Federalism

Unit 2

Journal 9/6

Chapter 3 of your text opens with a question posed by a Utah congressman; “who is the sovereign, the state or the federal government?”

How would you answer this question? Think about the 9th and 10th Amendments, the Supremacy Clause (6.1), the necessary and proper clause (8.1), etc…

Why Bother?•Fear

▫Federalism is a compromise▫The Constitution, not the central gov’t would

reign supreme•Unity

▫Confederalism is a lack of unity▫Unitary is TOO MUCH

•“…A republic if you can keep it”

The Problem With Feds Is…•Federalism requires all people to

accept the dominance of one document▫Difficult in diverse areas…

Iraq India Former USSR Pakistan

•Nation-Centered Federalism•State-Centered Federalism •Dual Federalism

Journal 9/10

What will you be paying attention to in the upcoming election? Why?

Journal 9/17

Look at the chart on page 80. What is this telling you? Consider what you know, think you know, have heard about these different ‘programs’; it this money well spent? Explain. Is there something NOT ON THIS CHART you would give money to in the states?

Read 82-89 and answer the FRQA. In what ways have the states “gotten

around” the feds to get things done for their constituents?

B. What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause? Explain how this clause is necessary for the preservation of a federal form of gov’t vs. a confederal form.

Journal 9/201) What is Gerrymandering?2) Why do states do this?3) What rule(s) do states have to follow when

redistricting? 4) Why is this controversial?

The CongressUnit 3

Journal 10/4

It is a well known fact that, especially in the House, the incumbent in an election will win most of the time; if the free and frequent exchange of new ideas is a key aspect of a democracy…how democratic is a likely incumbent victory?

Congressional OversightOversight: Check on the exce. branch that congressional

programs are being implemented appropriately.

a. Gov’t Accountability Office (GAO)1.2.

b. Committee Hearings1. 2.3.

c. Budget! Control!1.2.

Clips1.Clip: Automotive Industry

2. http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/02/politics/contempt-vote-political-

survival/index.html3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=YD9sz8rvheI&list=PLdd7CkXOH44xvWC933dXQgtJymtMVJgFH&index=1&feature=plpp_video

Start on page 3111. What does it mean that priorities are reflected

by the budget?2. What happens to the budget when the congress

and the White House are different parties?3. Explain 2 characteristics of budgeting. Why are

budgets incremental?4. Is it ok for there to be exceptions to the budget

process? Explain.5. Should the budget ne scrutinized more so than

other bills? Explain.6. Who/what sets the rules for the budget process?7. Explain the problems with the budget process.

Journal 10/9

On page 314 the book says competition AND civility are important in congress; do you agree? Explain.

PS I’m not going to tell you what these words mean. If you don’t know them, which is fine, LOOK THEM UP.

Start on page 314Create a brochure for new members of congress

with these headings and answering these questions:1) How should I vote?2) How should I conduct business?

--Talk about logrolling and specializing3) Should I form alliances (or get kicked off the isle?)?

--importance of personal friends and PACs4) Media?! Use it? Or Beware? 5) How do I manage my time? When do I use my staff.

Each section of your brochure must include one of the following; a chart or graph, a picture, an historical example from US gov’t

The Man…or woman? Maybe? Someday?

•Qualifications ▫1▫2▫3

•Experience ▫Lincoln v Buchanan and Johnson▫Obama ▫Adamses▫Second term

•Perks and Pay (328)

Journal 10/15

Read the excerpt from Bill Moyer’s Journal. What does Bacevich mean by imperial presidency? Why is it significant to him that power is shifting to the executive branch and how is this happening?

You can use 326 of your book to help you a little…

The Personal President•Teddy Roosevelt

(Square Deal…)▫Bully Pulpit: ▫Domestic Policy

Anti-Trust Consumer Protection Conservation

▫Foreign Policy S-A War Paternalism

•FDR (New Deal…)▫Public Policy▫Fireside Chat

•JFK (New Frontier…)•Presidential

debate•Young Advisors•A New Image

FRQ (2011)•The Constitution of the United States creates a

government of separate institutions that share power rather than a government that delegates power exclusively to a single branch. Frequently, this means that presidents and Congress struggle with each other.

For each of the presidential powers below, explain one way that congressional decision making is affected by that power.• Veto power• Power to issue executive orders• Power as commander in chief

FRQ (2011)•The Constitution of the United States creates a

government of separate institutions that share power rather than a government that delegates power exclusively to a single branch. Frequently, this means that presidents and Congress struggle with each other.

•For each of the congressional powers below, explain one way that presidential decision making is affected by that power.▫Legislative oversight power▫Senate advice and consent power▫Budgetary power