Interest Group

Interest Groups University of Hawaii West Oahu Haijuan Hanger 1/27/13 Well I have to say that this is a very old video nearly twenty five years old, although the information was well presented. The examples with the AARP and the NRA was good as to explain the difference between the broad and narrow along with the quick explanation of a single issue groups. It did not leave me with any question as to the different types of groups. It could have used a few more examples of interest groups of both broad and narrow to give a different comparison on real situation that actually took place.Additionally, How lobbyist take action in getting their issues to the three different branches of government. Such as reports on how much a single type of interest group faired with issues as a result of their lobbying and putting pressure on different congressmen as well as the interest groups personal gains and benefits as a result on issues that they supported. No indication was given as the how much money was spent nor the slightest indication of what congressmen benefited if any. This makes me wonder if there are discloser laws that should be in place to prevent any wrong doing. Not to say that there was.The video, as old as it is provided very basic definition and really could have used a more current video with recent and current related issues of today. I felt more trusting with the example of the broad type Interest Group of the AARP then I did with the narrow Interest group of the NRA. I felt that the AARP was actually working not just for the members best interest but, for the elderly people in general across the nation and their families real issues. When compared to the NRA, The organization of the AARP from what I understood from the video didn't use scare tactics in getting its members active and campaign for certain causes.I can see how the AARP is one of the largest organization in the country and that is because it is built a reputation for working hard on issues that affect not only a very large community of elderly people but, It will most definitely effect every American in the nation at one time or another. Social Security insurance has been promised to Americans sense the Roosevelt era that is nearly 80 years. It becomes a very touchy subject when so many elderly Americans depend on Social Security for survival. AARP continues as well to fight issues of Medicare coverage and discounts on prescription medicine.They have a large member support community that it can negotiate with many companies and organization on rates of services that can potentially bring a large group of consumers. While viewing the video one very interesting point really made me stop and think and collect my thoughts. This was when Pamela Sederholm was providing an over view of how interest groups work lobbyist work with the different branches of government. I felt that she had provided a very good overview as to how these interest groups operate in obtaining their g oals while working with the government. Just as if it came straight out of a text book.I felt that she was very young and very naive in the way she portrayed the system, I didn't feel that she had the experience for her position, although it did appear that she was well educated about the system. I may have felt more comfortable if it had been a person a little bit more mature. This was not what the video was about but, someone at the level she was at must have many years of experience . As far as the NRA and Mr. Paul Blackman interview in this video did not make me fell comfortable either. I am not a member of the NRA but, I do believe in the 2nd Amendment of the bill of rights that we Americans have the right to bare arms.I also have common sense when it comes to gun control. It is possible to have gun control and still retain the 2nd Amendment. I think that if the NRA was not so negative and using scare tactics in making people believe that every time we talk about gun control. i n its campaigning against any type of gun control it could work in a positive way in that could result in a safer nation and insuring that the 2nd Amendment is never taken away. We need to focus on the Types of guns that and individual can own for home protection and hunting. Really does one need an AK47 or an AR15 assault rifle to kill a deer or to protect ones home.Protect it from whom? Why is it called assault rifle and not a protection rifle. I wonder how is it that the NRA with less than half of the members than say the NRA, How can they be so powerful in congress. Do they represent gun manufactures or is it that they spend more money in fewer places. As narrated in the video that when the NRA supports a candidate through political action committees for an office they most generally win that office. I didn't quit understand the roll that political action committees play in the election of candidates or they are objective if it is not the objective of the interest group.This mak es me wonder why. Is it money or political connection. I do believe that The NRA works hard and long on issues that are not necessary the best interest for the nation and only what is best for its organization and its members. I can now understand more when it comes to many political issues how so many are killed by tying the up in law suits and clouding the issues in a bill and or for personal gain for its members. Another part of the video mentioned that Lobbyist are now referred to as professionals. They should be nothing but professionals so what where they referred to as before that.I do believe that there are a lot of good professionals that actively play a part in getting bills past and working hard for the country. As narrated in the video that there are a lot of professional institutions in that have experts in many different field that support the legislative and the executive branches of government. We need these professionals as I believe that it is totally ignorant to t hink that someone holding political office could be an expert on every issue that is introduced as a bill or police. I believe the it is always challenged by the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. References