Warm-up: Dec. 19 Take out packet from yesterday and read section: V.) Affirmative Action After reading: judge which of the following pieces of information are Arguments FOR and AGAINST Affirmative Action and record them in the appropriate part of the table -Affirmative actions suggests that minorities deserve help only because of their race and not because of their accomplishments -More opportunities given to minorities in the workplace -People with the same education background as minorities are denied because of race -People with the same skills as minorities are denied a job because of race -People have been discriminated against in the past have a way to succeed -Affirmative action leads to quotas (requirements for certain numbers of minorities to be hired or accepted) which is unfair to non minorities -More opportunities given to minorities in university and college admission process

Interests Groups, Political Action Committees (PACS) and Congress

1. The Interest Group Definition: a group whose members hold common political beliefs and work to influence government officials (like in the legislature and executive), policies and practices.

2. Three Functions of the Interest Group 1.) Bring issues and concerns to the attention of the public, lawmakers and policymakers 2.) Represent the interests and concerns of specific groups 3.) Support political candidates (usually incumbents) who favor their interests and goals. *Incumbent: a person currently holding an office; "the incumbent president“ (Ex. during the 2012 Election, President Obama was the Incumbent)

3. What is lobbying? Lobbying: the effort to influence legislation or other government decisions through personal persuasion

4. Ways Lobbyists Are Involved in the Legislative Process 1.) Help draft new legislation 2.) Provide expert testimony when testifying before congressional committees 3.) Meet with government officials 4.) Help win over votes on a bill 5.) Arouse public opinion 6.) provide “perks” and offer financial support to legislators through campaign contributions

5. What are PACs and Super PACs? Definition-PACs: A committee formed by business, labor, or other special-interest groups to raise money and make contributions to the campaigns of political candidates whom they support. Candidates supported are typically incumbents Super PAC-may not make contributions to candidate campaigns or parties, but may engage in unlimited political spending independently of the campaigns. Also unlike traditional PACs, they can raise funds from individuals, corporations, unions and other groups, without any legal limit on donation size

Interest Group and PACs and the Election of 2012

Advantages and Disadvantages DisadvantagesAdvantages PAC money is a bribeInterest groups act as “watchdogs” and will protest harmful government actions PACs have too much power over Congress Interest groups provide representation for people in terms of their social and economic interest Competition among interest groups can cripple efforts to change government policies Can provide a balance because no single viewpoint can become “all powerful” PACSs are difficult to regulate (control)