ch 8 blog

chapter 8.

1) Select interest group from figure 8.1 and research it.  What did you learn?  What did you find interesting?  Do you agree/ disagree with their positions on issues? Why?

I choose the NRA because that in an orginization that my family has been involved in for many years.  I found out that the NRA was started in 1871.  It was started because union officers were not happy with the marksmenship of their soldiers.  The mission of the NRA, aside from the right to bear arms, is firearm safety.  For many years the NRA has offered classes for children 12 and up in firearm safety, which I think is very important.  If children are taught to respect weapons from an early age, there might be a lot less accidental shootings.  I told my boys from the time they were 3 or 4, though I had no weapons in my home at that time, that unless they checked it themselves, the gun is loaded.  And that was reinforced at their grandfathers house.  Common sense and respect, teach your children.

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

The group I chose is not an official one, I don't think, it's Military Moms.  I chose this group because I am one.  It's purpose is to put information out for the public and to offer support for other members of military families.

3) Do interest groups have enough/ to much/ the right amount of power in the political system?  Most believe its a fine line balance between freedom of speech for the groups and keeping unfair persuasion out of the government.  Where is that line and when is it crossed?
 
I think most groups have the right amount of power, but it seems that the more money you have, the more power you have, which I think is wrong.  I think money is the fine line.  The groups with more money have a better opportunity of getting information out and getting more lobbyists to push their agenda.