Scavenger+Hunt


 * Interest Group Internet Scavenger Hunt **

Directions: In order to help you learn about the controversies of interest groups and their actions, go to the following links and answer questions so you can prepare for upcoming formal assessments. For much of this activity, we will be utilizing the resources of [|www.opensecrets.org].

1. Based on the data in this chart, make a list of comparing the top 5 industries that gave the most to each of the following political parties in the 2012 election cycle. List the amount they donated to that party. You are encouraged to click on the different industries and read about their background; check out the 2008 cycle to see the money totals.
 * I. Which Industry Supports Which Political Party? **


 * Industries that Supported the [|Democrats] || Industries that Supported the [|Republicans] ||
 * 1.

2.

3.

4.

5. || 1.

2.

3.

4.

5. ||

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">2. Research the [|Health Services/HMO (insurance) industry]. Read the background information about the industry. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">A. Who are the [|top four members of Congress] that received contributions from this industry?

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">B. Who are the [|top three contributors] to federal candidates and parties (2012)?

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">C. What [|trends] do you observe about this industry’s spending on lobbyists?

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">3. What [|trends] do you observe in the number of lobbyists and the amount of money spent on lobbying?
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">II. Lobbying **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">4. Make a list of the [|top five interest group spenders] so far in 2013—include the amount of money they have spent on lobbying so far. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">5. Describe the function of the interest group that has spent the most money on lobbying thus far in 2013 (you will need to use outside resources)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Top 5 Interest Groups || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Amount of Money Spent (2013) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">1. ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">2. ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">3. ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">4. ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">5. ||  ||

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">6. Make a list of the [|top three lobbying firms] thus far in 2013 (based on money received for their services). Include how much money they have received thus far.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Top 3 Lobbying Firms || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Amount of Money Received (2013) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">1. ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">2. ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">3. ||  ||

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">7. Read this [|article] that SATIRIZES the lobbying industry and the US government <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">A. Summarize this article in three sentences or less.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">B. What message is the author trying to convey?

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">8. Explain the meaning of the phrase “[|revolving door]”.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">III. The Revolving Door: **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">9. Look at the employment history of [|Trent Lott], why do you think he was hired to become a lobbyist?

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">10. Look at the employment history of [|Tom Daschle]. How does he fit the profile of someone who has been utilized the ‘revolving door’?

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">11. What are the pros & cons of the “revolving door”? (Use your brainpower to analyze this controversial issue!)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">PROS of Revolving Door || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">CONS of Revolving Door ||

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">12. Briefly explain the function of [|PACs]?
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">IV. Political Action Committees (PACs): **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">13. Make a list of the [|top five PACS in 2008] —include the amount of money the PAC spent.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Top 5 PACS || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Amount of Money Spent (2008) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">1. ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">2. ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">3. ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">4. ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">5. ||  ||

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">14. What are [|Leadership PACS]?

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">15. Make a list of the [|top five Leadership PACS in 2010] —include the amount of money the PAC spent.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Top 5 Leadership PACS & Their Affiliate (politician) || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">List the Politician’s Leadership Position (if applicable—need to use outside research) || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Amount of Money Spent (2010) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">1. ||  ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">2. ||  ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">3. ||  ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">4. ||  ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">5. ||  ||   ||

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">16. What [] must an organization follow in order to be called a 527?
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">V. 527 Groups: **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">17. [|Why] are these groups called ‘527s’?

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">18. Describe the [|trend] of 527 organization receipts from 2004-2010

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">19. Watch this political [|advertisement]. How can you tell this ad was created and paid for by a 527 organization?

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Directions: Read through each of the [|11 Things] and answer the question that corresponds with each “Thing”. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">What is an independent expenditure? ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">VI. The Top 11 Things Every Voter Should Know About Money-In-Politics: **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Write down the “Thing” || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Answer the Questions Below ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">1. || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">How do Congressional committee assignments strategically affect how interest groups donate money to members of Congress? ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">2. || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Why do major donors tend to donate more to incumbent Congressional candidates? ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">3. || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Describe the trend in the cost of beating a House incumbent candidate. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">4. || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Why do politicians care more about big donors compared to small donors? ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">5. || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">List some of the campaign donation trends listed: ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">6. || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Why does an interest group care about developing a long-term relationship with a member of Congress? ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">7. || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Why is there so much pressure for members of Congress to constantly be fundraising? ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">8. || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">What is one reason why the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) is considered relatively weak? ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">9. || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">How did the Citizens United v FEC decision affect the rules of campaign contributions?
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">10. || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">How do interest group ratings affect members of Congress? ||
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">11. || <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Besides money, what are some other factors that help politicians get elected? ||