How do we regulate interest groups and lobbying activity? What are the goals of these regulations? Do you think these regulations achieve their objectives? Why or why not?

Question

How do we regulate interest groups and lobbying activity? What are the goals of these regulations? Do you think these regulations achieve their objectives? Why or why not? If you could alter the way we regulate interest group activity and lobbying, how might you do so in a way consistent with the Constitution and recent Supreme Court decisions? 

Answer 1

There have been several efforts to limit the influence of special interest in our national elections. Unfortunately several recent Supreme Court decisions have made many of those efforts inapplicable. The most recent declared that corporations have the same rights as a person.

In addition, Political Action Committees (PACS) have also been freed from financial limitations, helping to increase the influece of special interests in our elections.