Do special interest groups prevent corruption in Congress?

Question

meaning, do they check and balance the power on Capitol Hill?

Answer 1

They are just "the look-out man".

Answer 2

Special interest groups have a narrow agenda, and that is to protest their sacred cow, whatever cow that may be.  

Some special interests often employ lobbyists to promote their cause to specific congressmen and senators, hoping for tax benefits of some kind. (ie grants, or tax relief). Some special intererest groups act to promote particular politicians or causes (ie nuclear power). Others act to embarass or harm politicians (ie, MoveOn)

Special interest groups are pretty much out for their own cause, and everyone else's, cest` la vie!

Answer 3

Special interest groups care only about how their special interest will benefit themselves, they do not balance out anything.

Answer 4

No they absolutely aid in the corruption of Congress or any other Politician.  Special interest groups have nothing to do with the check and balances process.

Answer 5

No.  If anything they are part of the problem, not part of the solution.  They may call themselves "watchdog" organizations but in reality, they only care about their own narrow area of interest to the exclusion of all others.

That means that the ones with the most money are the ones that get their message across most frequently.