What Is A Special Interest Group?

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) may be good or may be bad.

That, of course, would depend upon a particular SIG promoting what you believe in and support, or (more coarsely) your agenda—or not.

According to Wikipedia: "An interest group (also advocacy group, lobby group, pressure group or special interest group) is an organization that seeks to influence political decisions."

And from Brittanica Concise Encyclopedia: "Any association of individuals or organizations, usually formally organized, that, on the basis of one or more shared concerns, attempts to influence public policy in its favour."

The question, then, is this:

Are not both branches of Congress Special Interest Groups?

Did not Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, on Dec 19, 2009, admit to such things as: "You will find a number of states are treated differently than other states. That's what legislation is all about. It's compromise."

To be clear, Reid, in closed sessions, offered Senators from a few states (who were not going to vote for the Senate’s version of healthcare reform) additional benefits, tacked on to the already massive bill, in order to secure their votes and reach that high and mighty number 60.

Would the actions of Senator Reid not qualify as "special interest?"

Would not the billions and billions of dollars of earmarks added on to various pieces of legislation that have passed through Congress and the White House (from both parties) be considered as the work of a SIG, or even a group of SIGs working together?

Granted, certain (probably many) pieces of pork may have been the work of an outside SIG (i.e., association SIG, labor union SIG, business SIG, etc.) over the years, but the work done on Capitol Hill with healthcare reform, was really the work of the Congressional SIG.

Thus, when politicians (or anyone for that matter) complain about SIGs and the influence they may wield upon the political and legislative process, and how it may threaten our Freedom and Liberty, it seems that Main Street USA only has to look (if that were literally possible) at what goes on "behind closed doors" to find the truth.

Food For Thought.

Over For Now.

Main Street One