2.3 Do Interest Groups Make You SYAD?

Washington Post: Coca-Cola "Big Soda Sponsored 96 Health Groups--A Big Conflict of Interest, study says"

1. Which health based interest groups are identified as receiving funding from Coke?

Shame on American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation for getting sponsored by Coca-Cola Co. 

2. What did these health-based groups do in return for Coca Cola?

These research groups publicize studies that downplay the major role of sugar in many health issues in order to make anything but sugar the enemy and boost Coke sales. 

3. What does the article claim the sugar industry did 50 years ago to the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine study?

The sugar industry had correspondence with JAMA, funding research by Harvard scientists to release study results that blamed cholesterol and saturated fat for heart disease rather than sugar. 

4. What kinds of policies is Coca Cola trying to lobby against now?

It is lobbying against soda taxes and soda bans. 

Los Angeles Times: Uber "Uber and Lyft are Winning at the State Capitol--here's why" 

5. What legislation was being considered in California that would have impacted ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft?

The California Public Utilities Commission was planning to introduce new regulations that would have limited the ability to rent cars to drive them for Uber. 

6. How much money did those companies spend lobbying California lawmakers?

Combined, Uber and Lyft have spent nearly $900,000 on lobbying. 

7. Which political parties are giving support to Uber and Lyft?

The Democratic party is vocal in supporting the industry and the Republican party also supports the companies as well for economic reasons. 

8. Who seems to be the loser when policies regulating Uber and Lyft are not adopted? 

Union advocates greatly resent the lack of regulation for these ride-sharing companies because they believe that the lawmakers are ignoring concern for worker and consumer protections.