Interest Groups

URL: http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2015/10/report_devos_family_michigans.html


Report: DeVos family, Michigan's 'most potent interest group,' spent $4.9M in 2014 elections

There are plenty of interest groups who give money to politicians who are running for the house or the senate. This week Michigan found the interest group that has given the most highest amount of money to fund in state political candidates and committees in 2013 and 2014. "... The DeVos family is the most 'potent interest group in state politics' said Rich Robinson of the Michigan Finance Network..." Next to him in second place is the Bernstein family who gave over 2 million dollars towards Richard Bernstein's campaign to run for State Supreme Court, which he successfully won. In addition the DeVos family has been ranked one of the most philanthropic families in the entire country. 

Because this country is founded on many basic freedoms there are people who have become very wealthy as well. Also because of these liberties, people are able to give money to the political causes or politicians that they like. There are not many rules on how much they can give but the donors do need to let the public know how much they gave. This kind of giving is both good and bad. People should not be restricted from giving to others but at the same time I wonder how people who do not have money can be represented. Even if poorer people  join groups of other people, it still takes money to fund an operation. That means that politics depends a lot on money and that is not such a good thing.

This article is relevant today to our class studies on interest groups. Interest groups are a part of the way that we the public can participate in government and politics here in the USA.