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Interest Groups and PACs. Interest Groups. Support candidates who favor their ideas with money, commercials, advertisements Ex: Obabma says he likes kittens than the Kitten Lovers group would pay for a commercial of Obama hugging kittens
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Interest Groups • Support candidates who favor their ideas with money, commercials, advertisements • Ex: Obabma says he likes kittens than the Kitten Lovers group would pay for a commercial of Obama hugging kittens • Try to influence government officials to support certain policies • Bribes ,deals, shaaaadyyyyy ;) • Are only concerned with a few specific issues or problems • Help bridge the gap between citizens and the government
Interest Groups • Leaders • Leaders are called lobbyists • Keep members informed of group activities in order to unify • Act as speakers in DC and work to improve image • Members: • Promote individual self-interest • Promotes individual beliefs and values • Social functions – gather with people of similar beliefs
Interest Groups • Many different types: • Business (NAM) and Labor (AFL-CIO) Groups: want policies that will strengthen economy (taxes, unemployment, inflation, housing) • Agricultural (NFU): represents American farmers • Professional (AMA or ABA) – focus on supporting those in their profession • Environmental, Public Interest, and many more • MADD • PETA
Political Action Committee (PAC) • Organization established by businesses, labor unions, and other interest groups in the U.S. to gather financial contributions to political campaigns • Why create a PAC? • can legally donate more as a group than as an individual!! • Over 4000 registered PACs
Roles of PACs • Positive: • Increase political involvement of corporations and citizens • Increase campaign funds of candidates • Helps groups get heard • Negative: • Limits the voice of the individual • Places too much importance in money
Compare and Contrast Political Parties Both Interest Groups 3-5 examples 3-5 examples 3-5 examples
Answers: • Political Parties (Differences) • Nominate candidates • Two major political parties & minor parties • Support many different ideas • Broad-based views • Interest Groups (Differences) • Support candidates • 1,000 of interest groups • Support one idea • Narrow-based views
Similarities Helps candidates get elected Donate money to campaigns Gets people involved in the political process
Create Your Own Interest Group Create a pamphlet to share information about your interest group. • Pick a topic that is important to you! • Create a name for your group • Write a mission statement that tells me what your group stands for and what it’s goals are. • Give 3 facts that explain why your topic is an issue that needs to be addressed. • Give 2-3 ways that the government can address or fix your issue. • Include 2-3 pictures that show what your group represents • BE CREATIVE!!!!!