REVEL for Government By The People, 2016 Presidential Election

COURSE MATERIALS: The following textbook will be used for this course: REVEL for Government By The People, 2016 Presidential Election (26th Edition) David B. Magleby, Paul C. Light & Christine L. Nemacheck Pearson Education – 2018 ISBN 13: 9780134628974 Note: At least ONE page for each question. Please number your assignment correctly. 1. There are two primary views about the U.S. Constitution. Some people believe in “original intent” (the Constitution should be interpreted literally word for word), and others believe that the Constitution is a “living document” (it should be interpreted to reflect today’s society). Let’s use the issue of abortion as an example: someone who believes in “original intent” believes that since the Constitution does not specifically say “a woman has the right to have an abortion,” that right does not exist. On the other hand, someone who believes in a “living Constitution” believes that since the Constitution does guarantee a right to privacy, in today’s world that should apply to a woman’s right to choose an abortion. How do you think the Constitution should be interpreted? Through “original intent” or as a “living document”? 2. The United States is a “federalist state” – meaning that powers is shared between the national government and the individual states… but the national government always trumps the state government. Many “centralists” believe that we should have a strong national government so that things aren’t different from state to state. On the other hand, many “decentralists” believe that we should have a weaker national government so that each state can govern itself as it sees fit. [EXAMPLE: A centralist believes that there should be one national law on gay marriage that applies to everyone, while a decentralist believes that it’s up to each state to make its own laws on gay marriage.] What do you think? Do you agree with the centralists or the decentralists? 3. Do you think that having political parties makes our election system better or worse? Are political parties a necessity, or should we just be voting for candidates without any party designation next to their name? 4. What is the #1 factor in your own political socialization? Be sure to explain. 5. Where do you get most of your news (specifically about politics)? Radio? TV? Newspaper? Magazines? Or Internet? Be sure to discuss and explain. 6. There are currently 15 Cabinet Departments under the Executive Branch. Which one do you think is the most important? And why? 7. Under the US Constitution, all federal judges (including the nine Supreme Court justices) are appointed for life. They never have to get re-appointed. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Be sure to explain why.