"Watch Film: A Fierce Green Fire." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.In this documentary, "A Fierce Green Fire," different environmental movements are featured in order to project the severity of our acts and their consequences on the environment/health of the human race. Separated into five separate acts, the movement of the 1960s and the Sierra club's fight against dams in the Grand Canyon are featured in Act 1, pollution in the 1970s and victims of the Love Canal are featured in Act 2, Greenpeace and its campaigns to halt whale hunting is featured in Act 3, the effort to save the Amazon Rainforest and the rise in global resource crises are charted in act 4, and finally climate change is discussed in Act 5.
"Green Student U." Green Student U RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.This article defines different types of pollution, their effects on the environment, and how we can take steps to reduce pollution. This article is helpful because it gives specific statistics to accompany reasons to fix pollution, and is very informative.
"What Is Recycling?" Benefits of Recycling. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.This article defines recycling and its important role in the effort to conserve and reuse resources. The article also describes scenarios and places in which recycling can take effect, such as schools, work offices, and more. Many recycling programs have already been created and adopted by such organizations and are encouraged to be taken seriously.
I would like to see people recycle their waste (if recyclable)because it takes little to no effort, but makes a very lasting impact. I would also like to see the world lessen greenhouse gasses by cutting back on automobile transportation and placing limits on factory CO2 emissions.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Essay 20
In the 1990’s presidential election campaigns have become more candidate centered and less focused on issues and party labels. The change has been attributed both to how the media cover presidential campaigns and to how candidates use the media. Two ways in which the media have contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns include coverage on the backgrounds of candidates as well as candidate sound bites.
The media tends to focus less on issues and more on the personalities and backgrounds of the candidates because it interests the public more and receives higher viewer ratings. Sound bytes have also become more popular. These are brief recorded statements by the candidate that seek to summarize the most important part of the whole message, or capture the most interesting quote to grab the audience's attention. You cannot talk about an entire policy issue within the space of a few seconds.
Two ways in which the candidate's use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns include negative ad campaigns against the character of the opposing candidate and the president's use of the media to promote good deeds he/she performs for the community.
(1999_1)In the 1990’s presidential election campaigns have become more candidate centered and less focused on issues and party labels. The change has been attributed both to how the media cover presidential campaigns and to how candidates use the media. Identify and explain two ways in which the media have contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns. Identify and explain two ways in which presidential candidates’ use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_gov_pol_us_99.up_7047.pdf
The media tends to focus less on issues and more on the personalities and backgrounds of the candidates because it interests the public more and receives higher viewer ratings. Sound bytes have also become more popular. These are brief recorded statements by the candidate that seek to summarize the most important part of the whole message, or capture the most interesting quote to grab the audience's attention. You cannot talk about an entire policy issue within the space of a few seconds.
Two ways in which the candidate's use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns include negative ad campaigns against the character of the opposing candidate and the president's use of the media to promote good deeds he/she performs for the community.
(1999_1)In the 1990’s presidential election campaigns have become more candidate centered and less focused on issues and party labels. The change has been attributed both to how the media cover presidential campaigns and to how candidates use the media. Identify and explain two ways in which the media have contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns. Identify and explain two ways in which presidential candidates’ use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_gov_pol_us_99.up_7047.pdf
Essay 19
National interest groups often target national-level policymaking institutions to achieve their policy objectives. The NAACP for example, often targets the judicial courts by means of litigation to achieve their goals. The legal defense fund for the NAACP selected the case of Linda Brown in 1945. Brown was an African American student required by law to attend a segregated school. Thee law was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court because it violated the 14th amendment's guarantee of equal protection.
The NAACP is likely to target the judiciary branch because they can make a strong case with the help of the freedom rights in the constitution against any sort of segregation or unfairness based on color. In addition, "the NAACP is frequently asked to submit Amicus Briefs in civil rights cases, regarding a number of varied legal issues. Many of these issues go directly to the heart of the NAACP's mission and work. Below is a partial list of significant Amicus Briefs the NAACP has filed over the last two years" (www.NAACP.org)
Select one of the following national interest groups.
- AARP
- AMA (Medical Association
- NAACP
- NAM (national assoc. of Manufacturers)
For the group you selected do each of the following.
- a identify one major national-level policymaking institution that this group targets.
- b describe one resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a)
- c describe another resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a).
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/us-gov-released-exam-1999.pdf
The NAACP is likely to target the judiciary branch because they can make a strong case with the help of the freedom rights in the constitution against any sort of segregation or unfairness based on color. In addition, "the NAACP is frequently asked to submit Amicus Briefs in civil rights cases, regarding a number of varied legal issues. Many of these issues go directly to the heart of the NAACP's mission and work. Below is a partial list of significant Amicus Briefs the NAACP has filed over the last two years" (www.NAACP.org)
Select one of the following national interest groups.
- AARP
- AMA (Medical Association
- NAACP
- NAM (national assoc. of Manufacturers)
For the group you selected do each of the following.
- a identify one major national-level policymaking institution that this group targets.
- b describe one resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a)
- c describe another resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen and explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a).
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/us-gov-released-exam-1999.pdf
Essay 18
Over the last several decades,the composition of the Democratic and Republican parties has changed in important ways. A major partisan shift has occurred in the South, but other demographic changes have also been identified. Changes in party composition are reflected at different rates in presidential elections than in congressional elections.
One specific trend identified in the graph above is that the percentage of electoral votes for democrats trends downward. From 1948 to 2000, Southern voters elected Democratic candidates to Congress more frequently than they elected Democratic candidates to the presidency. This was due to the incumbency advantage as well as Gerrymandering. District lines created safe seats/majority minority districts, which protected Democratic seats even though there were more Republican voters in statewide presidential elections.
Several other changes in party composition have emerged in the past few decades. For example, Catholics and Labor Union Members have become less reliable Democratic voters. Labor Union Members, specifically, have decreased in number and thus there are fewer Democratic supporters.
Women, in contrast, have become more reliable Democratic voters. They have increased in number and thus there are more Democratic supporters.Social conservatives were previously nonexistent and have now crystallized to become more reliable Republican voters as well.
Over the last several decades,
the composition of the Democratic and Republican parties has changed in
important ways. A major partisan shift has occurred in
the South, but other demographic changes have also
been identified. Changes in party composition are reflected
at different rates in presidential elections than
in congressional elections.
(a) Identify one specific trend evident in the figure above.
(b) Choose two of the following and use each to explain why southern voters from 1948
to 2000 were electing
Democratic candidates to Congress more frequently than choosing
Democratic candidates for the
presidency.
•
Incumbency advantage
•
Gerrymandering
•
Differences between state and national parties
(c) Several other changes in party
composition have emerged in the past few decades. Select three of the
following groups and for each explain how parties have changed in composition with respect to that group.
•
Catholics
•
Labor union members
•
Women
•
Social conservatives
One specific trend identified in the graph above is that the percentage of electoral votes for democrats trends downward. From 1948 to 2000, Southern voters elected Democratic candidates to Congress more frequently than they elected Democratic candidates to the presidency. This was due to the incumbency advantage as well as Gerrymandering. District lines created safe seats/majority minority districts, which protected Democratic seats even though there were more Republican voters in statewide presidential elections.
Several other changes in party composition have emerged in the past few decades. For example, Catholics and Labor Union Members have become less reliable Democratic voters. Labor Union Members, specifically, have decreased in number and thus there are fewer Democratic supporters.
Women, in contrast, have become more reliable Democratic voters. They have increased in number and thus there are more Democratic supporters.Social conservatives were previously nonexistent and have now crystallized to become more reliable Republican voters as well.
Over the last several decades,
the composition of the Democratic and Republican parties has changed in
important ways. A major partisan shift has occurred in
the South, but other demographic changes have also
been identified. Changes in party composition are reflected
at different rates in presidential elections than
in congressional elections.
(a) Identify one specific trend evident in the figure above.
(b) Choose two of the following and use each to explain why southern voters from 1948
to 2000 were electing
Democratic candidates to Congress more frequently than choosing
Democratic candidates for the
presidency.
•
Incumbency advantage
•
Gerrymandering
•
Differences between state and national parties
(c) Several other changes in party
composition have emerged in the past few decades. Select three of the
following groups and for each explain how parties have changed in composition with respect to that group.
•
Catholics
•
Labor union members
•
Women
•
Social conservatives
Essay 17
The federal bureaucracy as part of the executive branch exercises substantial independence in implementing government policies and programs. Most workers in the federal bureaucracy are civil-service employees who are organized under a merit system.
One characteristic of the merit system is that hiring or promotion is based upon a persons experience and qualifications, or even testing. This allows for the most suited individual to gain the position rather than other systems where people simply move up the ranks.
A few factors that contribute to bureaucratic independence include the structure of the bureaucracy and the complexity of public policy issues. The structure is very large (There is power in numbers) and contains specialized units, therefore they can exercise discretion in areas that congress is less able to and be more independent in making decisions. The fact that positions held in the bureaucracy are merit based also increases independence. As for policy issues, the same holds true that the president and congress often dump responsibility on the specialized areas of the bureaucracy because they cannot handle everything, and that they may exercise discretion.
There are constitutional provisions that are able to check the bureaucracy, however. For example, Congress can implement appropriations on an agency and therefore increase the pressure to comply by the threat of a punishment or the promise of a reward. Congress can also pass legislation that can affect the bureaucracy and the decisions it makes. Similarly, courts have the power to declare bureaucratic actions unconstitutional. In addition, interest groups can lobby, protest, or use litigation against the bureaucracy in order to prevent their actions.
2. The federal bureaucracy as part of the executive br
anch exercises substantial independence in implementing
governmental policies and programs. Most workers in th
e federal bureaucracy are civil-service employees who
are organized under a merit system.
(a) Describe one key characteristic of the merit system.
(b) For each of the following, describe one factor
that contributes to bur
eaucratic independence.
•
The structure of the federal bureaucracy
•
The complexity of public policy problems
(c) For each of the following, explain one Constitutional
provision that it can use to check the bureaucracy.
•
Congress
•
The courts
•
Interest groups
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf
One characteristic of the merit system is that hiring or promotion is based upon a persons experience and qualifications, or even testing. This allows for the most suited individual to gain the position rather than other systems where people simply move up the ranks.
A few factors that contribute to bureaucratic independence include the structure of the bureaucracy and the complexity of public policy issues. The structure is very large (There is power in numbers) and contains specialized units, therefore they can exercise discretion in areas that congress is less able to and be more independent in making decisions. The fact that positions held in the bureaucracy are merit based also increases independence. As for policy issues, the same holds true that the president and congress often dump responsibility on the specialized areas of the bureaucracy because they cannot handle everything, and that they may exercise discretion.
There are constitutional provisions that are able to check the bureaucracy, however. For example, Congress can implement appropriations on an agency and therefore increase the pressure to comply by the threat of a punishment or the promise of a reward. Congress can also pass legislation that can affect the bureaucracy and the decisions it makes. Similarly, courts have the power to declare bureaucratic actions unconstitutional. In addition, interest groups can lobby, protest, or use litigation against the bureaucracy in order to prevent their actions.
2. The federal bureaucracy as part of the executive br
anch exercises substantial independence in implementing
governmental policies and programs. Most workers in th
e federal bureaucracy are civil-service employees who
are organized under a merit system.
(a) Describe one key characteristic of the merit system.
(b) For each of the following, describe one factor
that contributes to bur
eaucratic independence.
•
The structure of the federal bureaucracy
•
The complexity of public policy problems
(c) For each of the following, explain one Constitutional
provision that it can use to check the bureaucracy.
•
Congress
•
The courts
•
Interest groups
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap10_us_govt_politics_scoring_guidelines.pdf
Monday, April 14, 2014
Essay 16
The United States congress and the president together have the power to enact federal law. Federal bureaucratic agencies have the responsibility to execute federal law. However, in the carrying out of these laws, federal agencies have policy making discretion.
One reason that the federal agencies have this discretion is that Congress lacks the specialized expertise that agencies have from experience. Another reason is that Congress simply does not want to be blamed for making a bad policy and thus losing the support of its constituents.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for example, specializes in protecting clean air and water, public goods to the population. When the EPA sets emissions limits or recommends emissions limits, they are exercising policy-making discretion because they have more knowledge on what's beneficial to the environment than Congress would.
Congress, however, makes sure that federal agencies follow legislative intent by appropriating budgets and overseeing the agency in its projects and decisions. The agencies are not given full reign when limited to a budget specifically given to them by the government-- their decisions must be approved or they will no longer have the money given to them. In overseeing the actions of the agency, Congress can impose investigations or hold hearings to make sure the agency has good intent.
2006-3 The United States congress and the president together have the power to enact federal law. Federal bureaucratic agencies have the responsibility to execute federal law. However, in the carrying out of these laws, federal agencies have policy making discretion.
(1) Explain two reasons why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal laws.
(2) Choose one of the bureaucratic agencies listed below. Identify the policy area over which it exercises policy-making discretion and give one specific example of how it exercises that discretion.
a. Environmental Protection Agency
b. Federal Communications Commission
c. Federal Reserve board
(3) Describe two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf
One reason that the federal agencies have this discretion is that Congress lacks the specialized expertise that agencies have from experience. Another reason is that Congress simply does not want to be blamed for making a bad policy and thus losing the support of its constituents.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for example, specializes in protecting clean air and water, public goods to the population. When the EPA sets emissions limits or recommends emissions limits, they are exercising policy-making discretion because they have more knowledge on what's beneficial to the environment than Congress would.
Congress, however, makes sure that federal agencies follow legislative intent by appropriating budgets and overseeing the agency in its projects and decisions. The agencies are not given full reign when limited to a budget specifically given to them by the government-- their decisions must be approved or they will no longer have the money given to them. In overseeing the actions of the agency, Congress can impose investigations or hold hearings to make sure the agency has good intent.
2006-3 The United States congress and the president together have the power to enact federal law. Federal bureaucratic agencies have the responsibility to execute federal law. However, in the carrying out of these laws, federal agencies have policy making discretion.
(1) Explain two reasons why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal laws.
(2) Choose one of the bureaucratic agencies listed below. Identify the policy area over which it exercises policy-making discretion and give one specific example of how it exercises that discretion.
a. Environmental Protection Agency
b. Federal Communications Commission
c. Federal Reserve board
(3) Describe two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf
Essay 15
Entitlement programs are government-sponsored programs providing
mandated/guaranteed/required benefits to those who meet eligibility requirements/qualifications. One such program is called Social Security, a program of old-age, unemployment, health, disability, and survivors insurance maintained by the U.S. federal government. The primary source of revenue for Social Security come from payroll taxes, which are "taxes an employer withholds and/or pays on behalf of their employees based on the wage or salary of the employee."
One threat to the future of the Social security program should the trends depicted in the chart continue is the possibility of running out of money. The population of elderly people has increased as medical technology is able to prolong lives and the baby boom produced an abundance of elderly all at once, putting a high demand on social security in one big wave. They are having to pay out at a higher rate than the pay-in as the number of working people cannot support the large population who will soon reach the age of
eligibility to receive Social Security.
If the eligibility for Social Security was raised, the trends in the chart would be the same but further out, as the baby boom generation will still reach the same age at the same time. It may be slightly less dramatic of a drop if the age was raised enough to the point of people dying before receiving their benefits.
2006-2 In recent decades, entitlement programs have constituted a substantial portion of the United States federal budget. Social Security is the largest entitlement program in the US. From the information in the chart above, and your knowledge of the US government and politics, perform the following tasks.
(a) define entitlement program
(b) What is the primary source of revenue for the Social Security program
(c) Identify one threat to the future of the Social security program should the trends depicted in the chart continue
(d) Describe on demographic trend that threatens the future of the Social Security program and explain how it is responsible for the threat that you identified in (c )
(e) Explain how any one of the trends in the chart above would change if the age of eligibility for social security were raised.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf
mandated/guaranteed/required benefits to those who meet eligibility requirements/qualifications. One such program is called Social Security, a program of old-age, unemployment, health, disability, and survivors insurance maintained by the U.S. federal government. The primary source of revenue for Social Security come from payroll taxes, which are "taxes an employer withholds and/or pays on behalf of their employees based on the wage or salary of the employee."
One threat to the future of the Social security program should the trends depicted in the chart continue is the possibility of running out of money. The population of elderly people has increased as medical technology is able to prolong lives and the baby boom produced an abundance of elderly all at once, putting a high demand on social security in one big wave. They are having to pay out at a higher rate than the pay-in as the number of working people cannot support the large population who will soon reach the age of
eligibility to receive Social Security.
If the eligibility for Social Security was raised, the trends in the chart would be the same but further out, as the baby boom generation will still reach the same age at the same time. It may be slightly less dramatic of a drop if the age was raised enough to the point of people dying before receiving their benefits.
2006-2 In recent decades, entitlement programs have constituted a substantial portion of the United States federal budget. Social Security is the largest entitlement program in the US. From the information in the chart above, and your knowledge of the US government and politics, perform the following tasks.
(a) define entitlement program
(b) What is the primary source of revenue for the Social Security program
(c) Identify one threat to the future of the Social security program should the trends depicted in the chart continue
(d) Describe on demographic trend that threatens the future of the Social Security program and explain how it is responsible for the threat that you identified in (c )
(e) Explain how any one of the trends in the chart above would change if the age of eligibility for social security were raised.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap06_gopo_us_sg.pdf
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