hey feel that their vote means something. Also when the election will affect the public's wallets, for example taxes, they will run to vote. The law used to be that you could not vote until you are 21, now the law has changed and you can vote when you are 18. You have to pay the poll a tax and take a literacy test about the constitution to vote. A couple of Amendments gave the right for minorities to vote. The 15th Amendment states that it does not matter what race, religion, etc. you are, anyone can vote. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. Now let me talk about the major influences on government, starting with interest group pressure.
Interests Groups did not want people to vote. They wanted the general public to stay at home. Interests Groups are people that come together to try and exercise influence over government policies. They have their own special agenda for the election. Political Action Committees give money to support a campaign. People hired by interest groups to write laws/bills to benefit that certain interest group are called lobbyists. Lobbyists are usually someone who knows the law making process; lawyers, legislators, etc. and are about the government. Interest groups started to corrupt a particular office by starting with the easiest person to corrupt. The lowest man whoever it may be and working their way up. According to the book, on page 108, the most influential interest groups are:
1. School Teachers Organizations (predominately NEA)
2. General Business Organizations (chambers of commerce, etc.)
3. Utility Companies and Associations (electric, gas, water, telephone, cable T.V.)
4. Lawyers (predominately trial lawyers)
5. Traditionally Labor Associations (predominately AFL-CFO)
And the list goes on. Interest groups can play a major role in a campaign. Now lets look at another problem, waste management.
Where does all of the trash collected daily around the nation come go to ...