Often special interests/special interest groups/lobbyists are mentioned in a negative way in the Dungeon. Just want to make sure I understand your use of the phrases. What is your definition of these groups/people? Are any appropriate? Which ones are good/bad? If there weren't any, who would represent your interests? If you say there shouldn't be any, do you actively try to dissuade organizations you are a member of from hiring any?
The problem is not necessarily special interest groups as much as it is that Politician become serviant to these groups in return for votes. I am very cautious of special interest. One has to follow the money and typically the first objective of any group is to hide the money trail.
Special Interest should be what the Politicians are looking after...as in "They have taken a special interest in doing what they said they were going to do." That other group that is called "Special Interest" should have a more fitting name like scavengers, paid vultures, or something else not fit for print.
Special interests are groups like the AMA, NRA and the Tobacco Manufacturers. They try to get laws passed that favor their agenda and block laws that they feel hurt them. All of these groups contribute money to our elected officials based on what benefit they think they can garner. They become dangerous when they start to throw around power based on how much of your elected official they have purchased.
Foreign aid: not unusually stolen by crooked leaders of other countries with kickbacks to crooked US leaders: the amounts are staggering: http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/politics/us-foreign-aid.htm
Not necessarily. It is not about bashing. Just like everything, it is a game of manipulation, things get out of hand, Politicians sell out.
