02.27.08
Much has been made of Special Interest Groups during this years presidential campaign. If you followed the disjointed logic and inferences made you might very well be cowering in a corner under a blanket afraid these evil nasty Special Interest Groups are coming after you, your children, and any fluffy pets you have. This is crazy talk, empty argument, gobbledegook plain and simple.

The Sierra Club, American Federation of Teachers, American Medical Association, the National Association of Realtors, The Automobile Club of Southern California, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals PETA, the PTA, the Anti-Defamation League ADL, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation GLAAD, Disabled American Veterans DAV, Common Cause, Greenpeace, Nation Rifle Association NRA, the National Audubon Society, National Federation of Independent Business NFIB (representing small and independent businesses), AARP, NOW, League of Women Voters LWV, NAACP, Humane Society, ACLU, American Bar Association, American Cancer Society, American Foundation for the Blind, Mexican American Political Association M.A.P.A., Association of American Universities AAU, Newspaper Association of America NAA, National Restaurant Association (the other NRA), United Auto Workers UAW, National Association of Energy Service Companies NAESCO, American Library Association, National Association of Counties, American Heart Association, National Association of Women Business Owners NAWBO, National Association of School Nurses,National Association of Mortgage Brokers, National Association of Black Accountants, National Association of the Deaf, National Association of Broadcasters, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians NAEMT, National Association of Convenience Stores NACS, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, 3 NACEs (National Association of Corrosion Engineers, National Association of Colleges and Employers, National Association of Catering Executives), American Association of Museums, National Association of Manufacturers, American League of Lobbyists, are all Special Interest Groups. [There are LOTS more; this is fractional, partial list.]

By all means, lets rid our nation of every last one of these banes of society.

Certainly not all Special Interest Groups serve your individual concerns or interests. It's likely that some concern or interest you have is served by any one of the myriad of existing Special Interest Groups. For the most part, Special Interest Groups have hired-gun lobbyists. A portion of a groups' membership fees likely funds lobbyists. Special Interest Groups provide voices for their causes to government entities and representatives. Special Interest Groups also inform their members of legislative matters and changes, which helps members be compliant with new laws and regulations. Special Interest Groups also educate their members about matters, legislation, and politicians up for vote and makes voting recommendations to their member base that will best suit that particular group.

Sure, you could read through reams of legislation and analyze the voting records of each and every elected official on your own. Of course, that would leave little time to do anything else, including having your own Special Interests.

© 2008 Amy Zidell

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