Are these groups good for the legislative process?

 What is a problem with this school that you would like to see changed?  Think of a plan of action that would bring about a change in this situation.  What’s the point?...those that mobilize as groups often have greater success than those that act alone!

 Private organizations that try to persuade public officials to respond to shared attitudes of its members  They attempt to influence the making and content of public policies (laws)  Examples??  NRA, AARP, NEA, NOW

 Activists which bring group pressure to bear on legislators and the legislative process  Testify before legislative committees  Apply “grass roots” pressure by printing ratings of Congress members  Provide “gifts” to legislators

 Political Action Committees (PACs)  This is the political arm of the interest groups  They seek to influence elections of Congressional members who share their views – HOW?  AOPA PAC financing Congress members and committees

 Can stimulate interest in public affairs  These groups provide a vehicle for political participation  Allows people to be represented based on issues instead of where they live  Lobbyists and others provide specialized information to the government

 Group views may not always be in the best interest of ALL Americans  The better financed groups have advantage in gaining access to elected officials  Views are often of the leadership of the group NOT individual members  It can be hard to tell who is in the group

 a/action/yt/watch?videoId=CHiicN0Kg10 a/action/yt/watch?videoId=CHiicN0Kg10  As you watch this video, write down the rules, actions and/or activities that you think would appear in the playbook.