Essay 14 President's power over Congress

2008-2)A number of factors enable presidents to exert influence over Congress in the area of domestic policy. However, presidents are also limited in their influence over domestic policymaking in Congress.

-The Constitution grants the president certain enumerated powers. Describe two of these formal powers that enable the president to exert influence over domestic policy.

-Choose two of the following. Define each term and explain how each limits the president’s ability to influence domestic policy making in Congress.

*Mandatory spending

*Party polarization

*Lame-duck period

 1. The Constitution grants the president certain enumerated powers. Two of these formal powers that enable the president to exert influence over domestic policy are Legislative powers such as vetoing, and calling Congress into session.

2. Spending not controlled by annual budget decisions is called Mandatory spending. It limits the president’s ability to influence domestic policy making in Congress by being difficult to make budget cuts that might accomplish policy goals.

Party polarization is when there is increased inter-party differences. It limits the president’s ability to influence domestic policy making in Congress because an Opposing party may block policy goals.

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap08_us_gopo_q2.pdf

Essay 13 Congressional Reapportionment

2008-1) Congressional reapportionment and redistricting are conducted every ten years. When redistricting is conducted, politicians often engage in gerrymandering.
(a) Define congressional reapportionment and explain one reason why it is important to states.
(b) Define congressional redistricting.
(c) Explain two goals of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting.
(d) Describe two limits that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting.

A. Congressional reapportionment is the reallocation of the number of representatives each state has in the House of Representatives. It is important because more representatives mean that a state has more influence.

B. Congressional redistricting is the drawing/redrawing of House/congressional (not Senate) district lines

C. Two goals of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting are to enhance political party strength/to minimize the strength of the opposition party and to protect incumbents/to discourage challengers.

D. Two limits that the United State Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting are that districts must be equally populated and communities of interest must be protected.

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap08_gopo_us_sgs.pdf

The Spill

1. Smith, Martin. "The Spill." PBS. PBS, 5 Nov. 2010. Web. 10 Mar. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/the-spill/>.

This frontline investigation dives into the issue of BP's leadership failing to create a culture of safety in the massive new company. BP was so desperate to get the most oil and spend the least amount of money but while doing so the company left behind a trail of mounting problems: deadly accidents, disastrous spills, countless safety violations. The company would promise to do better and pay off people to cover up their mistakes. For BP profits always came before safety.

2. Pelley, Scott. "Blowout: The Deepwater Horizon Disaster." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 16 May 2010. Web. 10 Mar. 2014. <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/blowout-the-deepwater-horizon-disaster-16-05-2010/>.

 In the Gulf of Mexico, a gusher was unleashed that continues to spew crude oil. There isn't a reliable estimate of exactly how much oil is pouring out but the total comes to many millions of gallons. The "Deepwater Horizon" was one of the most sophisticated drilling rigs in the world until there was an explosion that sunk it and killed eleven men in the process. Once again, this shows the number of shortcuts BP takes around safety precautions to cut cost and time. BP pressured the crew on the rig to keep pushing when it wasn't safe because they didn't want to loose any more money.

3. Cohen, Mike. "South Africa Oil-Stake Demand Risks Derailing New Industry." Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg, 11 Mar. 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-10/south-africa-oil-stake-demand-risks-derailing-fledgling-industry.html>.

Essay 12 Trust in Government

2004_4
3) Trust and confidence in government have declined in recent decades.
(a) Explain how divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government. Be sure to include a definition of divided government in your response
(b) Explain how the increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government.
(c) Explain two specific consequences of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior. 

A) When one party controls the White House, and another controls one or both houses of Congress it is a divided government. Divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government because of heightened partisanship.

B) Increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government because candidates must spend more time raising money

C) Two specific consequences of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior are Protest and decline in voter turnout.

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/ap04_sg_gopo_us_37090.pdf

Essay 11 Incumbent Reelection Rates

(2001_2) the graph above shows reelection rates for incumbents in the House and Senate. From this information and your knowledge of of the US politics, perform the following 
tasks. (Fig 12.1)
a) identify two patterns displayed in the graph
b) identify 2 factors that contribute to incumbency advantage. Explain how each factor contributes to incumbency advantage.
c) Discuss one consequence of incumbency advantage for the US political process


A) two patterns displayed in the graph are the House typically has higher incumbency rates than Senate and Rates of incumbency are more stable in the House than in the Senate

B) 2 factors that contribute to incumbency advantage are Access to media and Campaign finance

C) one consequence of incumbency advantage for the US political process is that we would have
More established relations with interest groups

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/sg_govpol_us_01_7046.pdf

METH

"The Meth Epidemic Summary":
Meth is the most addicting illegal drug in America. Meth cooks have found ways around the laws passed and pharmaceudical companies are fighting them.

Byker, Carl. "The Meth Epidemic." PBS. PBS, May 2011. Web. 07 Feb. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/etc/script.html>.

 "Big Pharma And Meth Cooks Agree: Keep Cold Meds Over The Counter" Summary:
 Law enforcement's efforts to stop the problem by limiting access to pseudoephedrine (a key ingredient in meth) have been opposed by the large pharmaceutical companies. The "shake and bake" method of cooking meth has put production in the hands of addicts but also has tremendous risks. Wherever meth labs are found, there are bad gases and byproducts left over. Burn victims from meth accidents have tripled because meth addicts are now cooking. Oregon has successfully made pseudoephedrine a prescription drug, and the number of meth labs in the state has fallen over 90%. CHPA in Kentucky set a new lobbying spending record. This group spent it's money to fight against over the counter medicine. 24 states have tried to follow Oregon's lead by making access to pseudophedrine difficult by putting it behind the counter. 23 out of these 24 states have failed.

 "Big Pharma And Meth Cooks Agree: Keep Cold Meds Over The Counter." NPR. NPR, 26 Sept. 2013. Web. 06 Feb. 2014. <http://www.npr.org/2013/09/26/226476602/big-pharma-and-meth-cooks-agree-keep-cold-meds-over-the-counter>.


 "Candy-Flavored Meth Targets New Users" Summary:
During an investigation, police officers found materials used to cook meth in a trash can. Digging deeper, they were surprised to find strawberry-flavored children's drink next to it. This "designer meth" can be cu with lollipops, soda, drinks, and a variety of candy that makes is easier for first time users to try. This new marketing trick was created to increase Meth's market share. Cutting meth with something sweet also helps cut down the burning sensation when snorting powdered meth. Changing the color or the taste just lowers the intimidation factor, seeming less dangerous and luring in a new customer base.

Vries, Lloyd. "Candy-Flavored Meth Targets New Users." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 2 May 2007. Web. 07 Feb. 2014. <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/candy-flavored-meth-targets-new-users/>.

NoKoBloPo

Using internet, Brief History of North Korea since WW2. (1-2 Paragraphs)
Summary of Current state of affairs in Korea (1-2 paragraphs)
Do you think there will be regime change/ state change/ Neither/ Both? (It's what the movie was about) and why (1 paragraph).

Korea was ruled by Japan for nearly six years. However, following Japan's collapse after WWII, Korea was liberated in 1945. The Soviets occupied the north while the Americans were in the south, splitting the country down the 38th parallel. The two countries agreed to temporarily occupy Korea as a trusteeship in order to establish a Korean provisional government that would be free and independent. Kim Il-sung began he rule of power in North Korea as the Prime Minister in 1948 and then became President in 1972. Kim Il-sung led the communist North to invade the democratic South, starting a war in 1950 that lasted for 3 years and killed over 1.2 million people. Kim Il-sung remained in power until his death in 1994.  

In 1994, Kim Il-sung's successor, Kim Jong-Il, came to power and tried to gain support and allies to help and unite Korea under a communist government. In April 2009, North Korea's constitution was amended to refer to him as the "supreme leader". After the Cold War and the Soviets were defeated, North Korea became subject to severe UN sanctions. In 2011, Kim Jong-Il died and his son, Kim Jong-un came to power.

North Korea is in a state of highly controlled dictatorship under the rule of Kim Jong-un. All televisions are tuned to state-controlled domestic programming, the internet is virtually non-existent and cell phone use is highly restricted. Some North Koreans go to very far measures to try and smuggle entertainment or other illegal use of technology, risking not only their life, but the lives of their entire blood related family. The country is suffering from severe famine. The World Food Program estimates that almost 6 million out of 25 million are in need of food.

I think that eventually, there will be change in North Korea. I think that either poor leadership will lead to the the country's downfall, or the citizens will grow tired of oppression. Kim Jong-un's rule is maintained through his ability to limit the amount of information that can enter the country. Once the Korean people discover what is happening outside of their border, they will be eager to force change in their country. 

I believe that there will indeed be change in North Korea eventually. The execution of North Korea’s second-most powerful leader, Jang Song-thaek, is an example of the dangers associated with being next in line of command in an authoritarian society. This reflects just how unstable and insecure Kim Jong-un really is. I think that this poor leadership will lead to the the country's downfall. That or the citizens will grow tired of oppression. Kim Jong-un's rule is maintained through his ability to limit the amount of information that can enter the country. Once the Korean people become more defiant, they will start discovering what is happening outside of their border, they will be eager to force change in their country. I also believe that this will eventually lead to a regime change.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/secret-state-of-north-korea/

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/fighting_words/2010/02/a_nation_of_racist_dwarfs.html

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2013/12/19/2003579334