Political Action Committees (pacs) And Its Impact On American Politics

Having a lot of money, political action committees (or PACs) are playing more and more important role in American politics, and with the money, they can impose their will to public officials by many means.1 What are PACsPACs are organizations organized by the Labor Unions, corporations, trade organization, environmental groups and so on. PACs collect money from many individual contributors and then offer the money to the candidates they like. The first PAC was organized by the Labor Union in 1930's, then, more and more PACs came into being. In 1970's and 1980's, the amount of PACs increased very quickly, and during the 1990's, the PACs developed steadily. Today, there are all kinds of PACs in America, the corporate PACs are the most powerful ones.2 Working of PACsPACs' major task is to raise money, and donate the money to candidates. Through regular campaigns, PACs get the money they need. In the course of the campaigns, some PACs exert effective pressure on contributors to get more money, while others only collect what people donate voluntarily. PACs spend money on candidates through political contributions, soft money and so on.3 PACs' influence on American politicsThe main aim of PACs is to influence the congress, however we ought not to overlook their influence on governments and courts of all levels as well. With the increase of all kinds of expenditure, candidates need more money for theirelection, so the PACs become more important because they can offer campaign expenditure without breaching the law. You can hear the voice of PACs from election to legislation.4 Legislation and reformMany reforms have been carried out since the establishment of the PACs, and the reforms will be carried on for the PACs have brought negative impact on the American politics and democracy.5 Analysis and appraisalIn the U.S. people can't agree with each other as to whether the PACs are good things or not. Advocates believe that the PACs are another way for people to express their will besides votes. But other people stress that PACs have endangered American democracy and politic. In the author's opinion , PACs are fit for the situation of the U.S., for they have taken roots in the American society for a long time. On the other hand, PACs have made American politics inseparable from money. What's more, they divert American democracy from it due course.