There are nearly seven thousand organizations represented in our nation’s capital. Interest groups are organizations that seek to influence decisions in government; they are sometime called lobbyists (Wilson, 2009 p. 142). Lobbyists acquired their name because they used to wait in the lobbies of the policy makers in order to catch them coming in and out of their offices. The rise of interest groups became more apparent due common interests amongst groups of citizens. Interest groups play an important role in today’s politics; the rise was attributed to the need to gain access to government in order to accomplish change. Many groups noticed a need to reach out to government officials in many notable matters in order to undertake the protection of the people. Interest groups, through the means of history have played an important role in the politics of the United States of America. Many interest groups are known to have made their mark in society by both striving and accomplishing change in policy. Interest groups have an interesting time line; I will lead you on the journey.
During the first, preindustrial phase from the 1830s to 1870s, charitable organizations assisting the poor represented the dominant form of association. Membership in these organization consisted mostly of middle class citizens. Crossing class line, the second phase is attributed to the economic group such as trade unions and employer’s union in between the 1860’s and the early 1900’s. The third phase constitutes was between 1920 and lasted through the late 1950s and was noted as professional associations and promotional groups. Finally the present phase is where we are today which promotes postindustrial values, environmental issues, and civil rights. (http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA98/pollklas/thesis/history.html)
Interest groups and political parties are closely related and often depend on one another to accomplish an agenda. Interest groups are protected by the first amendment right to speak freely and this right cannot be taken from them. Interest groups see themselves as policy changers, while political parties are focused on maximizing the number of seats they win in Congress. These competing goals have important implications for the relationship between interest groups and parties. For many years interest groups have funded politicians and mostly at the time of campaign but have also been known to dish out money for favors and bribes. I am sure this is why many people dislike the often misunderstood interest groups. The interest groups will continue to play major roles in politics; political action committees (PAC) were formed between 1875 and 1982. More than half of the PACs are supported by corporations. Interest groups help candidates win elections through funding if efforts of persuading politicians to adopt the interest groups’ cause. Often the lines are skewed about how much money is given to the politicians especially when Congressional votes are in question. I can honestly say that prior to delving into this topic; I had very little interest in politics and the interests groups that drive political communications. Through research I am finding that interest groups have affected us in many positive ways despite the negative connotation that seems to riddle the political arena (Brunell, 2009).
From 1830 to 1840 was an era where religious associations and antislavery efforts were under way. The 1860s craft-based union as well as different types of fraternal organization became more prevalent. Business associations that we know today such as: NAACP, the Urban League, American Medical Association, and the Farmers Union to name a few, which emerged in the 1880s to 1890s. (Wilson, 2009 p. 142) For example, the NAACP had a clear mission upon its establishment. Their mission represents the concerns and the accomplishment of their efforts. The NAACP notes on their webpage, “The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.” Through remarkable efforts the NAACP has been able to stand up to government and uphold their mission; this is often done through peaceful demonstrations and education. Additionally, the National Farmers Union, which was founded in 1902 as a group of concerned citizens who wanted to ensure the rights of the farmers. Their mission is also very clear as stated on NFU.org, “To advocate for the economic and social well-being, and quality of life of family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and consumers and their communities through education, cooperation and legislation. NFU advocates sustainable production of food, fiber, feed and fuel.” As you can see interest groups have been long known to fight for the rights of citizen groups. Interestingly I find this timeframe really set the precedence of interests groups as we know them today. Labor unions began it domination around the 1950 which is the same era of the Civil Rights movement. The strength and support of multiple interest groups made the landmark changes it set out to accomplish through the struggles to balance the quality of life of African Americans as well as other minority groups. Congresslink.org quantifies the massive efforts and relational efforts of interest groups and political policy. Congresslink.org states “Labor unions, including the powerful AFL-CIO, joined the lobbying effort in impressive numbers. The National Council of Churches, the National Catholic Conference for Interracial Justice, the National (Jewish) Community Relations Advisory Council, and the National Student Christian Federation added potent strength to the cause of civil rights by marshaling organized religious support behind the bill. Other interest groups which testified for the bill, or coordinated support for it, included the Americans for Democratic Action, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Japanese-American Citizens League, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and the American Veterans Committee. In all, nearly one hundred major national organizations representing multiple interests combined to favor the omnibus civil rights act.” This information show how coming together with common interests can make changes in what may seem to be a never winning battle. The government or the politicians couldn’t ignore the strength of the interest group. Due to the interest group was so strong it weakened the politicians’ power. There are noted acts to deter the Civil Rights Movement which shows that there was strong public opinion as well, but history notes that something had to be done. President John Lyndon signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and did so in quoting “We believe that all men are created equal -- yet many are denied equal treatment. We believe that all men have certain inalienable rights. We believe that all men are entitled to the blessings of liberty -- yet millions are being deprived of those blessings, not because of their own failures, but because of the color of their skins. The reasons are deeply embedded in history and tradition and the nature of man. We can understand without rancor or hatred how all this happens. But it cannot continue.” The interest groups of today fall into categories such as: public interest, professional, economic, ideological and one issue. These groups types covers and represent a wide range of citizens. As you can see throughout the history of United States politics, interest groups have always been there. Interest groups manage to get the attentions of the public and politicians through several avenues such as: media, newspaper, protest demonstrations or even filing suits in the courts of law. The advancement of technology allows the needed information to reach the people and the politicians much faster than previous decades. This is especially important since such information, known as cues, allow politicians to know what is important to the constituents. In knowing what is important, gives an opportunity to establish their position on any given issue. There are times where we, the people, may ask just whose interests are being represented? You may also ask what strategies are undertaken in order to accomplish the cause. Mcgraw-Hill interestingly summarizes them both for concise understanding. (“Interest Groups in America”, 2009, para 3 and 5) * The largest interest group is composed of trade associations, particularly business interests. * Professional associations, labor unions, and education groups also maintain a strong presence in Washington. * Virtually every nation in the world maintains a Washington office to oversee its relations with U.S. leaders. * Over 40 percent of all Washington lobbyists represent business interests. * Many interests at the bottom of the economic spectrum enjoy minimal or no representation at all. * A strategy is a group's overall plan; the specific actions it undertakes are tactics. * Inside strategies emphasize direct personal encounters with public officials. * Outside strategies are activities that show popular support for a cause and indirectly create public pressure on elected officials. * Resources useful in advancing a group's cause include money, numbers, prestige, and leadership.
In regards to support of presidents and president elects, there has been a fairly new body of power called super-PACs (super political action committees). There are massive efforts to expose the donors of super PACs since the monies raise are unlimited funds and can be used for or against a candidate. The noted funds of the super PACs are raised from corporations, unions, and individuals alike. Although political action committees have been around it was not until the 2010 Supreme Court Citizens v Federal Election Committee decision conveying that the government cannot prohibit the spending of corporations, unions and other groups for political campaigns. According to infoplease.com, “The Citizens United decision resulted in the proliferation of super PACs that opened the floodgates for unlimited amounts of money to be poured into political campaigns. It also dismantled the McCain–Feingold campaign-finance law that banned issue ads and soft money (funds contributed to the Republican and Democratic National Committees, and to the party committees in each state) in political campaigns.” The 2012 presidential race between President Barack and Mitt Romney is a prime example of how this explosion super PACs support the funds in presidential elections. “The 2010 midterm elections were the first test of the effects of the Citizens United ruling—and the influence of super PACs. Some $80 million was spent by super PACs during the midterm election cycle. Republican candidates largely reaped the benefits of the PACs' largesse, and Republicans won control of the House. Democrats cried foul, saying the elections were being bought by deep-pocketed individuals and companies and questioned what the donors expected in return for their contribution. But it was not long before Democrats established their own super PACs.” Political action committees cannot give monies directly to any candidate or congress in federal elections but the message is crystal clear, the money that is being donated to them is in hopes that they will support their cause and their cause alone. As you can see political parties and interest groups have been closely knitted together for multiple decades. There have been numerous scandals, such as Watergate, concerning the funding of candidates regardless of where the funding comes from. CNN notes “The study also found that 93% of the itemized contributions raised by super PACs came in contributions of $10,000 or more, with more than half of this money coming from just 37 people who each gave $500,000 or more. Super PACs are a game for millionaires and billionaires. They are a game for corporations and other wealthy interests. Meanwhile, citizens are pushed to the sidelines to watch the corruption of our democracy.”
The facts are that interest groups are and will continue to be invited to Congress to attend hearings; the causes that are represented are those beliefs of multitude. This is important to both the groups and politicians. I think any efforts to remove the tactics and funding of interest groups large or small will inevitably affect political policy as a whole. Whether we want to believe it or not they rely on each other. The President and the member of Congress can be either positively or negatively affected by interest groups. Interest groups and politicians have worked together in landmark cases that have liberated groups by means of rights and dignity.

References
Wilson, J. (2009). American Government. Mason, Ohio: Cengage .
Interest Group History (2013, June). Retrieved from (http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA98/pollklas/thesis/history.html).
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. (2013, June). About us. Retrieved from http://www.naacp.org/pages/our-mission
National Farmers Union. (2013, June). Home page. Retrieved from (http://nfu.org)
Interest Groups of America (2013, June). Home. Retrieved from (http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072965479/student_view0/chapter8)
Brunell, T. (2006, January). The Relationship Between Political Parties and Interest Groups: Explaining the Patterns of PAC Contirbutions to Candidates for Congress. Retrieved from (http://www.utdallas.edu/~tbrunell/papers/interestgroups_PRQ.pdf)
Rowen, B. (2007). Super PACs Exposed. Retrieved from (http://www.infoplease.com/us/government/super-pacs.html)
Wertheimer, F. (2012, February). Super PACs a disaster for democracy. Retrieved from (http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/15/opinion/wertheimer-super-pacs)
Interest Groups Today. (2013, June). Retrieved from (http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ma98/pollklas/thesis/types.html)