What is a filibuster?
A long speech that delays the passage of a bill
What is limited government?
The power of the government is limited to the powers that the people have given it through law.
How do strict constructionists interpret the Constitution?
Those who prefer a more literal interpretation of the Constitution are known as strict constructionists.
What are enumerated powers in the Constitution?
Powers that are listed in the Constitution
How would you describe the federal government’s debt?
Something along the lines of it’s a lot, out of control, rapidly increasing, etc.
According to the textbook, what are the 2 reasons for why we need government?
Creation Mandate and human depravity
What are checks and balances?
Each branch has the ability to check the power of the other two branches.
How do broad constructionists interpret the Constitution?
Others who take a broader and more flexible view are known as broad constructionists.
What are implied powers in the Constitution?
Powers that are needed to exercise enumerated powers (but not directly stated)
What is formally charging a top government official with a serious crime called?
Impeachment
James Madison said, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." Explain whether or not this is a Biblical statement. (Hint on wording: yes/no because the Bible says...)
No—because God will rule when perfect, government was before sin, etc.
What is popular sovereignty?
Popular sovereignty is the idea that the people are the ultimate source of their government’s authority.
What are the 3 requirements to be in the House of Representatives?
1) Be at least twenty-five years old
2) Have been a US citizen for no fewer than seven years
3) Be a resident of the state to be represented
What are the 3 requirements to be in the Senate?
1) Be at least thirty years old
2) Have been a US citizen for at least nine years
3) Be a resident of the state being represented
What are closed primaries?
Primaries where voters must declare their party membership
What are the 4 obligations of the governed?
1) Prayer
2) Participation
3) Submission
4) Witness
What is separation of powers?
Separation of powers prevents any individual or group from gaining too much control (of the 3 branches)
What is gerrymandering?
Redrawing district lines to favor a political party
How does the census impact the House of Representatives?
The House of Representatives is based on population, so the census impacts it by determining how much representation each state gets.
What are the 3 qualifications to be President?
1) Must be a natural-born citizen of the United States
2) Must be at least 35 years old
3) Must have lived within the United States for at least 14 years
What are the 5 obligations of government?
1) Ensure justice
2) Provide for national defense & public safety
3) Address poverty
4) Promote moral behavior
5) Provide order
What is federalism?
Federalism is the division of power between national and state levels of government.
What is it called when members of Congress obtain expensive favors for their own states?
Pork Barrel
What are the 3 ways that Congress has power to manage its own members?
1)Expel
2) Censure
3) Reprimand
What are the 2 basic purposes of primaries?
1) Open the field to more candidates
2) Make national delegate selection more democratic