PART ONE: This needs to be a specific law, not something general. You will lose major points if you say something like: the legislature needs to re-think how it funds schools. You are a legislator for this assignment and it is your responsibility to come up with the specific idea. I am removing guns, drugs, abortion and immigration from consideration because as a government professor I have read too many of these papers over the years – you need to come up with a new area to explore. This also needs to be a Texas law, since this is a Texas Government class. That means no forgiveness of student loans, healthcare, or other nationwide issue.
Oh, and keep it constitutional – no “chop off someone’s hand for theft” laws.
PART TWO: Since you also know about interest groups now, list some interest groups/organizations/companies/industries that would OPPOSE your law as it goes through the legislative process. Get out of the echo chamber on this assignment because this takes critical thinking. Your friends will always come help you pass a law. I want the names of three organized interest groups or specific companies that would oppose your law and why. For instance, if your idea were to raise the legal drinking age to 31, then think about who would oppose your law – perhaps beer companies and bars, so research who represents them – there are lots of organized interest groups out there, find and name them. But then think about it more, who else loses? Maybe Uber? Maybe lawyers who represent DWI clients? Are there interest groups that represent them? The point is I want you to think this one through – who specifically loses if your bill passes.
After reading the chapter you know that Republicans/Democrats/Elected officials/Government Agencies are not organized interest groups. They may be “interested,” but they are off limits as groups you can list. Find the lobby groups, trade associations, unions, think tanks, etc. – there are a ton out there and they all have websites and give quotes to journalists about what they think. This is a research assignment.
If you cannot find opposition to your idea, you are not thinking about it the right way. Talk it out with friends and co-workers, this one can be fun if you put your mind to it.
PART THREE: Post two replies to other students making helpful suggestions about their law, how to deal with the opposition, maybe some issue they did not consider, why it is a bad idea, etc. Be nice, but constructive. Remember that the posts are not anonymous and will be moderated. Inappropriate comments will cause students to lose credit for the assignment.
The rules:
1. Your answer needs to be no less than 300 words and no more than 400 words.
2. Students then must post thoughtful replies to two other student’s posts asking questions or adding more thoughts to their material (100 word minimums).
3. Remember, guns, drugs, abortion and immigration are off limits. There are other things to talk about, I promise you.
