INB
p. 30
Roles of Government Review
Read each of the scenarios below, then do the following:
1. Determine what role government should play in the situation.
2. Decide, in your opinion, whether the government is actually fulfilling its role.
Scenario A
On January 1, 2009, in a San Francisco subway station, Oscar Grant, a 22-year old man, was
restrained by two police officers. The police officers forced Oscar onto the ground, and kneeled
on his back. One officer drew his gun and shot Oscar in the back. Later, the officer claimed
that he thought he was using a taser to subdue Oscar. Oscar died as a result of his gunshot
wound.
1. What role should government be playing in this situation? (Could be more than 1)
a. Keeping the Peace
b. Protecting the Nation
c. Providing Necessary Services
d. Maintaining Other Institutions
2. How do you know? ANSWER IN 1-2 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
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3. In your opinion, is the government fulfilling its role to the best of its ability? Why or why
not? ANSWER IN 2-3 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
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Scenario B
President Obama and Congress just passed legislation ensuring that all children in the United
States will have access to health insurance and medical care.
1. What role should government be playing in this situation? (Could be more than 1)
a. Keeping the Peace
b. Protecting the Nation
c. Providing Necessary Services
d. Maintaining Other Institutions
2. How do you know? ANSWER IN 1-2 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. In your opinion, is the government fulfilling its role to the best of its ability? Why or why
not? ANSWER IN 2-3 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
______________________________________________________________________
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Scenario C
The Boston Public Schools is responsible for educating more than 50,000 students. Their
budget has been cut by more than $100 million for the 2009-2010 school year, which means
that close to 700 teachers will lose their jobs, class sizes will increase, and some schools will
have to be shut down.
1. What role should government be playing in this situation? (Could be more than 1)
a. Keeping the Peace
b. Protecting the Nation
c. Providing Necessary Services
d. Maintaining Other Institutions
2. How do you know? ANSWER IN 1-2 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. In your opinion, is the government fulfilling its role to the best of its ability? Why or why
not? ANSWER IN 2-3 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
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Scenario D
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast of the United States. In
New Orleans, the levees (walls along the coast that prevent flooding), were too weak and
broke under the pressure in FIFTY different places, causing massive flooding throughout the
city. Many people evacuated, but 20% of the residents of New Orleans were not able to get out
of the city, and close to 2000 people died. The government was criticized for not encouraging
and supporting evacuation, and not providing help to stranded residents quickly enough.
1. What role should government be playing in this situation? (Could be more than 1)
a. Keeping the Peace
b. Protecting the Nation
c. Providing Necessary Services
d. Maintaining Other Institutions
2. How do you know? ANSWER IN 1-2 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. In your opinion, is the government fulfilling its role to the best of its ability? Why or why
not? ANSWER IN 2-3 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Scenario E
On September 11, 2001, terrorists from several countries in the Middle East, including Saudi
Arabia and Afghanistan, hijacked 4 planes, and flew them into the World Trade Center, and
the Pentagon. In response to this attack, President Bush and Congress declared war on the
country of Iraq.
1. What role should government be playing in this situation? (Could be more than 1)
a. Keeping the Peace
b. Protecting the Nation
c. Providing Necessary Services
d. Maintaining Other Institutions
2. How do you know? ANSWER IN 1-2 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. In your opinion, is the government fulfilling its role to the best of its ability? Why or why
not? ANSWER IN 2-3 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
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Scenario F
Between 1985 and now, the state of Massachusetts and the City of Boston have spent close to
$22 billion dollars on a road construction project called the Big Dig. The purpose of this
project is to reduce traffic through the city, and to make sure that there are no ugly highways
running through the middle of the city.
What role should government be playing in this situation? (Could be more than 1)
a. Keeping the Peace
b. Protecting the Nation
c. Providing Necessary Services
d. Maintaining Other Institutions
How do you know? ANSWER IN 1-2 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
In your opinion, is the government fulfilling its role to the best of its ability? Why or why
not? ANSWER IN 2-3 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
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Scenario G
Mothers to newborn babies have the ability to get WIC (Women and Infant Care) funding
from the government if they make less than a certain amount of money per year. They can use
this funding to buy food and supplies to help them care for their children.
1. What role should government be playing in this situation? (Could be more than 1)
a. Keeping the Peace
b. Protecting the Nation
c. Providing Necessary Services
d. Maintaining Other Institutions
2. How do you know? ANSWER IN 1-2 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. In your opinion, is the government fulfilling its role to the best of its ability? Why or why
not? ANSWER IN 2-3 COMPLETE SENTENCES.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
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