Government Spending
What is a budget deficit?
An excess of federal expenditures over federal reserves.
What does the General Welfare Clause allow the government to do?
Enact laws to promote the general welfare of the people (aka, the public)
Name 2 roles that the President plays in the US? (Could be formal or informal)
Head of State, Chief Executive, Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief (of Armed Forcers), Chief Legislator, Political Party Leader, Head Campaigner
In the Senate:
1) how long is the term of a Senators?
2) how many members are there?
3) who is the leader of the Senate?
1) terms last 6 years
2) 100 (2 for each state. 50 x 2 = 100)
3) Majority Leader (currently Chuck Schumer D-NY; formerly Mitch McConnell R-KY)
Does the Department of Education primarily address state issues or national issues?
State
What is an example of discretionary spending and mandatory spending?
Discretionary Spending = spending on these items is a choice. Ex: science, infrastructure, agriculture
Mandatory Spending = government MUST spend money on these. Ex: social safety net spending, net interest on the debt
What does Federalist 70 argue for?
"Energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good government" = single executive
How is an Executive Agreement different than an Executive Order?
Executive Agreement: similar to a treaty but is not approved by the Senate. President negotiates an agreement with other country (ies). But like the Executive Order, the next president can overturn it. (Ex: Paris Climate Accords - Obama joined, Trump pulled out, Biden rejoined)
Executive Order = implied from the president’s vested executive power or from power delegated by Congress, executive orders allow the president to manage the federal government. Have the force of law but can be overturned by a later president. (Biden signing an E.O. to make government a net-zero emitter by 2050)
In the House of Representatives:
1) how long is the term of a Representative?
2) how many members are there?
3) who is the leader of the House of Representatives?
1) two year terms
2) 435 (each state has a different number of representatives based on population)
3) Speaker of the House (currently Kevin McCarthy R-CA)
What is political ideology?
A certain set of ethical ideals, principals, doctrines, myths or symbols of a social movement, institution, class or large group that explains how society should work and offers some political and cultural blueprint for a certain social order. Also known as Political Beliefs/Views.
What is the difference between monetary and fiscal policy?
Monetary Policy = Changing interest rates and the supply of money in the economy.
Fiscal Policy = The use of the federal budget, through taxes, borrowing and spending to influence the economy.
What is the Commerce Clause?
What is a presidential veto?
President's refusal to sign a bill to prevent it from becoming law. (However, a president's veto can be overridden with a 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate)
What can members of the House of Representatives do if they are concerned about a Department in the federal government?
They can hold a hearing and subpoena high-level officials.
What is federalism?
A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have formal authority the same land and the same people. It is a system of shared power between units of government.
What is the process called we use last year's budget, plus a little more, to make this year's budget?
Incrementalism
What does the 22nd Amendment prohibit?
The president being elected to more than 2 terms.
When are presidents inclined to use executive orders?
When Congress cannot compromise
What best describes bureaucratic rule-making?
Guidelines issues by government agencies, which provide specific details about how a policy will be implemented.
What is a Constitutional Democracy?
A system of government based on popular sovereignty in which the structures, powers, and limits of government are set forth in a constitution.
What is the difference between Supply-Side economics and Keynesian economics?
Supply-side = Economic Theory holding that when the economy is weak, the government should cut taxes so the wealthy spend more money and the benefits trickle down to others. Favored by conservatives.
Keynesian = Economic theory holding that the government should spend money when the economy is weak. Spend on public works, payments to citizens. Favored by liberals.
What was the effect of the 16th Amendment?
"The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration" = allowed to provide for a federal income tax
During which presidency did the Supreme Court rule that executive privilege is not unlimited?
Nixon. U.S. v. Nixon, 1974 ruled that Nixon must hand over tape recordings and other subpoenaed materials to a federal district court.
What is an example of political patronage?
Nominating a campaign donor to an ambassadorship
What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
Medicare = healthcare for the elderly
Medicaid = healthcare for low-income