Fed.+10,+Interest+Groups+and+PAC's

=Fed #10, Interest Groups and PAC's= Use this page to help you get started with your Fed #10 and Interest Groups Project When we discussed Federalist #10 and factions, I told you factions are basically what interest groups are called today. First you probably need to know clearly what an interest group and how lobbying, PAC's and something called 527's. Your book has some of this information in Ch 9 and on pages 196-202. Make sure you have completed these reading assignments before you begin this. Click on influence and lobbying to get a clear idea of interest groups, PAC's, 527's and how money OR interest groups influence politics. The Federal Election Commission regulates all those who seek to influence politics...with money. Click here to find out the basics about the FEC. Click here if you want some quick answers about the FEC Influence and Lobbying 10 Things Every Voter Should Know You might be a little daunted, but you can find out exactly who gets what and from whom here. Top Overall Donors There is more information (some quite satirical) on the Political Views...click here to go there and then scroll down Colbert and Super PAC's

If you want to watch the Interest Group Video we watched in class again--good idea, by the way---click below: Interest Groups Video-C-Span

//Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission// (2010)
//Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission// (2010)-is an important Supreme Court case. It led to the creation of Super PACs. Below are some sources that you can check out to make sure you know why it was so signficant (kinda big deal) and has had a major influence on recent elections (now you know why the person says really fast and mumble-like "Paid for the People for..." at the end of those annoying commercials). Supreme Court Blog...this is straight from the source the Supreme Court, so it will be least biased; however, it will be the most challenging for you to read. Washington Post's Take Fox News take! ...because the Founding Fathers knew that corporations are people too. //New York Times //take!...because money talks. Open Secrets take on //Citizens United v. FEC// Public Integrity Story of Stuff-it's a cartoon, but has a clear bias...like all of the above! Oh whoa wait...don't think that people haven't organized around this case they have. There is a movement to overturn this case by an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It is often called the "We the People" Amendment. Google it or check out this site...heck it could be the faction you choose to research. Move to Amend

Want to find the faction* you are going to research:
This site Vote Smart has lists of interest groups and their respective websites and information on how to contact those groups. In addition, you can research a topic or issue and see what legislation is upcoming or has recently been in the Congress, etc.
 * Remember you pick a faction and your groups must show both sides of that faction (two oppositional groups)!

C-Span Videos
Lobbying Money in Politics-Ralph Nader