This is a lobby group that ensures American citizens are not denied their constitutional civil liberties. The group is involved in advocating for religious liberty, LGBTQ rights, voting rights, prisoner rights, racial justice, security and privacy, among others (ACLU, n.d.). This is the group the helps individuals and minority groups when their rights are violated. The aim of the group is to ensure citizen rights and freedoms are not abused.
ACLU influence on the American politics has been majorly on issues that touch Bill of Rights. For example, the group has been very focal against the Patriot Act that was passed after 9/11 attack. The law which is meant to harness national security violates individual privacy. The ball of contention has been what is important, whether individual civil liberties or national security? The law gives security agencies powers to seize, and search citizens without court warrant. This according to ACLU is contriving individual rights (Mineshima-Lowe, 2009).
Although, ACLU was expected to challenge the Biden mandatory vaccination mandate, the group has been in support of the vaccination. The members are now worried of why their religious rights and control of their bodies lies. But, the group argues that no single individual has the right to inflict harm to others (Berman, 2021). Thus, citizens who are not accepting vaccination are said to be harming others. Could this be as result of the lobby group being controlled by the White House? Or, does it mean the group has no political leaders to back it?
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce lobby group
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is an interest group that I do not agree with its Agenda. The group is involved in advocating for policies that aim to help organization to create job opportunities and spur economic growth (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, n.d.). Though, the group benefits the business owners it hurts the less disadvantaged citizens. The group looks for policies that will benefit business owners who are minority at the expense of the majority.
The U.S. chamber of commerce has a tendency of siding with Republican party or conservative Democrats who push for policies that aim to eliminate tariffs and oppose raising of taxes. The firm uses its financial strength to find political support at both Federal and State levels (Schwartz, 2021). The big corporations who are members of this lobby group are the ones that enable this group to have financial muscles. But, is this what the framers of the constitution wanted? Did they think big corporations will become political beasts who will create a political economy based on aggressive lobbying in place of innovations?
The chamber has incoherent political inclinations. It seeks to have control of the majority of people in the political leadership. The group finds ways of controlling not only the Congress but also Executive and Judiciary. It engages the best mind in Washington who have connections with policy makers. The chamber support shifts from one political party to another depending on the party’s influence. But, in all these cases it aims to achieve one thing: benefit its members (Newmyer, 2021).
The chamber surprise is that it scuttles government efforts. Think of the effort the group is exerting to stop the Democrats $3.5 trillion economic budget. Though, the economic plan is meant to expand Medicare coverage, provide support to the low income earners, fight climatic change and offer universal prekindergarten, the chamber is against it as the plan proposes an increase on tax levied on businesses (Romm, 2021). The chamber is now looking for ways to gain support from Democrats who have the power to pass the legislation. If the changer gets Democrats support, then the plan will not succeed. Is this not political corruption of big businesses?
