Legislative Branch
What is the role of the legislative branch?
Create laws
Power of the purse
What is the role of the executive branch?
Enforce laws
Power of the sword
What is the role of the judicial branch
Interpret/verify constitutional validity of laws.
Power of judgement
In the film Nosferatu, what is the name of the count seeking a manor in Germany?
Count Orlok
Which club has won the Meisterschale this year?
Bayern Munchen
Describe the composition of the legislative branch
2 houses, house of representatives and the senate.
House of Reps - Chosen by popular vote in state elections, with each state getting a certain # of representatives based on their population. All bills involving funding/money must start here.
Senate - Chosen by popular vote in state elections, with each state getting 2 senators, regardless of population size. Responsible for confirmations of key positions, among other responsibilities.
Describe the composition of the executive branch
President and Vice President, elected through electoral college.
Enforce laws through 15 federal departments, led by members of the presidential cabinet and confirmed by the senate.
Describe the composition of the judicial branch
Supreme Court and lower federal courts.
9 Supreme Court justices, appointed by president and ratified by senate. Life term.
What crisis happened literally less than 3 weeks ago that brought the world close to the first usage of a nuclear weapon since WWII?
India and Pakistan Kashmir Conflict
Which clubs will be in the champions league final, and what clubs did each eliminate to reach the final? Include the aggregate scores for each matchup for the maximum points
Inter Milan eliminated FC Barcelona (7-6 aggregate)
PSG eliminated Arsenal (3-1 aggregate)
Define the following two terms (150 pts each)
Pork Barrel Spending
Logrolling
Pork Barrel Spending - Use of government funds for pet projects in home states in hopes of winning votes/pleasing voters
Logrolling - The practice of exchanging favors, especially in politics , by voting for each other's proposed legislation
What are the constitutional requirements to be president, and why were they all implemented?
1. Natural Born Citizen
2. At least 35 years old
3. 14 years as a resident
Why: Leaders were fearful of foreign powers interfering with US politics and installing a leader favorable to their own interests (common during this period: "War of X Succession")
What are the 3 major influences defining the rules of the judicial branch?
1. Article III, US Constitution
2. Federalist 78
3. Court Case - Marbury v Madison
Name at least 3 villains in the Wallace and Gromit universe. (need all 3 for any points)
Mr. Penguin
Preston - The Robot Dog
The Bake-O-Lite Girl (Piella)
Lord Victor - The Exterminator
What does the term CANZUK mean?
The proposed supernational organization aligning Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand on free trade, free movement of peoples, and foreign policy alignment.
Define the term "filibuster", and explain how filibusters affect US politics.
To end a debate on a law/confirmation, senate requires a vote of 60 people to cut off the debate period.
Additionally, someone can simply stay on the debate floor for an indefinite time (as long as they are still debating the topic) without break to delay a vote/confirmation.
Filibusters delay bills/confirmations from occurring, and additionally provide added attention to key bills/confirmations for the American public.
Explain the 22nd and 25th amendment (200 points each)
22nd - Establishes a two term limit on those elected president
25th - Clarifies and formalizes that Vice president becomes president if the president dies, resigns, is removed from office by impeachment, or is physically unable to serve.
Define the two terms:
Constitutional Validity
Precedence
Constitutional Validity: The extent to which a law/government action follows the US constitution
Precedence: When courts follow previous court decisions, using them as evidence to inform current rulings
How many marshals did Napoleon appoint during his time as emperor of the French?
26
Who is considered the father of modern military engineering?
Sebastien Le Prestre, Marquis of Vauban
What are the 7 steps (simplified) for a bill becoming a law?
1. Bill is introduced in the house or senate
2. Bill is sent to comittee for hearings
3. Bill is debated on floor
4. Bill is voted on, and if it passes the vote...
5. Bill is sent to other chamber
6. Repeat steps 1-4 in other chamber
7. If bill passes both chambers, bill is sent to the president to sign (becomes law) or veto (remains bill, needs a revote/rework)
What are the 7 primary roles of the president?
1. Chief Legislator: Vetoes bills, issues exec. orders
2. Commander in Chief: Chief of the armed forces, can ask congress to declare war
3. Chief of State: Greets and entertains foreign leaders
4. Chief Diplomat: Makes foreign policy
5. Chief Executive: Appoints thousands of officials
6. Economic Planner: Submits and prepares federal budget
7. Political Party Leader: Supports party candidates for office
Describe both the major historical and contemporary arguments regarding the role of the Judicial Branch.
Historical - Federalist 78: Brutus v Hamilton
Brutus said the judicial branch is too powerful (unelected officials with life terms), whereas Hamilton says this branch should be assigned the most power b/c this branch is inherently not very powerful (legislative branch has the purse, executive branch has the sword)
Contemporary - Judicial Activism vs Judicial Restraint
Judicial Activism: Judges need to think about societal implications of their rulings, not just what is stated in the constitution.
Judicial Restraint: Judges need to think only about constitutional validity for court cases, as they were not elected to create major societal changes
What is the name of the program developing Europe's next generation of fighter jets and autonomous military technologies?
FCAS (Future Combat Air System)
Why is Michael Jordan clearly not the GOAT? (At least 2 of the listed reasons
1. Played in an insular era (basketball was not a globalized sport. Most would agree at least 3 of the top 5 players right now aren't even american).
2. Basketball is an inherently insular sport (restricts literally 96% of people [conservative estimate] from playing based on average minimum height required to play competitively [6 foot 2 inches]
3. WAY overblown mentality (punching your teammates does not equal crazy will to win. It means your an unstable person incapable of controlling your emotions)
4. Way better competition. Messi, even the horse secretariat are way better options for this title...
5. Legacy diefied by a simple Nike gimick. He was glazed to sell shoes. Yes he was good. But Jesus in basketball shoes? Do you understand how stupid and ridiculous that sounds