The point that disgusts many people Is that more often hen not money overpowers the right decision; that Is why Big Business Is a problem. The richer the companies and organizations, the better chance they have to persuade the government officials. In the United States alone there are thousands of special Interest groups working for their own cause. Some of the causes they are working for are: business, banking, labor, environment, women, seniors, the economy, and farming just to name a few. Some groups or businesses which partake in lobbying are: N. O. W. , Green Peace, FALL- CIO, Teamsters, Sierra Club, N. R. A. Tobacco industry and the UCLA. These groups often work at the national, state, and local levels attempting to influence government policy. Many groups have permanent offices In Washington DC. The primary goals of these groups are the passing, blocking, or amending legislation to achieve a favorable and Senate sub-committees which are the key places where legislation is considered. The groups often speak in front of Committee hearings to put their views on the record. One of the most well known special interest group is the National Rifle Association. This group has done tireless work in Washington trying to stop Gun
Control bills from passing in Congress. The worst blow that happened to the NORA was the passing of the Brady Bill and the Assault Rifle Ban. The NORA believes this is an infringement on the constitutional rights of all Americans. Recently after a huge lobby in Instigation, the NORA forced the Senate to have another vote on the Assault Rifle ban. Rhea way the NORA forces the senate is as followed: the NORA gets together with some senators that they know want to repeal the ban. The NORA gives money to the senators their campaigns, etc. The senators then persuade other senators and the NORA has them n their side as well.
When the NORA captures enough senators, it forces Congress to bring it to the floor and debate about the issue. In this case, the NORA failed. However, the NORA will continue to support the senators that are a help to the cause and will eventually force another vote in Congress. This happens daily in Washington. All segments of business and industry have lobbyists. It seems that private citizens are the only group on their own. Rhea lumber and paper industry is an important business to many people. They too lobby in Washington to ensure that no restrictions are put on their Jobs.
There is group fighting against the lumber industry and that is the environmentalists. The Greens’ feel that the loggers should not be allowed to cut down as many trees as they do. These two groups confer with senators at the state and national level trying to persuade them to their side. However, the loggers’ unions Join the big companies to protect their Jobs. This is a very steep obstacle for the ‘Tree Huggers’ to overcome. Rhea lumber industry wins due to the money they have at their disposal. Political Action Committees are other groups which help in the persuasion of Congressional people.
Pace’s are organizations established by private groups to support a candidate for public office. ‘In 1971 Pace’s became increasingly popular because the on the use of corporate money to set up Pace’s was lifted'(Growlers ‘PACE’). Pace’s contribute enormous amounts of money into the campaigns for political candidates. Amounts are increasing every year and it is a multi- million dollar business. Single Issue politics is also a problem. This form of politics is quite popular these days, it is when individuals or groups support or reject a candidate based on one view of a certain issue. E types of issues include abortion and gun control to name two. It is now a lot easier for the Special Interest Groups to persuade the lawmakers. Rhea spread of direct primaries, television-based campaigning, and the decline of the traditional political party strengths has left many legislatures vulnerable to special since they can be heard by more people. This access to mass Medici also makes them more appealing to the candidates. Rhea amount of money spent through lobbying is outrageous. ‘In the first half of 1996 lobby’s spent at least $400 million dollars to influence the federal government’ Lobbyists’).
One of the largest spenders being Phillip Morris which has spent an estimated $1 1. 3 million dollars in the first half'(lobbyists’). This exorbitant amount of money being spent by one of the largest tobacco companies can be attributed to the governments recent threats made against the industry. Philip Morris is obviously trying to coheres anyone into believing in their case. Gig Business seems to have dramatically impacted the political system of this country. The United States is a country of equality and freedom of speech. These lobbying groups hurt the integrity of what this country is all about.
We think of the United States as a country ruled by a democracy. The lobbying groups view this country as their country, they tell the legislatures to do something hand them a check the receiver Nil do what the group wants, not what the people want. We do not elect Congress people to be puppets for the rich businesses and groups who are self-centered and care about themselves. We elect them to do what is best for the public. Believe there has to be a limit with what the lobbies can do financially. I know there has been attempts made to control the groups but, it is not enough. The United society.
