Name the three branches of Government.
Legislative, Judicial, Executive.
What are two things that local (city and county governments do?
Ex. Control utilities, sanitation (waste management), repair and fix roads, handle first responder services (police, firefighters, EMT's), build and maintain recreational facilities (libraries, parks, sports fields).
What is an amendment to the constitution?
A change or addition to the countries governing laws.
What is the capital of WI?
Madison, WI.
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington D. C.
True or False: The president is part of the legislative branch of government.
False: The president is part of the executive branch.
What power do both state and local governments have a part in?
Education (Local communities hire teachers, build schools, and provide transportation. The state decide what gets taught in schools)
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
Where is Wisconsin's State Capitol building?
Madison, WI.
Taxes pay for all sorts of government jobs and services. Federal taxes help pay for national things like the president, the Congress, federal judges, and the military. State taxes pay for roads and the governor. County and city taxes help pay for schools, fire trucks, and the police. Without taxes, the government couldn't run and the country would be in chaos.
True or False: The judicial branch decides what the laws mean.
True!
How are people in local government positions put into power?
Voting!
Currently, how many amendments to the constitution have been ratified (put into place)?
27 Amendments.
True or false: Wisconsin's state government has 7 branches.
False, they are the same 3 as the United States Government. However they are at a state level.
Who can vote in the United States today?
To vote you must be a united states citizen, 18 years old, and a non-convicted felon.
True or False: Judges and juries are part of the executive branch.
False: They are part of the judicial branch.
What is something that Federal, State and Local Governments all have a hand in?
Safety (Community police, state troopers, the National Guard, and the FBI all work to fight crime).
Why is the Bill of Rights important to the constitution?
They protect many rights that citizens of this country have.
True.
What is a representative?
Someone in the legislative branch that makes decisions based upon what the citizens they represent want.
What are checks and balances? Why does the government have these?
A series of powers that each branch has over the other branches. This is so the power is spread out and no one branch is more powerful than the others.
What are utilities?
Necessities that are managed and distributed. (Ex. Electricity, natural gas, water).
What are the bill of rights? (pick 5)
1. Freedom of religion, speech and press
2. Right to bear arms
3. Housing of Soldiers not required
4. Protection of unreasonable search and seizure
5. Protection of life, liberty and property
6. Rights of the accused persons in crimes
7. Rights to civil cases and trials
8. No excessive bail, fines or punishments
9. Other rights kept by people
10. Unnamed powers are given to the states and the people
True or false: Only the federal government has a legislature that makes laws.
False, our state government also has a legislature that makes laws. However their laws affect only the state of WI.
What is a political party? What are the two main political parties?
Political parties are groups of people that work to be in charge of a government. The main way in which a political party gains power is through the election of its members to office.
The two main political parties are Democrats and Republicans.