Politico AP Government Test Prep #9

May 12,2012

1. There are two types processes the Supreme Court uses when deciding on a case and they are original jurisdiction and apellate jurisdiction. Original jurisdiction is when is the first and only court to hear the case. Apellate jurisdiction is when the Supreme Court rules how the lower courts have ruled on the particular case.

2. Interest groups affect the way in which the entire government works, including the President and Congress. They affect the entire presidency as a whole and the president is who selects the Supreme Court justices.

3. I would say our Supreme Court is above politicos because, the justices serve a life time for a reason. They do not have to agree with what society believes is correct, they decide if it is constitutionally correct. If society disagrees there is nothing they can do that will affect a justices term on the supreme court. In any other branch of government you serve a term for a certain amount of years.

4.  I enjoyed this article very much and I though it was very helpful in preparing for the test. It taught me more about the Supreme Court that i had not known before. If I was a Supreme Court Justice I would pass the law because I believe it is constitutionally correct and it does not go against the constitution at all.

Politico AP Government Test Prep #8

May 10, 2012

1. I believe the presiential role as Commander in Chief is most important because it shows the presidents ability to react in a time of need. Even though we are not always in war and this power may not need to be used, it shows how valuable his role as the president is. Americans trust the President to lead the country in something as risky as war.

2. I believe the presidential role as chief of party is the least important role becuase the president is only working with his political party. Working with his political party does not affect the rest of the country.

3. When political scientists claim modern presidents are on a "continuous campaign" it means the president is trying to please the public in order to get re-elected. The president must be careful because if he does anything to drastic he/she might hurt their chances of getting re-elected.

4. I really enjoyed this politico article because it showed just how competitive this presidential campaign is getting. Both sides will do whatever it takes to unltimately win the presidency. I think the framers would be shocked by the modern presidency because it is not what they had intended. When the framers wrote the Constitution they believed Congress would be the leader of government, having the most power. But today, the modern presidency is the leader of our government. But just as times have changed, so most our government.

Politico AP Government Test Prep #7

May 9, 2012

1. The greatest advantages of federalism is even though we have fifty states and people are from all different parts of the country we all live under the same form of government. States are given powers under which their particular state must follow, but our national government over looks everything. Some disadvantages are the amount of power the federal government has over the states. Often times local issues in particular states get brushed aside to the national problems. There also is so much competition between states for federal funding because there isn;t enough money to go around.

2. Some powers the federal government has over the state is having a uniform currency that is used in every state, having a one national military, the power to declare war and to levy taxes. 

3. Some powers that have increased the states authority over national programs is each state having its own local police enforcement and each state running their own education system.

4. I would side with Arizona in this Supreme Court case, that they did not overstep their authority over the ordeal with illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrantion has been growing in America and it has become too much for the federal government to regulate. If each state regulated it, there would be alot less illegal immigrants in the United States. I believe they do have the right to place these people in jail until they give proof of their freedom to be here.

Politico AP Government Test Prep #6

May 8, 2012

1. Governmental farm subsidies were first used to prevent the surplus of crops being produced.  The government would pay farmers for the surplus of the crops with money from the peoples taxes.

2. Other American industries are subsidized by the federal government are labor subsidies, infrastructure subsidies and export subsidies (trade promotion).

3.  Some techniques interest groups use in shaping public policy is endorsing celebrities to their interest groups in order to get the public attracted. Celebrities draw the public in. They also give away things to members of their interest groups, to gain more support.

4. This article was interesting because I didn't know much about governmental subsidies, but it has been my least favorie article thus far. I think passing policy changes is more difficult than implementing it because it takes so much time for the House, Senate and the President to agree on the same bill. When a bill actually is passed, it is usually something people really want and it was unanimous agreement.

Politico AP Government Test Prep #5

May 7, 2012

1. The Demographic of  the 112th Congress is  a m ajority Republican in the House (241 Republican, 198 Democrat, 2 vacant seats) and a slim Democratic Majority in Senate (47 Republican, 51 Democrat, 2 Independant).

2.  Most bills begin in the House and then are taken and reviewed by the Senate. Together the House and Senate must agree on a bill before it is sent to the President for approval. If the House and Senate can not agree, the bill goes to the conference committee and then both houses must approve of the changes. Once approved it is take to the president.

3. The Senate has the power to declare war, work with America's foreign policy and make treaties. All three of these powers are not shared with the House.

4. Personally i like every politico article because it teaches me more about government that i had not known before. I also like to read about things that we have previously talked about in class. My strategy for congressional freshmen would be for them to make it know what they have done while in office. Point out your positives to prove to the people your the right candidate

Politico AP Government Test Prep #4

May 7, 2012

1. In order to have a successful presidential campaign you must get your name out to the public, let the people know you are interested in running for the presidency. Once your name is out their to the public you must prove you are a viable candidate by doin things like scheduling press confrences and giving speeches. In order to do all this you must have a campaign team.

2.  Campaigns have changed from being party centered to now being candidate centered due to the fact that people have much more of say. Not only do people vote for the president, they vote for the candidate they want to represent their party in the presidential election. Before, candidates were chosen to run for the presidency by heads of their political party.

3. Having party supporters select their candidate is a positive because the people have to freedom to do something or their government. By sleecting the candidate you are placing your trust and support in that particular candidate to potentially lead this country. It is a negative because party loyalist tend to be the only people who vote in primaries, therefore the moderates of the political party may not agree with the views of the loyalist causing a break in the party.

4. I enjoyed this political article because it gave me alot of insight into the voting process towards the presidency. I dont believe candidates should be held responsible for their non paid supporters comments because a candidate cant control who supports him/her and what they say. Judge the candidate by what they say not his/her supporters. 

Politico AP Government Test Prep #3

May 3, 2012

1. The number of swing voters is "as small as ever" this year due to the fact that the Republican party and Democratic party are more split then ever. Their views on issues are totally different therefore, the country is encouraged to pick aside based on what they agree with.  
2. Demographic factors that influence voter behavior and public opinion is the area which you live and the groups which you associate you with. Also race, social class and gender also play a huge factor in they way which you will vote.
3. Candidates use the political message of equality of men and women and equality of education for all children to attract suburban women.
4. I really enjoyed this politico article because it shows just how close this presidential race will be. It will be up to the swing voters as to who will win the 2012 presidential election. I believe the Democratic Party will attract more swing voters because the Republican Party was so torn through out the primary season. Which makes me believe it is going to be very hard for them to come together during the presidential election.