This post applies more to AP Government than AP World History, but anybody in either class can respond to it.
As if the health care reform issue weren't complicated enough for the average American, consider the role special interest groups play in framing the national debate. This situation is not unique; special interest groups are a serious force to be reckoned with in the American political system.
Click here to read an article that does an excellent job describing why the various special interest groups care so much about this issue and what they're doing to ensure their groups' concerns are protected in any health care reform legislation. Then respond to one or more of the following questions:
Why DO the special interest groups described care so much about this issue that they're willing to spend huge sums of money to impact health care reform legislation?
In your opinion, are the activities of special interest groups such as those described in this article a more positive or negative force in American politics? Explain why.
As a citizen, why might it be important to know what groups are sponsoring some of the ads on health care reform?
What does Mary Matalin mean when she says in the article, "They're stakeholders when they're with you, and they're interest groups when they're against you"?
1 comment:
In my opinion, the involvement of special interest groups in American politics has a more negative effect than a positive one. As more people and bodies become involved in legislation, opinions on the subject matter at hand begin to grow, especially as everyone seeks some kind of benefit. Among the mass of demands, I think the original essence of the issue becomes lost. I also think it becomes harder to compromise if everyone is looking for something different, thus taking more time for the parties involved to reach a final decision. Also, if a special interest group has a great influence in American politics, the government may begin to cater more toward their needs and wants than to those of the American people.
When Mary Matalin mentioned that these groups are “stakeholders” when they are representing your opinions but “interest groups” when they’re promoting ideas against you, I think she really outlined the fickleness of the loyalty interest groups receive (as a whole). When an interest group influences legislation in a way we approve of, we say that interest groups are a positive force. In reality, we appreciate their efforts because they’re securing benefits for you, thus they are stakeholders. However, when an interest group influences a decision in a way we don’t like, we say that interest groups are a negative force in politics. We then label them with their literal name (special interest groups). So, sometimes we view interest groups as positive influences and other times we see them as a negative influence. And while interest groups may be powerful forces in American politics, it’s up to the government to remember its duty to the people as a whole, not just the people who can return the favor.
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