The issue is the fact that they are being asked to make decisions when an incredible amount of money is being thrown at them to buy access and to influence the decision-making process. Schultz' report documents the various ways special interests spend money on politics by giving to candidates, political parties, and caucuses, and through independent expenditures and lobbyist expenditures. People are not stupid. And they're smart enough to figure out where the money's coming from and who's paying it, and if that influences your decision that a candidate or party is being supported by all this money and this particular industry, then take that to the polls and vote that way. Schultz says the industries highlighted were picked by Common Cause Minnesota when he was president of the watchdog group.
Special interests defend their spending as part of the political process.
Minnesota Medical Association lobbyist David Renner says political action committees are simply a way to allow groups of people with similar interests to pool their money to contribute to campaigns. Soft Money on a National Scale Local individuals, companies and organizations are also big players on the national political scene. See the top Minnesota soft-money contributors to federal campaigns. Some lawmakers say the explosion of special-interest money points out the need for campaign finance reform. DFL Representative Matt Entenza of St. Paul will introduce a bill this session to limit political parties' independent expenditures.