Civics; The Political Process; Section 4.3

Propaganda

A term often used in reference to the spreading of information by politicians

Imperialism

A foreign policy aimed at controlling foreign trade by holding colonies and defending them against other foreign powers

Duty

A moral or legal obligation

Excise Tax

A tax imposed on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of a commodity or service

What are excise taxes?

Excise taxes are federal or state taxes placed on commodities such as alcohol, tobacco, and gasoline.

What are entitlements?

Government entitlements are welfare programs paid by our taxes or by government borrowing.

Covert

Secret, hidden, or not openly shown

Conscientious Objector

Someone who refuses to fight in the military based on religious or moral principles

How does the government spend the nondefense discretionary part of the federal budget?

The federal government spends its money on a wide variety of programs and services. Discretionary spending is the part of the budget that goes through the appropriations process each year.

Revenue

The income a government receives (such as from taxes) for public use

Jury Duty

The legal obligation to serve on a jury when called to do so

What are the two main sources of income for the federal government?

The two main sources of revenue for the federal government are personal income taxes and social insurance taxes.