why are interest groups so powerful in the USA? what makes them so powerful?

Answer 1

They contribute money to campains

Answer 2

One reason is that it takes a humongous amount of money to run for president, and the people who give you the money usually want something in return - such as tax breaks for their industry or social organisation, or whatever. Many US politicians feel a strong responsibility towards the people who funded their rise to a position where they could make a serious stab at the presidency, and are so scared of alienating their 'grass-roots' (read: multi-billion $) support, that they will do whatever their patrons want.

Not all interest groups in the US are powerful. The pro-Palestinian lobby, for example, is considerably less influential than the pro-Israel lobby. One reason put forward for this is that Jews have made a longer, more conspicuous and more distinguished contribution to US history and culture than Palestinians have. A somewhat more verifiable reason is that the pro-Israel lobby - diverse and internally contradictory as it is, as most lobbies are - can summon enough votes to make a difference, whereas the Palestinian lobby can't.

Answer 3

It all goes back to the beginnings of big government. Every government program, no matter how repulsive, ineffective, or economically devastating, has lobbyists. There are actually lobbyists who want to keep the Death Tax. There are other lobbyists for our Public School system who oppose any real reform while supporting half-hearted reforms designed to make our schools worse, such as No Child Left Behind. There are lobbyists who keep the Income Tax around. There are lobbyists who want to destroy our economy in the name of fixing nonexistant "threats" to the environment. There are lobbyists that want to expand the Federal Censorship Commission to Cable/Satellite TV.

Every bad government program will benefit the interests of a select few, who will lobby for it. That's why the Death Tax lobbyists are people who sell "Death Tax Insurance" and the Income Tax's lobbyists are the accountants whose career depends on preparing confusing tax forms understood by nobody.

Answer 4

Unfortunately interest groups are very influencial in ALL democracies & in all countries.

Me & most tend to argue that as long as they control the majority of finances for- and pressurise & influence our legislative bodies on a day-to-day basis, we are only half way to being/having a real democracy.

It is a shame that this issue does not get more mention in the media - maybe this is because it too is owned by these corporate colossues.

Answer 5

The Almighty Dollar. The group that pays the most gets the most pork legislation thrown their way. Special Interest Groups make me want to wretch.

Answer 6

They contribute money to individual campaigns and/or to the national party committees. This money buys favorable legislation and in exchange for the legislation the special interest group promises to work to support the candidate's/party's campaign.

It's modern day log rolling.

Answer 7

Lobbyists....that is their strategy. The buy our voted in politicians and woo them with money to vote a certain way.

Answer 8

It's the money, honey - politicians just love the stuff!

Answer 9

Money to bribe the politicians and politicians with no character.

Answer 10

The simple answer to your question is wealth combined with greed