From Dan Larsen, one of the "2 Teachers" and along with former WVHS teacher Andrew Conneen, did the C-SPAN CRAM for the EXAM show on Saturday (it is linked at the side of the Political Warrior blog, under CITIZENU):
"We will also be running a real-time review ONLINE @ ustream.com Monday night May 9 from 6-11 PM EST. On the ustream.com website search for the channel CITIZENU and/or the program name "Cram for the Exam 2011."
Both review sessions are guided by student-generated questions. Encourage your students to CRAM for the EXAM this weekend."
I will be here on-line tonight simulcasting the discussion. Hopefully I will not be talking to myself in the comment section.
Remember, US test is at 7:25 AM tomorrow (Rm 156 by the pool; 6:30 breakfast review in Rm 250).
-- 60 MC questions, 45 minutes
-- 4 Free Response Questions (more than enough time) 100 minutes
(About a 1/2 break for lunch)
Comparative test is at 11 AM
-- 55 MC questions, 45 minutes
-- 8 FRQs, 100 minutes
Mr. Wolak, I can't get this to work........
ReplyDeleteQuestion. What is the significance of Baker v. Carr?
10th amendment: Powers not specifically granted to the Federal government are reserved to the states.
ReplyDeleteCommerce Clause -- the right to regulate interstate commerce is one of the most clear ways the federal government has expanded its power.....Created the Interstate Highway Act.....and this year's Healthcare Reform Act, for example.
ReplyDeleteMembers of the House have about 90 percent incumbency rate.... more important than their approval rate, or institutions approval rate incumbency rate most import to getting re-elected.
ReplyDeleteWhy?
Franking privilage
Pork barrel projects
Gerrymandering single member districts
A linkage institution is a structure within a society that connects the people to the government or centralized authority. These institutions include: elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media....
ReplyDeletePolitical parties are a bit different, they exist to nominate candidates and win elections.....Political parties are less powerful than in the past....more split ticket voting, which tends to lead to divided government.
Any Political Warriors here or listening on Ustream?
ReplyDeleteThe key for Baker v. Carr ( probably not one you really, really need...SCOTUS can intervene in apportionment).
ReplyDeleteQuestion:
Did the Supreme Court have jurisdiction over questions of legislative apportionment?
Conclusion:
In an opinion which explored the nature of "political questions" and the appropriateness of Court action in them, the Court held that there were no such questions to be answered in this case and that legislative apportionment was a justiciable issue. In his opinion, Justice Brennan provided past examples in which the Court had intervened to correct constitutional violations in matters pertaining to state administration and the officers through whom state affairs are conducted. Brennan concluded that the Fourteenth Amendment equal protection issues which Baker and others raised in this case merited judicial evaluation.
Presidental agenda setting (state of the union, using the media "bully pulpit")
ReplyDeleteQ: What's the power of the bureaucracy??
ReplyDeleteA: does the day-to-day business of the federal govt....over 3 million people work for the US government.....Congress has oversight power of the bureaucracy.
Question from the 1989 test:
ReplyDelete"Voting is partly a matter of habit: the more frequently a person has voted in the past, the more likely he or she is to vote in the current election."
All of the following support the observation above EXCEPT:
a) Immediately after the Twenty-Sixth Amendment in 1971 gave 18-21 year olds the vote, the proportion of eligible voters who actually voted declined
b) Immediately after the 19th Amendment in 1920 gave women the right to vote, the proportion of eligible voters who actually voted declined.
c) Immediately after the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the participation rate of Black voters in the south was lower than white voters in the south.
d) Unmarried persons over the age of 65 are less likely to vote than are married persons in that age group.
e) Newly naturalized citizens may need special inducements to vote.
I put d but the answer key says E. Can you please explain why?
Anagha,
ReplyDeleteThe reason your question's answer is "E" is political socialization. Those news naturalized citizens have no history of voting to rely on in their political socialization....If your parents vote, you will most likely vote as an adult.
I am going to eat dinner, but will be back to answer your questions. There is the live discussion on ustream until 10 pm.....right now two femal teachers are going through several different concepts, and there are comments along the side of the page. Register and go to CitizenU or Cram for the Exam.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Wolak!
ReplyDeleteCongress not a cross section of the American public, but because of incumbency advantages, the Senate especially is most old white men lawyers.
ReplyDeleteCampaign finance Bi-partisan reform act was supposed to get rid of issue orientated "soft money" but loopholes like 527s allow unlimted issue orientated expenditures.
ReplyDeleteThey just talked about the White House Office....more important for advice and constent to the Prez than the Cabinet. Includes Chief of Staff, all that work in the White House, including OMB (Office of Manangement and Budget) and National Security Advisor (including Joint Chiefs of Staff.
ReplyDeleteBriefs of Amicus Curai..."Friends of Court document" way to lobby SC....
ReplyDeleteA strong sense of political efficacy that Americans have is seen by how many special interest groups there are (tons). While we don't vote in large turnouts we are politically active in many ways!
ReplyDeleteSorry! One more question.
ReplyDelete- A corporate lobbyist would be LEAST likely to have an informal discussion about a pending policy matter with which of the following?
a)a member of the House in whose district the corporation has a plant
b) A member of the White House staff concerned about the issue
c) A member of the staff of the Senate committee handling a matter of concern to the corporation
d) A federal judge in whose court a case important to the corporation is being heard.
e) A journalist for a major newspaper concerned about the issue.
I'm torn between b and d.
Iron Triangle -- Military Intustrial Complex.......House Committee, Department of Defense and companies that lobby like Boeing...
ReplyDeleteNo Child left behind -- House education committee with Department of Education with Speicla interest groups like the NEA.
Dick Durbin Senate Majority Whip....No importance of leadership positions. The majorty party controls all committee chairmanships......Speaker of the House sets the agenda by assinging bills.....all spending or taxing, revenue bills must start in the House. For example, a military spending bill starts in House Apporpriations committee.
ReplyDeleteSIG -- Special Interest group
ReplyDeleteTo Anagha, a corporate lobbyist has less access to federal judges......SIGs work their interest in the courst through litigation, not lobbyists.
ReplyDeleteOh, Okay. So it's a litigant or another attorney/judge who is responsible for a brief of amicus curiae, not a lobbyist? And could you please go over the purpose of an amicus curiae brief?
ReplyDeleteHey Mr. Wolak I was wondering
ReplyDelete-what the Gitlow vs NY and NY Times vs Sullivan was
-judicial restrain
-exclusionary rule
-line item veto vs pocket veto
-rule of four
-warren court
(these are all on a sheet of terms you gave us)
Looks like you're talking to yourself a lot again, Mr. Wolak.
ReplyDeleteWhat are all the roles of the President again? There's just so many, and a lot of them seem somewhat similar.
The 2 teachers are coming on now.....at ustream........i am taking a break for dinner but quickly......purpose of amicus brief is to persuade the SC one way or another to your interest.Recently law firms have made big business lobbying the SC through amicus briefs.
ReplyDeleteRule of 4.....Writ of Cert....majority rules, but takes into consideration minority rights.
ReplyDeleteRole of the Prez here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.c-spanclassroom.org/pdf/ws_rolesofthepresident.pdf
Commander in Chief, Party Chief, Economic Chief, Chief Adminstrator, etc.
US v. Nixon -- executive privialge vs. subpoena power....executuive privlage not absolute a classic check and balance situation....Congress oversight power checks the prez's exutive privalage power.
ReplyDeleteMr. Wolak,
ReplyDeleteA question from the 1999 test
All of the following powers are granted to the President by the Constitution EXCEPT
a) commissioning officers in the armed forces
b)addressing the Congress on the state of the union
c) receiving ambassadors
d) granting pardons for federal offenses.
e) forming new cabinet-level departments.
Why is it E and not B?
What is the difference again between line item veto and pocket item veto?
ReplyDeleteJust to confirm if I remember this right, but the party caucus has replaced the party convention, right?
ReplyDeleteAlso, there were stages before that, but I can't really remember them (and I'm trying to keep Mr. Wolak company).
I'm back.....Silent primary, campaign fund-raising......Obama won't be challenged in the Democratic primary, but his campaigns hopes to raise $1Billion
ReplyDelete"Congress at Work is congress in Committee"
ReplyDeleteHouse Appororiations Committee
House Ways & Means taxation, most powerful standing committee.
Committees give congress Specialization
Scott,
ReplyDeletePrimaries and Caucuses have replaced the importance Party conventions for nominating presidential candidates.
Party conventions are now basically big prep rallies, where the Pres and VP candidate get a poll bump, also adopting platform.
line Item veto -- unconsitionional for president's Guliani vs. Clinton....can not line out anymore a piece of a spending bill (must veto all or nothing).....many state govs have state power to line item veto.... cross out a part of tbill.
ReplyDeletePocket veto is holding a bill during the last 10 days of session. If Congress adjourns, without Prz action bill is vetoed.
majority party appoints all of the party chairman......senority rule....Speaker of House assings bill to committee, and where people go to serve.....Senate majority leader/minority leader.....whips count the vote before they are taken....control the calendar.
ReplyDeleteSome Budget stuff: Congress "Power of the Purse"....Under Budget Reform Act of 1974: 1) Prez recomends budget early in the year; 2) Congress has year to write the budget; 3) Prez signs the budget.
ReplyDeleteOMB -- Office of Management and Budget in the executive branch.
Congressional Budget Office extension of Congress and independent of OMB
what are linkage institutions?
ReplyDeleteCongress must establish a new cabinet office ie: Homeland Security
ReplyDeletePer curium opinion -- a non-signed SC decision (Bush v. Gore)
ReplyDeleteDe Jure segregation -- laws that segregated people by law ( abolished)
De facto -- segreation by fact, not law.
where is the commerce clause found?
ReplyDeletelikage insitiutions -- any insitution that links to govt....political parties, special interest groups and maybe even the media
ReplyDeleteHow many justices do you need to grant a writ of certiorari?
ReplyDeleteThe Commerce Clause is an enumerated power listed in the United States Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). The clause states that the United States Congress shall have power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes". Courts and commentators have tended to discuss each of these three areas of commerce as a separate power granted to Congress. It is common to see the Commerce Clause referred to as "the Foreign Commerce Clause", "the Interstate Commerce Clause", and "the Indian Commerce Clause", each of which refers to a different application of the same sentence in the Constitution.
ReplyDeleteIron triangle is elitism, like the bank bailout.....very few involved in the consenial issue network of expertise.....or industrial military complex
ReplyDeleteOppposite of the health care reform Act, which was finally passed through a difficult pluralistic policy.
Rule of 4 -- Writ of Certiori
ReplyDeleteis there anything specific we should know about media involvment?
ReplyDeleteAre any of you watching, listening to the 2 teachers on ustream?
ReplyDeleteno, for some reason i need a windows live password...so idk whats going on w/ that
ReplyDeleteIt might be easier to do this on google docs, because the whole class is connected on it, so its more like an instant message chatroom.
ReplyDeleteI am currently watching them, they are talking about frqs.
ReplyDeleteCongress delacres war, coins money, creates standing army (Art 1, Sec. 8) borrow and taxes.....expressed powers most often used to expand national govt.....commerce clause.
ReplyDeleteimplied powers....necessary and proper clause.....elastic clause
I probably should have done the google docs thing....sorry
ReplyDeleteMcCullough vs. MD suppremcy clause and the ability to create the national bank.....flexibility not absoulute.......safe school act declared unconsitutional.
ReplyDeleteKaty, agreed about the Google Docs. and I couldn't get into the online feed for CitizensU either.
ReplyDelete435 (# in House of Rep)
ReplyDelete270 (# to win EC)
19 amend (women's suffrage)
2/3 -- of each chamber of congress to pass amdendatory vote
3/4 -- of states to pass a constitutional amndemnt. (only 27 pssed)
you mentioned that there might be an frq on the media. what should i study for that?
ReplyDeleteAnagha and Katy,here's the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ustream.tv/channel/cram-for-the-exam-2011
Is the number of electors per state in the Electoral college the same as the number or representatives or the number of congressmen?
ReplyDeleteAlso, the unit rule in terms of electors is determined on a state-by-state basis, correct?
Gitlow v. NY opening slavo to incorporation of free speech
ReplyDeleteBaker v. Carr set gerrymandering apportionment districts must be equal....about 775,000 per single member district today
ReplyDeleteMr. Wolak, what is the Maastricht Treaty?
ReplyDeletecan you talk about legislative oversight?
ReplyDeletewhat are the 2 types of federal grants?
ReplyDeletemedia roles -- gatekeeper, watchdog, scorekeeper......these roles play into how the media (4th estate covers gov & politics....also know now more and more candidates use the Youdia.....facebook, own ads, twitter and such, no media gatekeeper.....they can talke directly to the constitutent by things like You Tube...don't need networks.
ReplyDeleteEArmarks, Riders and pork barrell a
ReplyDeleteFederalism FRQ....block grants, categorical (marble cake) grants....general election vs. primaries.....monies in campaigns....maybe media......
Process of how to hear a SC case stare decisis, amicus curaie....etc.
Cabinet secretaries....advice and consent....cabinet secreatry torn loyalities.....over last 40 years prez's get advice from White House staff, does not nhave to be confimred by senate, converstations can be protected by executive privlige
ReplyDeleteLegislative oversight of beauracracy....hold hearings on things Hurricane Katrina and FEMA's response.......they also hold subpeona power if in divided government, can call the White House to testify before Congress.
ReplyDeleteWho's here? Ask ?'s if you want, I am still here.
ReplyDeleteCan you please explain what a litmus test is?
ReplyDeleteshould we know examples of the gatekeeper/watchdog/etc?
ReplyDeleteMaggie, earlier in the night asked about exclusionary rule......that is evidence that is constitutionally thrown out because of a vilation of say, 4th amendment search and seizure....judicial restraint vs. judicial activism.....activism shapes law, restraint tries to keep to the founders original intent.
ReplyDeleteKaty, YES
ReplyDeleteWhat is litigation?
ReplyDeleteFederalism and the SC.....interstate commerce clause
ReplyDeleteCivil rts act of 1964 -- outlwed Jim Crow laws....if your business goes state to state, no Jim Crow.
McCullough vs. Maryland
Can you please explain what soft power is?
ReplyDeleteLitigation is a lawsuit....this is a main way special interest groups like the NAACP take their interest to court.
ReplyDeleteSoft power is the power of persuasion...hard power is ..not to be confused with soft money "issue orientated" campaign donation.
ReplyDeleteLitmus test is used by president's and members of the Senate to question SC nominees on issues like abortion.
ReplyDeleteCBO -- non-partisan Congressional Budget oFFICE
ReplyDeleteDivided govt can lead to gridlock, budget shutdowns (Clinton presidency) or consensus building...the bad and the good.
ReplyDeleteOpen rule vs. closed rule -- in house can riders and amendments be added on the floor? Closed, no. Open, yes.
ReplyDeleteRules Committee
ReplyDeleteConference Committee
House Ways & Means Committee (all taxes) and revenue bills start here.
Select committees -- temporary committees
Standing committees -- permanent committees
Buckley v. Valeo -- is money a form of speech......YES, however, it can be limited....
ReplyDeleteBut now in the Citizens United Case a corporation can now used unlimited money to runs ads for or against a candidate (but don't give directly to the candidate)
Is anyone still out there? Breakfast review tomorrow 6:30 AM What should I bring to eat?
ReplyDeleteSomething with caffeine.
ReplyDeletefederalism and elections -- 15, 19, 26 amendments fed gov
ReplyDeletecr act
voting rts act
election day
vs
state powers of suffrage
ballots (help america to vote act) state by state
some states ban felons from voting
others allow those in jail to vote
also, the electoral college a state decision
ADA -- sometimes not paid for in full, mandate is a law.....if not funded, it is an unfunded mandate.
ReplyDeletewhy low voter turnout?
ReplyDeletelow efficacy
scandals
pesidential informal powers/forml pwers
formal
commander in chief
state of union
vetos signs law
nominates
informal
bully pulpit
executive orders (emanicpation proclamation) (jap. interment)
executive privilage
Thank you Mr. Wolak this has been really helpful =]
ReplyDeleteRULE of PROPINQITY
ReplyDeletewhite house office, the closer the office to the oval office, the more important the advisor is to the prez.
Glad to know 12 of 15 voted their favorite 5 was a 5 on tomorrow's exam
ReplyDeletelogrolling, resiprocity, vote trading....one of the reasons for so many earmarks
ReplyDeleteI never used this one but, "third parties are like bees...they sting but then they die."
ReplyDeletethird party king makers
gotta win states can't get into debates
third parties do not qualify with fed. matching funds
also the limited individuals donations
READ QUESTIONS CAREFULLY....PLENTY OF TIME FOR FRQS.....LIBERAL VS. DEMOCRATS
ReplyDeleteLESS THAN 1 MINUTE PER MC QUESTION
GOOD NIGHT ALL!
ReplyDeleteWhat a mateгial of un-аmbiguity and
ReplyDeletepreserveness of ѵaluable expеrіencе concerning uneхpеctеd emоtionѕ.
My homepage ; galaxys3.fr
active content removed software amd spec http://buyoemsoftware.co.uk/es/product-36557/Finance-Helper-4-8 get right software [url=http://buyoemsoftware.co.uk/product-28304/TItan-FTP-Server-7-1]action replay software ds[/url] server load monitoring software
ReplyDelete[url=http://buyoemsoftware.co.uk/category-200-203/Graphics-and-Publishing]Graphics & Publishing - Software Store[/url] compression software pc mac compatible
[url=http://buyoemsoftware.co.uk/fr/product-37171/VeryPDF-Document-Converter-docPrint-Pro-3-3][img]http://buyoem.co.uk/image/1.gif[/img][/url]
[url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/benicar.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/9.jpg[/img][/url]
ReplyDeletehartmann pharmacy http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/toprol-xl.htm mayo clinic pharmacy [url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/diamox.htm]pharmacy school admission requirements[/url]
duoderm pharmacy wlagreens http://redbrickstore.co.uk/catalogue/q.htm university of nebraska pharmacy [url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/risperdal.htm]risperdal[/url]
one minute clinics at cvs pharmacy http://redbrickstore.co.uk/catalogue/v.htm buy levofloxacin at heb pharmacy [url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/gift-kamagra-jelly.htm]cvs pharmacy camp bowie fort worth[/url]
medical arts pharmacy cinyers http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/pamelor.htm westby pharmacy [url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/categories/erectile-dysfunction.htm]erectile dysfunction[/url]
who is vanessa simmons dating http://loveepicentre.com/articles/ colorado adult personals dating
ReplyDeleteexecutives dating site [url=http://loveepicentre.com/advice/]russia and russian dating sites[/url] bomb pulse dating
the dating song the disaster movie [url=http://loveepicentre.com/contact/]aries women dating a virgo man[/url] web design hosting dating ecommerce [url=http://loveepicentre.com/user/babyycakkes/]babyycakkes[/url] frace dating sites