Interest Groups : Chapter 9
This computer lab assignment is an open investigation of
the depth of lobbying efforts and
effects in our nation’s Capitol. Washington
D.C. lobbying is a $1.4 billion industry, with offices that extend well beyond
the confines of “K” street offices.
In your investigation, begin at the “Opensecrets”
website (http://www.opensecrets.org/ )
. As a good investigator, travel to
the various topics at the site, and record your data and findings of just how
much lobbying efforts are influencing our officials.
Be sure to record the following information:
2. Locate one of the interest groups you are interested
in (http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/list.asp
) and record information on its lobbying efforts.
3. Realizing that many of the interest groups keep tabs
on the voting/political records of elected officials (keeping a “Score Card"),
go to http://www.vote-smart.org/index.phtml
to check out how Special Interest Groups rank an elected official of your
choice. Choose an elected official
from the list, and check how he/she is rated by four groups.
What criteria do they use to rate the official?
What might this mean to members of the Special Interest Groups?
4. Record
your overall impressions on lobbyists in our democracy.