Show:
Declaration/Constitution
Congress
Senate
Describe/DiscussDe
Misc
100
What enlightment ideas were expressed in the Declaration of INdependence? #23
"Self-evident truths'; equality and rights of men; the right of men to alter or abolish government(sovereignity of the people instead of the rulers)
100
What are some resons why Congress is a bicameral legislature? #30
The tradition of the British Parliamnet and the colonial governements; the two houses represented teh people adn the states; they serve as a check on unwise legislation.
100
Describe the advice and consent role of the Senate. #33
The Senate must approve Presidential nominations and must ratify treaties that the President makes with other countries.
100
Describe the work of congressional commitee. #39
If considers bills that have been introduced and votes on whethr a bill should be considered by the entire body. It investigates topics of interest and hears from administration officials.
100
Describe the religious beliefs of the Founding Fathers. #28
Several were strong believers , whle a few were skeptics.
200
What two changes in American thinking were reflected in the Declaration of INdependence? #24
Thinking themselvesas Americans and not British; thinking of themselves as unified country instead of as citzens of particular colonies.
200
How does the right to demand a quorum help the minority party in Congress? #34
It can force the body to take action (or at least to meet)
200
What are some of the things that a Congressman or Senator does in his job? #36
Considers and votes on legislation; meets iwth Congressional committees; stays in touch with constituents; helps constituents who have problems; travels overses; raisers funds to run for re-election
200
Describe the positive and negative effects of lobbyists. #42
Lobbyists can provide helpful inofrmation to memebers of Congress; but they can make special interest groups too powerful and they cna make the influence of money too great.
200
What is one way members of Congress help each other to get bills passed and to help their home states and districts? #44
They sometimes trade votes. (If you vote for my bill, i'll vote for yours)
300
What are some reasons why the Constitution has lasted so long an has worked as well as it has? #26
The framers created a document that could be flexible in changing cirecumstances; they tried to make the will of hte people paramount; they tried to limit what governement could do; the Consitution is based on fairness and equality; the Americna people have not wanted to change their government lighly.
300
What are the pros and cons of each chamber of Congress judging the fitness of its own members? #35
Pro - The houses of Congress are not dependent on the President or the ourst to approve their members. Con - Ech chamber can get cozy about accepting their own. Other answers are possible
300
What are pros and cons of term limits? #37
Pros - Term limits remove some of the power of incumbents in Congress and elections; they enable the ideal of citizen=legislators. Cons - Incumbents can help their constituents more; every election is an opportunity to limit an incumbetn's term; holding an office should not disqualify someone from being elected to it.,
300
Discuss the significance of the "Necessary and Proper" clause. #46
It enables Congress to be flexible, but it also has allowed Congress to venture far and wide in matters about which it legislates.
300
Why did James Madison say in The Federalist Number 44 that the amount of power granted to the Federal government in the Constitution was proper?
It wsa necessary for the needs of the Union and to maintain the Union.
400
What is the significance of the fact tht the Constitution is written in the name of "We the people:? #29
The Constitution was written in the nme of the people, not a king or a particular class; it is a covenant among the people and between the people and the government; 'the people' are a broad spectrum of backgrounds and interests.
400
What are the three options that the President has when Congress passes a bill and sends it to him? #43
To sign it, to veto it and send it back to Congress, or to keep it and not sign it (a pocket veto)
400
What are the four forms that proposed legislation can take? #40
Bill, joint resolution, concurrent resolution, simple resolution.
400
Describe what a ex post facto law is? #47
A law that declares an act to be a crime after it has taken place.
400
What dos the phrase 'high crimes and misdemeanors ' mean? #49
It is a matter of some debate. Some say it means any indictable offense, while others say thaqt it refers to failings wiht regard to the official's responsibilities in office.
500
How has the choosing of Senators changed since the Constitution was first adopted, and why? #32
Senators were first chosen by state legislatures, but now they ar popularly elected. The trend in Amerian thinking was for greater representation by the people.
500
How is the power of the majority a political party in Congress demonstrated? #38
The majority in the House selects the Speaker; the majority party in each chambe selects committee chairmanships. These roles stongly inlfuence what legistlation is considered.
500
What is the difference between authorization and appropriation bills? #41
An authorization creates a program, while an approprition gives it money to spend.
500
Discuss the difference between a budget deficit and the national debt? # 45
A budget deficit is the amount that the government spends beyond its revenues; the nationl debt is the accumulation of budger deficits.
500
What is the difference between the terms republic and democracy? not on final exam
rep - a representative government that gives sovereignty to those who take part in passing laws and carrying out other functions of government dem - government by all the people (or all who can vote) , all of whom take part in passing laws and carrying out other functions of government