Rachel Said:

Would it be possible to have a 'democratic' government without interest groups?

We Answered:

James Madison was a great man an idealist, yet it is possible and worked well until Jackson brought in the spoils system and replaced the advancement on preformance system so yes it has worked before

Rosemary Said:

In the United States, how do you think interest groups hinder democracy and the democratic process?

We Answered:

With money.

I am a staunch 2nd Amendment guy but the NRA leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don't like lobbyists.

Without them how else do you combat those who would force their will on you? Honest, moral politicians?

-They don't exist.

Jaime Said:

Are special interest groups destroying the Democratic party?

We Answered:

Yeah, the democrat party really foreshadowed their demise by taking both houses of congress.

You guys crack me up, if you understand nothing else, understand this:

Congress has low approvals because it hasn't ended the Iraq war, hasn't impeached bush and cheney, it caved on FISA, and going along with bush on immigration.

If anything, republicans should love the democrats.

Wallace Said:

Why are Special Interest Groups Bad for a Democratic Society?

We Answered:

The NRA which fights for peoples rights and actually supports candidates across party lines is not the problem. Hate groups like Moveon that solely fund democrats and even then threaten them if they dare be even close to moderate on an issue and of course they put tens of millions into defeating republicans only. Blind ideology is not helpful.

Elaine Said:

Why are Democratic special interest groups ok but ones on the Right they demonize?

We Answered:

"Hypocritical", you have quite clearly defined liberalism.

Marion Said:

How can interest groups be beneficial to democratic process?

We Answered:

the democratic process is all about representation. interest groups, by definition, represent the views/opinions of group to the government and the general public. you can bet that virtually every political opinion you hold is represented by some interest group or another. some examples:
pro-choice.... Planned Parenthood
pro-life.... National Right to Life Foundation
gun rights advocates.... NRA
free speech advocates.... ACLU
elderly.... AARP
black.... NAACP
women.... NOW
pro-business.... chamber of commerce
Jewish... Anti-Defamation League
pot smokers/people who support them.... NORML
conservationists..... Sierra Club

.... the list goes on and on...

interest groups allow people to put thier voices together and be heard more than they could by themselves. they serve an invaluable and integral function in the democratic process by giving the citizens a megaphone to ensure their voices are heard and their opinions are taken into account in the public discourse.