Chapter 8

From figure 8.1 in the text, select one of the interest groups and do some research on their issues and beliefs. What did you learn? What did you find interesting? Do you agree/ disagree with their positions on issues? Why?

Transportation workers union of America they had to fight and even had strikes to get the best for their employees and are still fighting for them. They had strikes and sit-ins against powerful transit companies until the robber barons realized the union had gained its own power and was there to stay. They stood up for their employees and even against discrimination based on race, job title and ethnicity back that long time ago and believe in the best for their people and still today is trying to keep what all they wanted from the start to come true. I agree if there was not groups standing up for the hard working people then we would not get paid right, have no benefits, and took advantage of.

Find an interest group with which you associate (positively). What is the name of the group and what do you find persuasive about their position on issues?

PETA they stand up for the way animals are treated and try to protect them. They have good intentions for the animals in many ways and use the media to get their point across.

Do interest groups have enough/ too much/ the right amount of power in the political system? Most believe it’s a fine-line balance between freedom of speech for the groups and keeping unfair persuasion out of government. Where is that line and when is it crossed?

I think it all depends on the interest group in question. Some of them have more power in the political system than others and I do think there is a fine-line and some groups will push and take it too far and others get stop before they get that far. It all depends on what the group is for to where and when that line is crossed.