input from all the stakeholders involved. This includes industry bodies, local community groups, unions, individuals, and any other affected people or groups. Lobbying is that conduit.
Hard disagree. Lobbying is moneys end run around public debate, and public interest. Where conversations happen in public (aside - they can't currently in US, due to the near complete ownership of all media outlets by a few conglomerates) - politicians can be swayed by public opinion. When conversations happen in private, especially post citizens united - money literally talks. There is no evaluation of context beyond electoral consequences. Frequently all too easily manipulated with campaign finance and scare mongering. By conflating the lobbying of corporate institutions, investment firms and wealthy Super PACs with the requests and communications made by citizens and non commercial groups, you serve to disguise the nature of lobbying in the US. Which is explicitly legalised corruption. Cash for votes.
That's not a hard disagree – that's a hard agree with what I said.