Um....

Next question to ponder......The Iron Triangle...what is it? Why is it critical for the functioning of a Republic???Who are the "players" involved?

The Iron Triangle, besides being a clever name for a system of government that we use, it's also a helpful mnemonic device for tests. The triangle is shared between Congress, Interest Groups and Agencies. The three different areas depend on one another to get stuff done. Congress is dependent on Interest Groups for electoral support and information. The Interest Groups work off of the bureaucracy with their minimal regulation and support. Then again Congress supports the agencies through funding and political support. To go the other way, policy execution is done by the agencies toward Congress; interest groups lobby for Congress support for agencies; and Congress presents legislation and oversight for Interest Groups. The three rack up enough power to control legislation and work as a cohesive team that "get 'er done". They need each other for effective, legitimate legislation. For example, say that teachers (the interest group) want to pass a law for free lunch. Then they will lobby toward Congress and Agencies for support. The Agencies, like the Department of Education, will review the teacher's desires and then, depending on how they took the news, will either hand it off to Congress or not. Later on, after the legislation for free teacher lunch has passed, when Congress members look for reelection they can refer back to the interest group of teacher to provide support that they are the good guys, and can use them in elections. All together they are a dynamic team that makes the government a much smoother place; without the three of them there would be a non-real shape: just two lines in various directions, lacking one more angle to connect them!