Section three of the book, State and Local Government 1999-2000, discusses the role of political parties, interest groups, and political action committees in state and local governments. Recently there has been evidence that political party affiliation is becoming less of a factor in voters' decisions on Election Day. In 1956, only 28% of voters who identified themselves as either Democrats or Republicans voted for candidates of the opposing party. In 1980, however, that number increased to 51%. In 1986, 20% of …showed first 75 words of 2107 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2107 total…view of the American public. Interest groups would still have the power to sway public opinion through use of the media, but less power to sway politicians directly. As a result, legislation would lean more toward the good of the people than the good of large corporations. A democracy should work for all citizens, not just the wealthy and powerful. It is time that something be done to give the power back to the people.