Special interest groups get a bad rap from the media and people on the Hill who try to blame someone, but truth be told, interest groups are a necessary evil. Whether you think interest groups are good or bad, these special interest groups are a natural part of our political system. Interest groups are any organization of people with political goals who work within the political process to promote those goals. An interest group hires lobbyists whose job is to encourage or prevent public policy changes without even trying to get elected. These groups attempt to influence policy in several ways, such as lobbying government officials, engaging in electoral activities, educating, and mobilizing diverse audiences (Interest Groups: Organizing to Influence ). Some of these power groups in California include the California Teachers Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, AT&T Inc., the NRA, or the California State Council of Service Employees. In California, interest groups have a lot of power and influence across all aspects of the political spectrum. In their simplest definition, special interest groups have a lot of use in the political ring, but given that they are free to roam today, with little regulation, it is simply not possible for a democratic government to be run. In this article, I will examine the conflicting arguments for and against interest groups, whether they are good or bad for the political system in California, and what reforms can be implemented to curb the influence of these lobbyists. Interest groups are an essential part of California's political system. political system. “Lobbyists view themselves as professional, selfless gladiators, under enormous pressure from their clients to deliver on their promises” (Michael, Walters 4). Members of Congress aren't experts in everything...they probably shouldn't be doing this type of deal. Businesses and unions should be able to have a say in what becomes law just like anyone else because it can affect them too, but because of the amount of money they put into the system politically, it would be better if there were better disclosure laws in place to end secrecy. The fault lies not only with corporations and unions, it also lies with the people who take their money. I would improve the California Fair Political Practices Commission, or FPPC, and increase fines and penalties for anyone caught committing wrongdoing. We must stop individuals, corporations and unions from investing all their money in the policies of their choice. Ultimately, this does not mean improved democracy and disclosure. These would be my solutions to reduce the influences of special interests on the California political system..