NationStates Jolt Archive

I see all this talk of 'corporations buying politicians' - should we just end that problem by getting rid of special interest groups?

No! Interest groups are important. They bring their own point of view out when legislation is being considered. They often have important expertise on matters, which means that their points of view are helpful. Otherwise the government should employ them (or at least should). They force and help the legislature to consider alternative views on matters and hopefully help achieve a balanced and well-thought-out solution.

Bribery and corruption are of course things that ought to be vigorously watched out for, but it can be dealt in other ways.

the only way it would be fair in the US would be to ban the unions and special interest groups from donating money to political party's

Yeah, I know. I sorta just posted this thread out of frustration of having two 'corporate candidates'

the only way it would be fair in the US would be to ban the unions and special interest groups from donating money to political party's

This I will agree with.

what differentiates political parties from large institutionalised interest groups?

"what differentiates political parties from large institutionalised interest groups?"

Really not much at all, but I guess if you are going to get technical, all the political parties have the scapegoat of the moderates inside thier own respective parties, even though they will only every once in a great while throw them a bone, I agree with you there, political parties tend to cater to each of thier own extremists. Which is very sad considering they all play with everyone elses freedoms purely out of politics in place of 'good' intentions.