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 FRQ
A. 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 9/20
1) 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 Congress
Unit 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 Oversight
Oversight: Check on the exce. branch that congressional
programs are being implemented appropriately.
a. Gov’t Accountability Office (GAO)
1.
2.
b. Committee Hearings
1.
2.
3.
c. Budget! Control!
1.
2.
Clips
1.Clip: Automotive Industry
2.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/02/politics/contempt-vote-politicalsurvival/index.html
3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD9sz8rvheI&list=PLdd7CkXO
H44xvWC933dXQgtJymtMVJgFH&index=1&feature=plpp_video
Start on page 311
1. 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 314
Create 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 specializing
3) Should I form alliances (or get kicked off the isle?)?
--importance of personal friends and PACs
4) 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