Reflect on interest groups and democracy. Discuss whether interest groups magnify the power of individuals to influence government and public policy or if they are used as a tool to exclude “regular people” in favor of wealthy elites. Also discuss whether changing the present election system so that it runs on limited public financing, via tax dollars, instead of contributions from interest groups and wealthy donors, would make the system more democratic and open.

In responding to your classmates, discuss if such a policy violates the free speech rights of interest groups and their members.

For your response posts (2), you must do the following: 

•   Reply to at least two different classmates outside of your own initial post thread.
•   In Module One, complete the two response posts by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
•   In Modules Two through Eight, complete the two response posts by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. of your local time zone.
•   Demonstrate more depth and thought than simply stating that “I agree” or “You are wrong.” Guidance is provided for you in each discussion prompt.