Janise Miescke 3/27/2017 Government 2306 Interest Groups Interest groups have become the vocal point for citizens.
It is a organized way for groups of people to agree on an issue or a value and pursue a motive. Over the years some interest groups have grown like a snowball going down a mountain. Much like that snowball a lot of dirt and foreign objects have grown with it. Some of these large interest groups have dominated the political system by feeding off wining and dining politicians into submission. These interest groups are fine tuned into a charming manipulation that’s wrapped up in a gold bow. They use lobbyists whose jobs are to be “salespeople (that are) hired to persuade decision-makers in the Legislature and in the agencies of the
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executive branch.”(Ramsey) Granted they have done a lot of good and have in a lot of ways kept our government in sync with the public. 1 As it stands “lobbyists don’t have to report the names of the legislators they are entertaining unless the expenditures go over $114 per day.” (Ramsey) If they don’t go over that amount no discloser must be given. These interest groups have a loophole though if they have “ multiple lobbyists (that can) can split the tab, and as long as no single lobbyist spends more than $114 on a particular lawmaker, the freeloader’s name doesn’t go in the reports.” (Ramsey)As it’s known interest groups are funded by us, the people. We are trusting these salesmen to make the right decisions in what they trying to accomplish with these representatives, senators, and other state employees. Without discloser, we have absolutely no idea what was stated or even accomplished with the ‘butter up’ that we, the people provided. Is it logical to put money into something that you believe in even if you don’t know if they have the same goals as you do? Of course, not! If these interest groups are supposed to be the ones giving millions of people a voice shouldn’t we know what our voice is saying? Logically speaking we should. Unfortunately though, our government has let us down many times. These disappointments often happen because our true voices just wasn’t loud enough. 2 Or we, the people were poorly informed of what is really happening. The Spanish- American war of 1898 was proof of this. In order to get a better idea of what our interest groups are saying there should be tougher restrictions and oversight over interest groups. Not only to have better insight but also to allow smaller, more intricate, interest groups a better chance at getting the ear of our government officials. It is said that there are very strict limits on how much money that we, the people, can give to campaigns.
These limitations hinder smaller, less funded, campaigners from amplifying their voices for ‘the people in the back’ to hear. That means that those who are also running in the campaign who are better funded have a huge advantage. How does that help the people? It doesn’t. Most of the time politicians get a large portion of their money from interest groups whom have a lot of money. With money comes power and it has been proven time and time again that large interest groups have a Teddy Roosevelt approach with their ‘speak softly and carry a big stick’; except instead of a stick they carry money. In a lot of ways its black mail to those who are running. If they don’t have the views that the interest group wants, then the interest group can pull their funding and the politician will have a bigger chance of losing the campaign. Large interest groups in a way dominate the political scene. That leave smaller interest groups in the dust being unseen and unheard. It almost defeats the purpose of giving the everyday person a voice. If there were more strict regulations of interest groups it would level the playing grounds for people to get the voice they need. With better regulations, money, would become not as valuable as it is to the system, and voices would be better heard. Large interest groups such as “Texas right to life whom spent $1,461,042 last year and with that passed …show more content…
6 bills. This example shows that money does speak loudly. In conclusion, interest groups have become a huge part of our government.
These interest groups were created for the reason to help politicians become more in tuned with the people. In many ways interest groups, have been very successful in doing that but in many ways, they have allowed self-motivated manipulators a gateway to government sessions while making it seem that are helping Texans. This trend is becoming more apparent and is drowning the people’s voices. This reason has made it become a need to begin putting tougher restrictions on these interest groups to help define the people true
voices. 1.) Ramsey, Ross. "Analysis: 3 When a Disclosure Report Doesn't Do Much Disclosing." 4 The Texas Tribune. N.p., 16 Mar. 2015. Web. 28 Mar. 2017. 2.)"LEGISLATION." 4 TSRA PAC LEGISLATION Comments. 5 N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2017. 3.)"Show Me." Show Me - FollowTheMoney.org. 5 N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2017. 4.)"Texas Right to Life." Texas Right to Life. 4 N.p., 24 Mar. 2017. Web. 28 Mar. 2017.
It may become necessary to limit people’s rights, and there are several reasons why it is okay to do so. The things that make it appropriate to limit someone’s rights include section 1 of the Charter, The Notwithstanding Clause, and also the Oakes Test. Section 1 of the Charter essentially gives permission to the government to limit rights when clearly necessary, the Notwithstanding Clause basically allows the government to override a right or freedom when necessary, and the Oakes Test assures that rights are not limited to an unconstitutional extent. With these stipulations in place, there should be no problem when it comes to limiting a person’s rights and freedoms, under the Charter.
Essentially, interest groups use many different tactics to accomplish their central goals but this paper will detail 2 of them. The first being lobbying, which is the act of persuading businesses as well as government leaders to help a specific organization by changing laws or creating events in favor of that group. Interest groups use this technique by hiring someone to represent them and advocate their cause to on the behalf of the entire group. These hired representatives usually have more than enough experience within the political field and are able to persuade connections within the government for help with their concerns. This method gets a lot of criticism because although lobbyist offer their input to government officials on pending laws, they only look at what is favorable for their cause. When trying to make a difference you have to not only reflect on your argument but on the side affects of that argument as
Hamilton provides an inside look at how congress really works and clears up popular misconception that make members of congress look like wasteful bickering crooks that support gridlock and are only concerned with the needs of interest groups and lobbyists. Hamilton argues that Congress has changed for the better throughout the years and that they are held at higher standards than they were before. Hamilton states that Congress is not only working at keeping the public happy but that have recently become faced with a lot more issues than before, they are not only more issues but more complicated and technical that are very high risk policies that take a long time to produce a decision (Hamilton, 1988, 65). Hamilton states that Congress is a system in which the viewpoints of everyone are taken into account and make sure there is a consensus when it comes to defining decisions. Even though many of us acknowledge that lobbyist and special interest groups play an essential role in the law making party, Congress is making an effort to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard. Congress is making sure that the balance of power is distributed properly. In recent years, there has been a decline in mega-lobbies and interest groups so that not only the wealthy powerful get their voice heard, but the everyday american people get an opinion in things that affect them as well. In Gary Lee’s article, The NRA Has Lost some Firepower, we can see that interest groups are beginning to have less of an influence on larger political decisions (Hamilton, 1988, 65). For example, the National Rifle Association’s defeat in the battle over the “Brady bill” and their war towards trying to revamp Medicaid was a great loss for lobbyists and
Interest groups, lobbyists, large corporations, and PACs try to influence the congressional committees' bills so they can have a say in the legislative process. When an interest group hears about a bill that is being debated on in a committee, they try to influence a members vote and they try to get a part of the bill changed. For example, a lobbyist came to me on a bill I proposed on making health care plans have no minimum requirement on benefits the company gives to its patients. He told me about how he did not get the right treatments and tests done on diseases he has and now is suffering badly from them. It was because the health plan did not have to give him anything extra. He changed my mind on the bill, and I changed the bill to setting a minimum standard on benefits given to patients.
. Factions can be present in many different settings in society. They can be a passion for different opinions on religions, government, or war. Madison claims that "the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property. Those who hold and those who are without property have ever been formed distinct interests in society." The modern government includes factions as necessary operations, and the regulation of these interest groups form the foremost assignment of legislation.
xiii). Since the 1960s, when Lowi authored this text because he believed we were in a state of political crisis, interest groups have grown exponentially. This is due to growth in broad economic developments and growth and specific interests of citizens willing to take an active role in political processes. Interest group ideology has thrived on inadequate planning and overextension. Effective government requires formalities and moral legitimacy. Lowi argues that as long as well-moneyed interests do not grow to exercise an unjustly disproportionate amount of political capitol, interest groups should be welcomed in American politics as a means by which the average citizen can enjoy a greater amount of political efficacy. Lowi points out that nearly every area of government activity currently bears little relevance to the actual conditions they were designed for, and he calls for a return to older government that had consequences and held us responsible for consequences of political decisions because the current system does nothing to aid those who need government support the most, those one welfare and involved in those programs. Instead it is a power-grabbing money pool open for interest groups to take a hold of it,
Typically, when making Texas laws, government officials discount the political beliefs of its constituents; partly due to time constraints. Stretches in committee debates will allow the voice of Texans, that are currently being overlooked, the adequate attention that is necessary to introduce bills. Therefore, I support an increase in Texas Legislature’s regular sessions; it gives leaders more time to fully represent their constituents.
Interest groups are an interesting part of politics that usually gets overlooked. The term interest group is self-explanatory but the definition can be a bit more politically thorough: An organized group that tries to influence the government to adopt certain interests, policies, or measures also called pressure group. Interest group refers to virtually any voluntary association that seeks to publicly promote and create advantages for its cause. America is a melting-pot of races, religions, languages, cultures, beliefs, and ideas, yet it only
In discussing the problems surrounding the issue of factionalism in American society, James Madison concluded in Federalist #10, "The inference to which we are brought is that the causes of cannot be removed and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its effects." (Federalist Papers 1999, 75) In many ways, the nature of American politics has revolved around this question since our country's birth. What is the relationship between parties and government? Should the party serve as an intermediary between the populace and government, and how should a government respond to disparate ideas espoused by the factions inherent to a free society. This paper will discuss the political evolution that has revolved around this question, examining different "regimes" and how they attempted to reconcile the relationship between power and the corresponding role of the people. Beginning with the Federalists themselves, we will trace this evolution until we reach the contemporary period, where we find a political climate described as "interest-group liberalism." Eventually this paper will seek to determine which has been the most beneficial, and which is ultimately preferable.
We elect politicians on the basis on the issues by which they stand, and these issues are either held up or weakened by the numerous interest groups that exist today. Interest groups target both major and minor issues, using all of their resources to sponsor or overpower the groups’ concern. Interest groups are composed of a limited range of the body of voters who have a great stake in the issues their group support. They make evident the issues their group supports. Their resources are used in an attempt to make their issue public policy. Interest groups are persistent; they do not give up until they succeed. They lobby congress, take legal action, and attempt to influence election results in order to benefit their cause. ”The AARP monitors local and national legislation of interest to its members.”1 The AARP, an example of a non-PAC interest group, focus their efforts to electioneering and media. They influence the elections through their voter guides, election forums and the large senior voting population. Through television, radio, and periodicals the AARP is able to achieve many of their goals to aid retired persons.
These pluralistic interest groups are free to operate and lobby in the political arena, fighting against the majority and other competing factions for voice in Congress. With the influence of multiple factions operating throughout the political system, a balance of power is created (Kernell 2000, 429). This is much like the international theory of sovereign states balancing each other’s power to create a political system that focuses on stability, yet is always in a constant flux of power. With this in mind, special interest groups are constantly contending for power by raising money, campaigning, and lobbying in Congress. When a special interest group is threatened by a competing policy, the group will organize efforts to balance, or transcend the power of the competing group.
In today’s politics, interest groups play a large role in the government system. An interest Group is defined as 'an organized body of individuals who try to influence public policy.' This system is designed so that interest groups would be an instrument of public influence on politics to create changes, but would not threaten the government much. These organizations are either made up of people who represent a different organization or people who represent themselves. Interest groups represent the citizens’ interests and views, while expressing their own needs as well. They are the link between people and politics, giving a way for the public to voice their opinions. Members of interest groups use different tactics to basically impose their wants or needs onto the government by lobbying, educating, and campaigning.
The “advocacy explosion” in the United States in the 20th century has been caused by the extreme increase in the number of interest groups in the United States. The general public views the increase and the groups themselves as a cancer that has come to the body of American politics and is spreading. The explosion in the number of interest groups and interest group members and finances has had an effect on the decline of the American political party and partisanship, the effect on democracy and the public interest, and the bias that has come with interest group competition.
Lobbying is an enormous business. A lobbyist is an advocate who seek outs to influence members of the government (like members of Congress) to endorse legislation that would advantage their group. The lobbying occupation is a lawful and essential part of our democratic political procedure that is not extremely well implicit by the broad population. While the majority people think of lobbyists only as paid experts, there are as well a lot of volunteer lobbyists. Anyone who appeals the government or contacts their member of Congress to say an view is functioning as a lobbyist. Lobbying is a synchronized industry and a guarded activity beneath the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that assurances rights to free assembly, speech,and petition. [Briggs, Emily Edson]
This essay explores pressure groups and their role in democracy and society. It also discusses how pressure groups use the media as a communication strategy to influence.