Special Interests.

One euphemism I have particular distaste for is Special Interests. Most reading this blog will know what a special interest is, it is any cause that one does not agree with or support.

The term special interest is used quite a bit when talking about campaign finance reform. We need CFR because we need to limit the influence of special interests! Or so the CFR advocates often remind us. Is this not what representative government is about?

Allowing people to band together for common cause? Allowing people to band together to lobby the government? What is that old saying? E pluribus Unum or the other one United we stand, divided we fall.

Some years ago on WImP (Wisconsin Public) radio I heard a guy call in and complain to the guest about how some local businessman that was adversely affected by some regulation was going to talk to his assemblyman. The caller thought this a horrible thing! The guest (IIRC some assemblyman) reminded the caller this is a right we have to petition our government.

Of course, some of you may point out there is nothing pejorative about special interest. Yes, in and of itself it is quite descriptive but the meaning it has come to take is indeed pejorative. I never hear NRA members describe their organization (Of which I am a member) as a special interest group, I never hear NOW members use special interest when referring to NOW.

No clearly, those I agree with have vital interests and those I disagree with have special interests.

Anyway time to make the doughnuts!