Interest+Groups+Webquest


 * Interest Groups Webquest **

**Directions: ** In order to help you learn about the controversies of interest groups and their actions, go to the following links and answer questions. For much of this activity, we will be utilizing the resources of [|www.opensecrets.org] .

**I. Which Industry Supports Which Political Party? **

1. Based on the data in this chart, make a list of comparing the top 5 industries that gave the most to each of the following political parties in the 2008 election cycle. List the amount they donated to that party. //You are encouraged to click on the different industries and read about their background. // 2. 3. 4. 5. || 1. 2. 3. 4. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">5. ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Industries that Supported the **<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">[|Democrats] ** || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Industries that Supported the **<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">[|Republicans] ** ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">1.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">2. Research the [|Health Services/HMO (insurance) industry]. Read the background information about the industry. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">A. Who are the [|top four members of Congress] that received contributions from this industry?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">B. Who are the [|top three contributors] to federal candidates and parties (2008)?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">C. What [|trends] do you observe about this industry’s spending on lobbyists?

**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">II. Lobbying **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">3. What [|trends] do you observe in the number of lobbyists **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">and **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> the amount of money spent on lobbying?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">4. Make a list of the [|top five interest group spenders] so far in 2010—include the amount of money they have spent on lobbying so far.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Top 5 Interest Groups || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Amount of Money Spent (2010) ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">1. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">2. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">3. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">4. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">5. ||  ||

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">5. Describe the function of the interest group that has spent the most money on lobbying thus far in 2010 (you will need to use outside resources)

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">6. Make a list of the [|top three lobbying firms] thus far in 2010 (based on money received for their services). Include how much money they have received thus far.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Top 3 Lobbying Firms || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Amount of Money Received (2010) ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">1. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">2. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">3. ||  ||

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">7. Read this [|article] analyzing and evaluating recent lobbying trends. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">A. Why have health industries been spending more on lobbying in recent months?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">B. Why have energy companies been spending more on lobbying in recent months?

**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">III. The Revolving Door: ** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">8. Explain the meaning of the phrase “ [|revolving door] ”.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">9. Look at the employment history of [|Dean Aguillen], why do you think he was hired by Ogilvy Government Relations to become a lobbyist?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">10. Look at the employment history of [|Harris Wofford]. How does he fit the profile of someone who has utilized the ‘revolving door’?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">11. What are the pros & cons of the “revolving door”? <span style="display: block; height: 84.75pt; left: 0px; margin-left: 234pt; margin-top: 0.55pt; position: absolute; text-align: left; width: 1.5pt; z-index: 251658240;"> **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">PROS of Revolving Door CONS of Revolving Door **

**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">IV. Political Action Committees (PACs): **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">12. Briefly explain the function of [|PACs] ?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">13. Make a list of the [|top five PACS in 2008] —include the amount of money the PAC spent.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Top 5 PACS || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Amount of Money Spent (2008) ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">1. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">2. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">3. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">4. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">5. ||  ||

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">14. What are [|Leadership PACS] ?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;">15. Make a list of the [|top five Leadership PACS in 2008] —include the amount of money the PAC spent.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Top 5 Leadership PACS & Their Affiliate (politician) || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Amount of Money Spent (2008) ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">1. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">2. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">3. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">4. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">5. ||  ||

**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">V. 527 Groups: ** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">1. Describe the [|functions] of 527 groups.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">2. [|Why] are these groups called ‘527s’?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">3. In 2008, in what two [|categories] did 527s spend much of their money? Hypothesize why 527s spend much of their money in these two categories.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">4. Watch this [|video clip].

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">A. How did the ‘McCain-Feingold Law’ help increase the spending on 527s?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">B. What types of ‘things’ can 527s say/advocate?

**__<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Extra Credit - Wiki Post: __**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">Consider both the benefits and detriments that interest groups provide to the US political system. Based on the information you have discovered about interest groups, do you feel that interest groups have an __OVERALL__ positive or negative effect on the USA political system? Use details and examples to support your thesis.