The Iron Triangle and the Gaming Industry

1. Importance of the ESA a. Listen to this three minute introduction to The Entertainment Software Association and their chief lobbyist Eric Huey. Answer the questions below using the interview and online resources, if necessary. b. Look at these graphics put together by the ESA. What are three reasons why the ESA can potentially have a large influence on Capitol Hill? c. What were three jobs that Huey held prior to being a lobbyist with ESA (Google this)? Why were these helpful in getting his current job.

2. Donations a. How much money did the ESA donate in 2013? b. Go to Open Secrets and the Federal Election Commission’s websites and find five members of Congress that have received donations. What is one logical connection between the ESA and the members of Congress (key committee, senior member of Congress, etc.)

3. Laws a. Look at this ESA end of the year report. Using “Control + F” find out about the ) Child Safe Viewing Act and detail what it does below. b. Here is the actual law. What is surprising about the actual document to you? c. Go here to look at the steps of how the bill became a law. What committees in each house did the bill go to? Who was the chief sponsor? How much money has the ESA (go to the links in #2) give to his PAC?

4. Bureaucracy a. What is the role of the Federal Communications Commission? b. What are two conclusions they reached based on their directive by Congress? c. What is the role of public comments in implementing a bureaucratic decision coming out of a law? d. What comments is the FCC (first page) seeing in relation to “safe viewing” by children? Look for “Empowering Parents and Protecting Children in an Evolving Media Landscape.” e. What is one rule that the FCC required, after public comments, as a result of the Child Safe Viewing Act.

5. Iron Triangle a. What is the iron triangle? b. Using this assignment, give me three specific examples of each side of the iron triangle.