Essay 20

(1999_2)National interest groups often target national-level policymaking institutions to achieve their policy objectives.

Select one of the following national interest groups.
- AARP
- AMA (American Medical Association)
- NAACP
- NAM (national assoc. of Manufacturers)

For the group you selected do each of the following.

- a identify one major national-level policymaking institution that this group targets.
The AARP targets the Senate and Congress. Retired people wants retirement benefits that they have been promised under the system. They feel that they haves paid enough throughout their life that they deserve such benefits when they retire such as medicare and medicaid. The AARP targets both the Senate and Congress because they are the ones who will pass the laws directly affecting retired people. 

- b describe one resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a)
One characteristic of the AARP is that it is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over. Because they acquire membership from people 50 and over, most people are willing to donate money to the cause and influence elected officials to promote causes or issues that specifically benefit people 50 and over. AARP members know that they only way they will get laws passed is by directly targeting to Senate and Congress. 

- c describe another resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a).
AARp members are retired and have lots of spare time on their hands. Along with money they also have time. This free time allows them to coordinate events, lobby for their cause, and focus financially on the cause. By lobbying, retired people are ensuring that they are seen by the public. Their issues are then directly being dealt with by the Senate and Congress who will pass these laws for them.