Congress TEST review (chapters 5-7)

Incumbents (why are they often reelected?)
     franking priveleges, name recognition, districts remain the same
Terms of office
     (Pres =4, Rep = 2, senator = 6)
Congressional districts ( census, gerrymandering, equal vs. proportional)
Gerrymandering
Bicameral
Expressed vs Implied
Necessary and Proper Clause = Elastic Clause (article 1 section 8 clause 18)
Steps in how a bill becomes a law
     Introduced and given a number
     Assigned a committee
     debated by the entire chamber and voted on
     (goes to other chamber)
     conference committee (one bill goes to President)
     signed or vetoed by the president
         *Identify where and when a filibuster/ house rule can be used to kill a bill
quorum
caucus
censure
filibuster
cloture
Party leaders, whips (make sure party members vote for key legislation)
Types of committees (standing, select, conference)
     Rules committee in the House
     Foreign Relations in the Senate
authorization bill (pg. 191)
appropriation bill
entitlements (pg 192)

Short Answer ?s
You may come to class with the following already answered!

The names of (2) of our national legislators (of which we are constituents), one committee he is on, and one piece of legislation from that committee.

The written paragraph on "How does the Tea Party feel about the elastic clause" (Wednesday's blog post) paragraphs on:
     Regulate Interstate Commerce
     Raise and Support an Army
     Immigration and Naturalization
     Debt Ceiling

Friday's current event article

Read the following article: House Passes Spending Bill

1. According to the article, why does Obama believe passing this bill, with all it's flaws, is better than waiting until the future?

2. Is the debate on this bill over? why or why not?

3. What provision(s) (parts of) in this bill will make it's passage in the Senate difficult? Why?

Raise and Support an Army (impose a draft)

Read the following article: Conscientious Objector

1. What is Jocabrown's argument?
2. What is an easy fix?

Immigration and naturalization (set quotas on Immigrants)

Watch the following video: Abbott: Lawsuit

1. What is the lawsuit?
2. Why does Texas have standing? (ability to sue)
3. How will the court rule? justify
4. What is the solution? According to Abbott?

5. What does Abbott propose as the best solution?

Test Question: How will the court rule in the immigration case? reference the constitution in your answer. (article 1 section 8 and/or article II section 2 clause 8; oath of office and "faithfully execute laws passed by Congress)

Take notes on Chapter 5 section 3

After reading about the filibuster in the text,  read the following article: Article

Were the changes in the filibuster a good thing? Why? (evidence)

Read Chapter 5 section 2 (132-137)

Read and take notes on pages 132-137

Define:
committee work
constituents
caucus
majority leader (who is it?)
whips
bills
calendars
Rules committee (what makes it so powerful?)
Quorum

Amendment Assignment

You will be assigned one of the first 10 amendments in class on Thursday.  Be prepared to share which guaranteed right(s) are associated with your amendment along with a specific event (court case) in which that right was challenged or defined (6th amendment right to counsel in Gideon v. Wainwright)

Monday November 17th (political cartoon and executive orders)

Have an answer for the (3) tasks from Thursday's assignment (artists' bias, two perspectives, and analysis or evidence from the text supporting that perspective)

Trade papers with a partner

Partners: underline what you understand to be the bias.  Circle the (2) perspectives. Underline the examples the writer uses to analyze the author's bias/perspective.

Hand the paper  back to your partner

Executive orders

Read about executive orders on page 253 (under Tools of Influence)

What is an executive order?  Under what authority does the president claim this ability?
Why do orders upset Congress?

Listen to the following NPR broadcast: Immigrants wait to see how Obama will act

Write a brief summary about the broadcast including what Obama may or may not do and who would be affected directly.

Monday 11/10

Finish your research of a civil society group.  (work hard to find legislation your organization has supported/ fought against (i.e. the NRA blocking gun control measures))

Read and take notes on Chapter 1 section 4 (economic theories) for Wednesday.

Chapter1-section3

Read and take notes on pages 18-24

Due in class on Friday

Chapter 1 section 1

Read and take notes on Chapter 1-1 (4-11)

We will discuss those pages on Tuesday and have a quiz on Thursday.

Electoral College

Read pgs 220 - 226 and take notes

As you read you should begin to form an opinion about the original purpose of the electoral college and  it's continued usefulness.

Make a list of the elections in which the elected president lost the popular vote.  Who benefited, small or large states?  (You may need to find a map of that years vote by state.)

Read page 227 If your birthday is in January through June you will argue in favor of keeping the college.  Everyone else will argue for it's demise.  We will schedule a time to debate this topic in November

The Census,Reapportionment, and Redistricting

Read the following article: MD 3rd District

Using the information in the article and what you have read in the text, write a paragraph analyzing the political cartoon that follows (bottom image)

*Upper image is an example of a congressional district in Chicago

     A) Identify the Political Issue the Cartoon is dealing with
     B) Reference the article (Gerrymander Meander) in your analysis of the cartoon
     C) Include in your paragraph the terms (census, reapportionment, redistricting) and demonstrate an understanding of these concepts in your paragraph and analysis of the cartoon.

NPR Broadcast on independent redistricting committees: Supreme Court arguments

Article (with chart) on Gerrymandering: Washington Post

Senate Race 2014 (interactive map)

Go to the following link: MAP

What is your prediction for the 2015 Senate? Why?

Congress (Unit 2)

Read and take notes on Chapter 5 section 1 (123-130)

Be sure to define all bold face terms and terms written in blue.

Why is redistricting such an important topic of debate?

Due Tuesday

Initiative and Referendum (In Class Friday 10/17)

Read the IN CLASS handout on the initiative and referendum process

Answer the following:

Define: Initiative, referendum, legislative power, chief petitioner, petition

1. When are the election years for initiatives?

2. In a flow chart, what are the steps necessary for an initiative to reach the general election ballot?

3. What is the equation for figuring out the number of signatures necessary to have an initiative placed on the ballot?

    a.  statutory amendments # = ?% of ? ( .0? x ? = #)  How for this election year?

    b.  constitutional amendments # = ?% of ? (.0? x ? = #) How many for this election year?

Answer questions 2 and 3 for referendum.

Chapter 17-3

Influences on Voters

Read and take notes on Chapter 17 section 3

Answer questions 1-4 on page 497

ALSO: research Oregon's voter turnout  % for elections since 2000 and compare with the U.S. as a whole.

Use the following website:  Elections Project
     What do you think accounts for Oregon's percentage of voter turnout compared to the rest of the country?

Due Thursday

Oregon Voter Pamphlet 2014 Nov, 4th

Find the 2014 Oregon Voter's Pamphlet HERE

Identifying the Arguments

Document 1

John McCain, US Senator (R-AZ), stated in an article titled "On the Issues: Lobbying & Ethics Reform" on his official candidate website (accessed Jan. 8, 2008):

"Most Americans understand that competitive elections in a free country require money. Since campaigns require spending funds to communicate with voters, they know we can never take money completely out of politics, nor should we. Americans have a right to support the candidates and the parties they endorse, including financially if they so choose.

But what most Americans worry about profoundly is corporations or individuals with huge checks seeking the undue influence on lawmakers that such largesse is intended to purchase. That is why John McCain has fought to enforce long-standing prohibitions on corporate and union contributions to federal political parties, for sensible donation limits, disclosure of how candidates and campaigns are funded, and the diligent enforcement of these common sense rules that promote maximum public participation in the political process and limit opportunities for corruption."
Jan. 8, 2008 John McCain

Document 2

Bob Barr, former US House Representative (R-GA), in a July 8, 2008 article titled "Bob Barr on Brody File: McCain Can't Be Trusted on Judges" on CBNNews.com, stated:

"I know that many conservatives for example say well we have to vote for McCain even though we don't like him because he'll give us different better judges. Well, ask people to think a little bit about what they're saying. John McCain gave us McCain/Feingold [S.27 "Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2001"] which is the most anti-freedom piece of legislation in many many years. And John McCain appointed judges could be certainly expected to be of the same mindset that would support and uphold intrusion into the first amendment such as McCain Feingold."

July 8, 2008 Bob Barr

Document 3

Document 4

Ron Paul, US Representative (R-TX), stated in a Dec. 22, 2003 article titled "'Campaign Finance Reform' Muzzles Political Dissent" on his official Congressional website (Texas Straight Talk):

"In a devastating blow to political speech, the Supreme Court recently upheld most of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill passed by Congress last year. The legislation will do nothing to curb special interest power or reduce corruption in Washington, but it will make it harder for average Americans to influence government. 'Campaign finance reform' really means the bright-line standard of free speech has been replaced by a murky set of regulations and restrictions that will muzzle political dissent and protect incumbents. Justice Scalia correctly accuses the Court of supporting a law 'That cuts to the heart of what the First Amendment is meant to protect: the right to criticize the government?This is a sad day for freedom of speech.'

Two important points ignored by the Court should be made. First, although the new campaign rules clearly violate the First amendment, they should be struck down primarily because Congress has no authority under Article I of the Constitution to regulate campaigns at all. Article II authorizes only the regulation of elections, not campaigns, because our Founders knew Congress might pass campaign laws that protect incumbency. This is precisely what McCain-Feingold represents: blatant incumbent protection sold to the public as noble reform.

Second, freedom of the press applies equally to all Americans, not just the institutional, government-approved media. An unknown internet blogger, a political party, a candidate, and the New York Times should all enjoy the same right to political speech. Yet McCain-Feingold treats the mainstream press as some kind of sacred institution rather than the for-profit industry it is. Why should giant media companies be able to spend unlimited amounts of money to promote candidates and issues, while an organization you support cannot? The notion of creating a preferred class of media, with special First Amendment rights, is distinctly elitist and un-American."Dec. 22, 2003 Ron Paul

Read the above documents

1. Identify the issue

2. Fill out a T-chart listing the details of both arguments.  These documents represent opposing viewpoints on campaign finance

3. Write 2 short paragraphs referencing the documents.  Identify the details (from your chart that support the author/artists viewpoint.  Be sure to reference the document #.

a. 1 paragraph supporting finance restrictions
b. 1 paragraph eliminating restrictions

Supreme Court Prediction

After reading the Delong briefing and seeing the supreme court oral arguments write 2 paragraphs recapping what you saw and predicting the outcome of the hearing.

1. In the first paragraph discuss the history of the case.  From circuit court (first trial) to appeal to the Supreme Court of Oregon.  Include a description of how yesterdays proceedings went (timeline and structure of the arguments)

2. In the second paragraph predict the outcome of the case and how the court will rule.
    Include: How the original as well as the appeals court ruled.
                  Key words and phrases like custodial interrogation, compelling circumstance, and Miranda

Supreme Court Visit October 8th

Students and Parents… please remember to get those permission forms in by Tuesday morning so you are eligible for the field trip to Bend High.  We will be departing Summit at 920 am and returning at 1150.  Students must ride the bus!  No backpacks, purses, cell phones, or other electronic devises are permitted on the trip.  The courts' security detail has strict guidelines about what is permissible.  This is a great opportunity that may not come our way again for many years.

Oregon's Executive - Article V - The Governor

Click on the following link and scroll down to Article V

Oregon's Constitution

Answer the following questions in your notes:

1. What are the qualifications for Oregon Governor (article V section 2)
2. What powers does Article V section 14 grant the Governor
3.What powers does the Governor have to change legislation (single item veto) (section 15a)
4. What is the process for the legislature to overturn a governor's veto? (section 15b)

Elections and Voting 17-1

Read pages 475-479 and take notes.

Pay careful attention to Campaign strategy, roles within the campaign (like manager) and how ads are designed and created.

Working in groups of (4) you need to accomplish the following tasks for Monday 10/6.

    1. Decide on which Gubernatorial candidate you want to support
    2. Choose a campaign manager who will lead the group (extra credit) The manager will be responsible for overseeing the productivity of the group and bringing group members ideas together into one coherent message.
    3. Assign the remaining group members the following tasks
        a. creation of graphic organizer/ chart on your candidates stance on the issues
        b. design of graphics/setting for the TV ad you'll be creating
        c. creation of a song/jingle that voters will associate with your candidate
    4. Create a 45 second campaign TV commercial in support of your candidate.

Points/grading:
    20 points total (per member)
          1. 8 pts. clarity/accuracy of your candidates stance on the issues
          2. 4 pts, Clear focus on the issues that matter, presented in way that is convincing to voters (show understanding of what voters are looking for)
          3. 4 pts. Creativity and attractiveness of the ad (including song/jingle choice) that is appropriate for an Oregon audience
          4. 4 pts Overall presentation and appearance.

Best commercial as voted on by your peers receives extra credit!

Link to gubernatorial debate: Sunriver debate

Link to gubernatorial 2010 campaign commercial montage: videos

Supreme court visit

Read the brief on the following website:

State v. Delong

Supreme Court Visit

Click on the link below and read the Brief:

State v. Delong

If you missed class Friday you will need to do the following:

Write out the argument(s) for both sides in the case

    Why does the state say the conviction should be upheld?
    What is the defenses' argument with regards to Miranda?

Write a very brief (but through) timeline of the events in the case

Chapter 16-1 (notetaking)

Read and take notes on chapter 16 section1. If you have a preference for how you take notes continue in that style. In class on Monday and Tuesday I went over oh take outline notes. If you missed and/or have questions about notetaking please come and see me.

I will check notes from time to time to ensure compliance with the law :)

Vocabulary for Friday 9/19

Unitary vs federal
FPTP (single member districts) (election system)
Proportional (election system)
Political Party
One party system
   Theocracy
   Communism
Multiparty system
   Ideology
   Coalition government
2 party system

Democrats vs Republicans (major differences)

Register to Vote

Go to the following website to register:

Secretary of State (Oregon)

Click on <<Register to Vote on-line>>

Follow the prompts and fill in the appropriate information.

Take a screen shot (for proof) when you have successfully registered

Constitutional Concepts video ?s

Link to Video "Constitutional Concepts"

1. When were the articles of confederation written?
2. Why were they weak?
3. What was the original intent of the Philadelphia meeting?
4. Why was Washington so popular?
5. What was Madison's proposal for a national government?
6. Why was law making designed to be difficult?
7. What is proportional representation?
8. What was the connecticut compromise?

113th Congress (what's the real picture?)

Read the following article: ABC news

What does the title lead you to believe the article is about?

What evidence supports the author's claim (least productive ever)

          Quantitative                    Qualitative

Predictions about the future ( what will happen this election cycle?)

Can anyone guess why?

Chapter 16 sections 1 & 2

For Monday through Wednesday we will continue taking a look at party systems and how they work.  You need to read and outline both sections for Thursday… you may also use this time to complete your current events.

NPR Broadcast (Oregon Senate race)

Judicial Branch

This week we are looking at the judicial branch including the federal court system and the Supreme Court.  You will need to pick up worksheets in class and check out any videos / links I post if you miss class.

We will be watching "Constitutional Concepts" How one man changed the constitution in class on Wednesday.  Fast forward to minute 23.  Take notes

Read the Voter's Pamphlet

Go to the following link:

Oregon primary voter's pamphlet

Click on the following tabs:

By Friday you need to have 2-3 pages of candidate names/positions you will vote for.

Political Party statements: read through the political party platforms. Decide which party you identify more with.

Non-partisan (no party affiliation): make a list of positions that are non-partisan

Read through ALL the partisan and nonpartisan positions and candidates.  Vote for one person from each position (54th and 27th)

Republicans
     Senator (US) (5)
     Rep (US) (2)
     Governor (5)
     Rep (state) (1)

Democrats
     Senator (US) (1)
     Rep (US) (3)
     Governor (1)
     Rep (state) (1)

Measures: this should be a review from several weeks ago, make a list of measures you are looking forward to having a say on. (at least 5)

We will have a class election on Friday!

The Tea Party, The ACA and the Elastic Clause:

How does the Tea Party feel about the elastic clause?

Review the ACA (Affordable Care Act)
     - mandates that the uninsured must pay a penalty ($)
Review Article I, section 8, clause 18 of the constitution (elastic clause)
     - congress shall make all laws "necessary and proper" … (implied powers)
What is the Tea Party platform #1 (less government through less taxes)
Read the following article on John Robert's (chief justice on supreme court) ruling
     - scroll down and read the first 2 paragraphs under "Taxes and Health Reform"

Answer the above question in 1 or 2 paragraphs.  You must include in your answer the following:
     ACA (Affordable Care Act)
     John Roberts ruling
     Tea Party platform
     elastic clause
     Expressed/ implied powers of taxation

Chapter 6 section 3

Read and take notes on Chapter 6 section 3.  Create a list of all the areas where conflict may occur between the executive and legislature.

Notability Project (only if absent Tuesday 4/1)

Read the section titled "The House Rules Committee" on page 136
Create a visual project using pictures from the web and your own drawings/ ideas to illustrate the information in the section (be creative)

Chapter 5 (Congress)

Read chapter 5 section and take notes through the House of reps (127)

Chapter 3 TEST Wednesday

The following will be on the Chapter 3 Test:

Terms:
Preamble
impeachment
federalism
supremacy clause
judicial review
checks and balances
necessary and proper clause / elastic clause
popular sovereignty

Articles: you will need to be familiar all (7)

Amendments: Know your Bill of Rights
     You will also need to know the amendment process (proposal/ ratification)
     Proposed by 2/3 of both chambers of Congress - Ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures
Why is the National convention method dangerous?

Identify (3) amendments since the Bill of Rights that have made the US more democratic and explain why.  (You may come to class with these already on paper!)

Checks and Balances - you will need to know how each branch checks the other (2)

Explain the initiative process and discuss (1) proposed measure for the 2014 ballot.
      (a) define / describe the initiative process.
      (b) why is it more democratic?
      © Include the title of the measure
      (d) # of signatures required to be placed on the ballot
      (e) financial impact
      (f) brief explanation of the measure
      (g) arguments in favor
      (h) arguments against
      (You may come to class with these already on paper!)

2014 proposed ballots (potentially)

Go to the following website: Ballotopedia.org

Choose 3 potential measures from the list.  Using the 2012 Oregon voters guide as a model for your writing, create a rough outline of your potential ballot for the 2014 voters guide. Include the following information:

Ballot Title
Financial Impact
Brief summary of measure
Impact, purpose
arguments in favor (groups in support)
arguments against (groups against)

2012 Oregon voters guide

Amendments and Initiative / Referendum Process

Read pages 87-90 on amendments 11-27. When you are finished, choose 3 amendments from the chart on page 88 (One from each colored category) Using the internet, briefly research who was behind the amendments, what resistance, if any there was to it, and how long it took to ratify. (approx 20 min)

When you have completed this, pick up a packet on the initiative and referendum process. Research an initiative that a group is currently working to get on the ballot. Identify who is sponsoring the measure. (group(s) / individuals. Identify the top arguments in favor and against the measure. How many signatures will the measure need to get placed on the ballot? (need to do some math)

Link to website with initiative / referendum info

Amendments Quiz

Holiday Inn Express Quiz on the amendments Thursday!
Review the Bill of Rights (1st 10 amendments) and be prepared to defend your clients

Articles quiz Thursday!

Be prepared to identify what is found in the (7) articles of the constitution (chp 3-1)

Chapter 2 Review

Answer the following questions on page 60:

#7 recalling facts
#s 1-3 understanding concepts

Interpreting Viewpoints (pg 59)

Complete the Activity "Interpreting Points of View" on page 59 including questions 1-3. Follow the instructions for the "Application Activity". You need to read one article on both sides of the issue rather  than just one side. Include in your paragraphs (1 on each side) (1) the author's point of view (bias); (2) The author's most and least persuasive arguments; and (3) how Locke would respond based on his ideas we have already discussed in class.

Links to Editorials on the following issues: (You are not limited to these issues but please choose wisely!)

Gun Control Pro
Gun Control Con

Gay Marriage Pro
Gay Marriage Con

Articles of Confederation

You need to have notes for sections 1 and 2 of chapter 2 by now.

Guiding questions for section 3 are:
     1. What was holding the colonies together under the Articles of Confederation?
          a. How was representation apportioned?
          b. How were decisions passed / enforced?
     2. What were the weaknesses of the articles?
     3. How did the following events highlight those weaknesses?
          a. New Jersey / New York farmers imposing tariffs
          b. shay's rebellion
     4. Is there irony in the colonists' need for stronger government?

Outline 2-2

This section read like a history lesson/ review.  As you read and take notes think about the connections between enlightenment ideas and the abuses by King George outlined by the colonists.

Chapter 2 section 1

Read 2-1 and write out the definitions for the following terms:

Limited government / Magna Carta
Petition of Right
English Bill of Rights
Representative Government
Locke's, Voltaire's and Rousseau's ideas (New political Ideas)
Mayflower Compact
Great Fundamentals
Fundamental Orders of Conn.
Separation of Powers

Democracy (Characteristics and essentials)

It's Valentine's Day…love is in the air! What better way to celebrate than by making a valentine for the government you love?!

2 Things:
     A. Create a valentine for democracy by listing the 4 characteristics of Democracy outlined in your text (pgs 20-23) Include as many details as you can (it's important in a relationship!)

     B. On the back side of the paper explain the importance of the (5) essential elements of a healthy democracy (pgs. 23-24).  What does each look like in a healthy democracy?

Types of Government

In class on Thursday, students worked in small groups to build a community based on one of 3 types of government (autocracy, oligarchy, democracy).  Groups will share and then turn in their products on Friday Feb 14th (Valentine's Day)

Students not in class on Thursday need to pick up a worksheet when they return to complete outside of class.

1-2 notes

Take notes on chapter 1 section 2 for Wednesday (through the 3rd sub section "politics and gov")

Note Taking

You will need to take notes on the readings I assign you out of the book.  I will go over those in class on Thursday.  If you miss you will need to come in and see me at lunch Monday next week so I can go over the process with you.

Cornell (variation)

I.
   A.
      1.
         a.
            i.

Leave 2" in the left hand column go back and summarize during class.

Tuesday Jan, 21

Read Chapter 18-1 and answer the review questions page 507 (#s 1-7)

Read pages 508-509 on lobbyists.  Write a brief "day-in-the-life" of a lobbyist once you get a feel for what it is they do. (2-3 paragraphs)

Read Chapter 16-2

Answer questions 2-5 (review) page 462

Complete "Concepts in Action"
Write a 2 paragraph argument supporting your side

Campaigns (financing ads)

LINK to CSPAN interview

Chapter 16

Read Chapter 16 section 1(453) and answer the review questions on page 457.

Also answer the following:
1.  Why were Washington and Madison fearful of "factions" (political parties)?
2.  What type of 3rd party is the "Libertarian" party classified as?  What do you think the Tea Party is?
3.  What type of parties prefer proportional representation systems?  why?

For Tuesday