This document provides notes from a class discussing special interest groups (SIGs) and political spending. It includes: 1) A definition of SIGs as groups promoting specific issues or views, with most being business-related. It also outlines some of their powers like expertise and ability to raise funds. 2) An explanation of how Political Action Committees (PACs) allow SIGs to donate directly to politicians within regulated limits. 3) Details about how non-profit groups (527s) can raise and spend unlimited funds on issues as long as they don't coordinate with campaigns. 4) Discussion prompts asking students to debate whether SIG spending should be regulated or free speech.

1. Good Day! DRAW A LINE SEPARATING TODAY & YESTERDAY 1) Write: Date: 10/08/09 , Topic: Special Interest Groups 2) On the next line, write “ Opener #26 ” and then: 1) Plot your mood, reflect in 1 sent . 2) Respond to the opener by writing at least 2 sentences about : Your opinions/thoughts OR/AND Questions sparked by the clip OR/AND Summary of the clip OR/AND Other things going on in the news. Announcements: None Intro Music: Untitled

2. Agenda 1) Study Guide Test 2 1) Special Interest + Parties Two Weeks from Now: Mock Election What you will be able to do: 1) Are special interest groups bad for democracy? Reminder 1) No HW this week, Test 2 on Friday

3. Participation ( 10 points a week ) Negative Mark: Minus 2 Points Each 0 Check: 6 Points 1 Check: 7 Points 2 Checks: 8 Points 3 Checks: 9 Points 4 Checks: 10 Points 5 Checks: 11 Points (+1 EC) 6 Checks: 12 Points (+2 EC) 7 Checks: 13 Points (+3 EC) 8 Checks: 14 Points (+4 EC)

4. Notes #26a , Title: “ SIG Notes ” 1) Special Interest Groups (SIG) : Any group/faction of ppl promoting an issue/view Most numerous are business SIGs . 2) Powers of SIGS : a) Expertise on their topic is most persuasive b) More free to raise/spend/donate money c) Focus one 1 issue d) More free to do bad things (voters don’t punish) 3) Political Action Committee (PAC) : Any SIG that donates money directly to candidates must form a committee in the SIG that is fed. regulated . 4) Non-Profit Organization (527) : Any SIG can raise/spend unregulated money to attack a candidate (or issue) under policy speech as long as it doesn’t support/coordinate with campaigns

5. Notes #26a , Title: “ SIG Notes ” 1) Special Interest Groups (SIG) : Any group/faction of ppl promoting an issue/view Most numerous are business SIGs . 2) Powers of SIGs : a) Expertise on their topic is most persuasive b) More free to raise/spend/donate money c) Focus one 1 issue d) More free to do bad things (voters don’t punish)

6. SIG MATH: If Milk Farming SIG convinced Congress to pass $1 tax , you lose $1 to help milk farms 150 mil tax payers (50% of US) SIG gets $150 million . How hard will you fight to not loose $1? How hard will SIG fight to gain $150 million? PACs can give MAX $5000 to each member of Congress, that’s $2.7 million total, still a profit of $147.3 million .

7. Work #26a , “ Interest Group Debate ” 1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write which you choose and explain why . 2) Then write down what your partner thinks ( include their name at the end ). 1 2 3 4 5 CON: SIGs 1) Everyone has the right to pool their power and create a counter SIG 2) SIG often ask for things that they really need gov help with, and that may benefit everyone like farm help PRO: Ban SIGs 1) SIGs place selfish interest over the community’s interests 2) SIG lead to govt spending that waste tax payer money. Unfair to work hard to earn money to just hand over to SIGs.

8. 3) Political Action Committee (PAC) : Any SIG that donates money directly to candidates must form a committee in the SIG that is fed. regulated . 4) Non-Profit Organization (527) : Any SIG can raise/spend unregulated money to attack a candidate (or issue) under policy speech as long as it doesn’t support/coordinate with campaigns

11. Both activities are protected under 1 st A, just some more than others. Club (sig) PAC (regulated) Candidates 527 (unregulated) Spend On Their Own

12. Work #26b , “ 527 Debate ” 1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write which you choose and explain why . 2) Then write down what your partner thinks ( include their name at the end ). 1 2 3 4 5 CON: SIG camp spending should NOT be regulated 1) It’s in the better interest to make sure the free speech means free speech, even if unpopula 2) Every person/group has the right to be political active (w money) PRO: SIG camp. spending should be regulated 1) It’s in the better interest of the country to make sure voters aren’t being fooled 2) Not being regulated means more pol activity is happening on the fringes

13. No HW this week: Test 2 on Friday