Interest Group Profile Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Interest Group Profile - Assignment Example It has no board of directors, but rather Norquist makes all broad decisions on objectives, goals, finances etc. himself. The group indicates it has a state chapter in every state, but information on the structures and size of those chapters is not available publically on the group’s website. It has a number of affiliated groups, all of whom have similar low-tax goals. The most prominent of those groups include the cost of government centre, the Stop Etax group, and the Alliance for Worker Freedom, which pushes for so called â€Å"right to work† legislation that weakens union memberships. Grover Norquist and Americans for Tax Reform have one main accomplishment, which is not legislative in nature but has shaped the state of congress for more than a decade. This is called the â€Å"Taxpayer Protection Pledge† – which essentially amounts to a declaration that a Congressperson is asked to sign, indicating that they will never, regardless of circumstances, rais e taxes in any way (meaning, broadly speaking, that they will not allow the government to raise more revenue, so if loopholes are closed then tax rates must be lowered an appropriate amount). To date, every single Republican member of congress has signed this pledge, and it has shaped public policy debate for years, especially in the last four years since Barack Obama was elected as president. It has also pushed the Republican party rightwards historically, as any Republican who refused to sign the pledge would face a primary challenge from someone who would. Though this is not legally binding (obviously), the pledge has provided serious trouble to some politicians in the current environment, when a majority of Americans agree that taxes should be raised on the wealthy. They either have to demonstrate that they do not hold to their election promises, making their chances for re-nomination or re-election much more difficult, or must continue to hold to a pledge that is growing increa singly unpopular and could even mean not doing what they think is right given the circumstances in the economy at the moment. Americans for Tax Reform is structured as a non-for-profit and thus does not have a Super PAC but rather has a 501(c)(4), a separate kind of entity that focuses on â€Å"issue ads† and does not have to disclose its donor roles. It has spent somewhere in the range of the tens of millions of dollars, all of which went to supporting Republican candidates or opposing Democratic ones. It is interesting to note that this group also spends a great deal of money in pushing for particular candidates during Republican primaries, seemingly trying to select the most anti-tax, conservative leaning politician. This non-for-profit technically does not even list itself as a lobbyist, because it does not actively lobby members of congress, rather, it focuses on pushing them to sign pledges before being elected into office. It has, in general, been one of the greatest f orces pushing the country rightwards since 1985, a date from which, it is

Hybrid Cars Pros and Cons Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hybrid Cars Pros and Cons - Essay Example This is not to suggest that hybrid vehicles do not provide certain benefits, they most certainly do, but that some of the benefits are not as complete as the media would have us believe. Indeed, in addition to certain overstatements regarding the benefits of hybrid vehicles, there are some disadvantages. A more sober analysis of hybrid vehicles demands a careful examination of the extant of the advantages and disadvantages rather than lofty statements unsupported by the evidence. To this end this essay will discuss the rationale for pursuing hybrid technologies, define more precisely what is meant by a hybrid vehicle, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages. As an initial matter, one cannot understate the significance of the motor vehicle to the American way of life. They are pervasive as they are used by individuals for leisure, by individuals for getting to work, and by businesses for commercial transportation. A review of the statistical data is staggering. In a recent report by the United States Department of Transportation it was stated that there are more than one hundred and thirty-six million automobiles, more than ninety-five million other types of two-axle four tire motor vehicles, and more than eight hundred busses, more than eight million trucks (Number of Aircraft, Railcars, Vehicles, and Vessels, 2005: n.p.). In short, there are there are, perhaps, more motor vehicles in the United States than human beings. Having this many vehicles, in turn has consequences. The pollution generated by these motor vehicles is similarly staggering. The 28th National Air Quality and Emission Trends Report, for instance, that motor vehicle mi les traveled continues to increase and that this factor is one of the most significant contributors to air pollution (2003: 1). This pollution poses severe risks to public health; indeed as again stated by the 28th National Air Quality and Emission Trends Report "Exposure to air pollution is associated with numerous effects on human health, including respiratory problems, hospitalization for heart or lung diseases, and even premature death. Children are at greater risk because they are generally more active outdoors and their lungs are still developing. The elderly and people with heart or lung diseases are also more sensitive to some types of air pollution" (2003: n.p.) Even a cursory examination of the relevant statistical data demonstrates that motor vehicles are pervasive in American society and that they generate substantial expenses both in terms of financial expenditures and in terms of public health. Hybrid Cars: Definition and a Comparative Analysis It is within this context, attempting to minimize financial, environmental, and public health costs, that the hybrid car has generated so much excitement. Most generally, a hybrid car refers to a car that can use two or more separate sources of power. Although there are different types of hybrid motor vehicles, this essay is most concerned with a hybrid car that uses an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as its two separate sources of power. This further reduces the analysis to power which is typically generated by oil versus power which is generated by an electric battery. This type of car has proven extraordinarily