Economic choices [due Friday December 18]

America has been referred to as the Land of Plenty and the Land of Opportunity which has led to untold millions of people immigrating here. In contrast, people in most other countries have to make life or death economic decisions because of the lack of economic opportunity. To what degree has American life effected the way we make economic choices?

Local government and its burdens [due by Friday 12/11]

Based on what you have learned about the often invasive nature of local government express your opinions, beliefs, feelings and concerns regarding the way it effects the lives of people.Consider the N.C. Education Lottery, Annexation, Taxes, User Fees, Charter Schools, Licenses, Permits, Fines, etc as one of your concerns. You may select a side that you are on for or against the necesssity of one of the items listed above.

and...

How does local government affect the lives of its citizens? Is it more effective than the federal government? Why/Why not? [Something to think about: If you had a problem with speeding on your street would you call the President?]

Crime, Deterrence and Punishment [Due by 12/4/09]

We have examined how government informs the public about new laws and regulations. Governments also expect certain behaviors from their citizens and address inappropriate conduct with certain types of punishments/consequences according to those behaviors. An alternate strategy has been to deter citizens from committing crimes with the threat of punishment. Based on what you have learned discuss your opinion regarding one of the above topics related to how the government deals with crime, punishment and deterrence. Make certain you support your assertions [opinionated statements] with facts and evidence.

Conflict Resolution [Due Friday 11/27]

Select one [1] of the following types of conflict resolution and describe which one is the most effective and preferable to settle disputes:

Negotiation
Mediation
Arbitration

Your response should include an explanation of how and why various disputes/conflicts would and could be resolved by one of the above strategies.

The Law [Due by Friday 11/20]

How does the criminal and civil law help insure justice for all citizens in the United States of America? [To prove your points use specific examples from what you have learned in class about the law]

Is the criminal justice system fair? [Why/Why not]

Political Parties and their messages [Due Friday November 13]

[A] Based on what you have learned about political parties such as the Republicans, Democrats and third parties such as the Libertarians what do think of their various planks and platforms?

[Select at least two and talk about their strengths and weaknesses]

[B] Explain your impressions of the different types of propaganda [stacked cards, emotional appeals, just plain folks, bandwagon, etc] candidates use and how and why they are effective or ineffective.

[Be as specific as possible using several examples to support your statements]

Federal Economic Policy [Due by Friday 11/6]

Based on the recent assignments about Federal Taxation [excise, estate, capital gains and tariffs] Federal Fiscal/Budget policy [taxes, revenue and expenditures] answer the following using examples and details from what you learned:

Why does the U.S. Federal government have to make wise budget decisions?

Judicial Branch and Landmark Court Cases [Due October 16]

Select one of the Landmark Supreme Court cases from among the list we have studied and explain your opinions about the rights and freedoms [make mention of which Amendment or clause in/of the Constitution is involved] that were challenged. Talk about your reaction to the decisions of the Court.

Note to students: In order to have a variety of cases explained see your peers' comments about the cases so we can explore a wide range of issues here. No more than two students may write comments about the same Landmark case! If you are the 3rd person for case you shall not receive credit for your response so read all comments carefully.

The Legislative Branch: United States Congress [Due October 9]

The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the United States...

Those words from Article I of the U.S. Constitution laid the foundation for the role of the national/federal legislature which belongs to the bicameral [two house] legislature in Washington, D.C. Based on what you learn this week about the U.S. Congress answer each of the following questions:

[A] Which house of Congress [Senate or House of Representatives] is more powerful considering every responsibility they each have?

[be specific and explain yourself]

[B] Which job of a member of Congress is more difficult: making laws or representing people from your state/district?

[explain your answer]

[C] Is the Congress powerful enough to balance the power of the executive branch?

[if so, explain using examples; if not, explain using examples]

The Executive Branch

Taking into consideration all aspects of the executive branch including president, vice president and the Cabinet: How is the executive branch central to the success or failure of the United States government?

[As always make certain you use examples from what you learned and now know to support your response]

Types of Government and Constitutional Interpretation [Due Friday 9/25]

Provide some intelligent responses for each of the following prompts related to what you learned:

[A] Based on your research of different governments what are the most dastardly and beneficial elements of two separate types of government that you learned?

[B] What causes people to have different types of interpretations when it comes to the U.S. Constitution?

As always make certain to support every statement you make with relevent examples and solid, clear opinions based on fact.

The Bill of Rights [Due by Friday September 18]

Citing a specific right or freedom outlined in the first 10 Amendments, also known as the Bill of Rights, which do you believe is the most sacred/and or valuable to you?

Be sure to include intelligent and supportable reasons in your response!

Risk versus reward [Due Friday September 11]

As we have seen so far the people who lived in the 13 English colonies in America experienced quite a bit of struggle, stress and adversity [<--fancy word challenge]. Coming to a new land with lots of hope, courage and strong will colonists were able to deal with pressure from the natives ["Indians"], inexperience in government within each colony [Houses of Burgesses], foreign legal control [Parliament-the legislature in England], and a proud, stubborn and despotic--some said greedy and crazy--King George III. This was not an easy life for the early Americans to live but it was their life.

The richest, proudest, smartest and bravest--some said cunning-- of the colonists such as Franklin, Washington, Hancock, Jefferson, the Adamses and others were willing to risk everything to keep from becoming "slaves" [even though many of them owned African slaves] of the English monarchy and Parliament. After deciding to band together as united colonies to gain independence and as the Declaration of Independence said "dissolve the political bands" that kept the colonies together the colonists put themselves at great risk for the potential reward of what Thomas Jefferson called "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

After reading the previous two paragraphs and thinking about what you have learned about the Continental Congress, their Articles of Confederation with its problems and the Declaration of Independence answer: Do you believe the risk of separating from England was worth the potential reward of liberty in a new and independent United States of America?

[make sure you include facts, evidence and a clear personal opinion to support your answer!]

Why colonize?

After learning what you have about England's monarchy and the kings and queens of Europe during the 1600 and 1700's why do you believe they decided to colonize what became known as the New World in the Americas?