With so much campaign contributions coming from interest groups, legislators are forced to vote for legislation that favors the interest groups giving the most money, not what is best for the entire population. "Campaign contributions profoundly influence the legislative decisions of members of Congress, and thus contribute to the overrepresentation of special interests in Congress at the expense of the interests of unorganized citizens" (Smith 91). Contributors like Political Action Committees give billions of dollars every election in order to get candidates elected who will meet their interests groups wants. "GOP representative Randy 'Duke' Cunningham of California was found guilty of accepting $2.4 million in bribes from a defense contractor. Cunningham allegedly used his position on a defense appropriations subcommittee to funnel millions of dollars in contracts to the firm (Ginsberg, Lowi, Weir, Tolbert 450). Lobbyists have many ways, whether legal or illegal, to get the wants of their pressure group met, causing money to be more important than belief for government officials. The significant role money has in government decisions and elections pose a threat to democracy, with interest groups giving the vast majority of contributions. .
Furthermore, it becomes apparent that interest groups constitute a threat to the average American's ability to influence elections and decisions through the fact that members of interest groups tend to be in the upper class. "Professional groups represent the interests of professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, and dentists. Because of their members' importance in local communities and their ability to make substantial campaign contributions, these organizations are influential in the policymaking process on matters close to their personal expertise and concerns" (Rutledge). Worries that certain interest groups represent only the wealthiest Americans has grown over the past few elections, with economic inequality becoming more pronounced.
