How could policies favored by an interest group not be in the best interests of most Americans?

Question

Provide an example, either real or hypothetical

Answer 1

Women's Rights organizations across the country that want equality for women, unless you're a woman that disagrees with them on an issue, in which case they trample on your freedom of speech rights.

Answer 2

Nationalized Health Care would be a poor example, because it would be in the interests of a broad cross section of citizens, employers and the system itself.

Let's look at "abstinence only" sex education, which is advocated by the religious conservative interest group. People who enroll in those programs wind up having sex as often as people in regular sex education, so pretending that sex doesn't exist does NOT prevent teens from partaking - so the entire concept fails in it's core objective. However, by leaving them in ignorance, the teens are MORE LIKELY to get diseases and get impregnated. Which probably leads to increased abortions, ironically.

It's not whether the policy is favored by a particular group or not, it's about whether the foundation of that stance is based on facts and sound public policy concerns or not. Objective vs. subjective seems to be a good dividing line.

Answer 3

Special interest groups normally do not represent most Americans, only a very narrow minority. An example is the Jewish lobby, which lobbies Congress constantly and costs American taxpayers billions of dollars a vear. I doubt very much if most Americans think giving free weapons to Israel to kill innocent Palestinian civilians is much in the intersts of US security. Another example are hispanic groups that constantly lobby in favor of illegal immigration and the multi-billion dollar drain on US taxpayers to pay for the costs of illegal immigration.

Answer 4

The Tobacco Institute comes to mind. They paid lobbyists to try to convince politicians that smoking cigarettes had no link to lung cancer, as well as other illnesses. They also paid their scientists to do studies to "prove" this. They made campaign contributions to politicians, and continued to lobby them all along, especially when there was anti-smoking legislation on the floor.
This hurts the greater population, because this "junk science" and huge contributions did influence politicians prevent the real research being done from being brought to light, because all too often, these other researchers do not have the money to influence politicians like the big corporate lobbying groups do.

Answer 5

Well, look at the war in Iraq. It is over US big oil losing 3 contracts for Iraqi oil and them being awarded to France and Russia! That was the day the war started!

I would call that a perfect example of how special interests run this country. Hell, we were even giving them tax breaks and they earn the most of any business in America, by far!

I don't think the war has been good for this country! Corporate welfare maybe, but not to those who lose kids in a stupid war started by president that is the worst in US history. He is beyond contemptible. If they took him tomorrow, convicted him, and summarily executed him I would not shed one damn tear!

Answer 6

When the interest group represents a small splinter group of malcontents. Ex; The Sierra Club or the Audubon Society

Answer 7

Recalling the nationalized health care idea, which would force me to pay for health coverage that I can't afford, sounds like a good idea on paper, but would bankrupt everyone who can't afford to pay for the tax increases involved.

I barely can afford to live as it is. I have a vested interest in not getting sick, because I can't afford a doctor unless it's an emergency. If we had nationalized health care, I'd be paying for sex change operations and liposuction, because some "progressive" would say it's discrimination if we didn't, and I'd be waiting in line even longer to see a doctor.

You add nationalized healthcare, and all of a sudden we need tax increases, and the poor obviously need to pay their fair share. So now I have to decide whether I eat or pay for my car insurance so I can drive to work.

THANKS. SOCIALIZED MEDICINE! You really came through for me, the little guy. Next brilliant idea: raise minimum wage, and watch prices skyrocket while I get laid off.

Now you've really helped the poor. Good job!

Answer 8

The eco-terrorists who refuse to allow any drilling in the so called Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). I've been there, as well as Prudhoe Bay, and the caribou are doing just fine. As a matter of fact, the herd has increased fivefold since Prudhoe Bay opened in the mid 1970's. That is one truth the Sierra Club won't tell you!

Answer 9

The Young Democrats, a college organization, advocate nationalized health care in the US. Nationalized health care is not in the best interest of all citizens in the US.

Answer 10

The NRA pushes the 2nd amendment. The democrats would like to take all our guns away.