Government Test #3
What are TWO 'flaws' that exist within the current Electoral College system that selects our president and explain why people view them as a problem?
(1) the winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed the presidency; (2) electors are not required to vote in accord with the popular vote; and (3) any election might have to be decided in the House of Representatives.
Explain the purpose of civil service and what is meant by it (for the most part) being a merit-based system.
-It advises the Government on the implementation of policy and is responsible for implementing agreed policy -It helps prepare and draft new legislation and -It helps the Government to run the country according to the legislation passed by the Oireachtas.
Of the four most popular ideas to reform the Electoral College which ONE would encourage gerrymandering?
-It is no longer relevant. -The Constitution has been amended before; it can be done again. -It gives too much attention and power to swing states. -It allows the presidential election to be decided by a handful of states. -It can ignore the will of the people. -The candidate who wins the most votes does not necessarily win the election, as happened in 1876, 1888, 2000 and 2016 and possibly in 1824 and 1960.
What are the qualifications to be governor of the State of Iowa?
-at least 30 years old by the time of election -a United States citizen -a resident of Iowa for at least two years before the election
If the President, Vice President and Speaker of the House die in a plane crash, who would become the new President of the United States and who would be the next 2 people in line to follow them? Who would become the new Vice President?
A 1947 law changed the order of succession to place the Speaker of the House in line after the vice president, followed by the president pro tempore, and then the secretary of state and other cabinet officers in order of their departments' creation.
The "Imperial Presidency"
A presidency becomes imperial when it relies on powers beyond those allowed by the Constitution of the United States. ... As the United States became a great world power and then a superpower, the presidency acquired more war powers despite the Constitution.
Formal qualifications of the Presidency
According to Article II of the U.S. Constitution, the president must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, be at least 35 years old, and have been a resident of the United States for 14 years.
What are the THREE formal qualifications to be president in the U.S., as outlined in the Constitution?
As directed by the Constitution, a presidential candidate must be a natural born citizen of the United States, a resident for 14 years, and 35 years of age or older.
The Civil Service system
Civil service, the body of government officials who are employed in civil occupations that are neither political nor judicial. In most countries the term refers to employees selected and promoted on the basis of a merit and seniority system, which may include examinations. Civil service. key people.
How do critics characterize the "imperial presidency." What is an example of a President acting in such a fashion?
Imperial Presidency. term used to describe a president as an emperor who acts without consulting Congress or acts in secrecy to evade or deceive congress.
What role do electors play in the Electoral College? How many are there in total? How many electors must you receive votes from to become president?
In the Electoral College system, each state gets a certain number of electors based on its total number of representatives in Congress. Each elector casts one electoral vote following the general election; there are a total of 538 electoral votes. The candidate that gets more than half (270) wins the election.
The Election of the President: `Basics of the Electoral College `Flaws of the Electoral College `Potential Electoral College Reforms
In the Electoral College system, each state gets a certain number of electors based on its total number of representatives in Congress. Each elector casts one electoral vote following the general election; there are a total of 538 electoral votes. The candidate that gets more than half (270) wins the election. Three criticisms of the College are made: It is "undemocratic;" It permits the election of a candidate who does not win the most votes; and. Its winner-takes-all approach cancels the votes of the losing candidates in each state. -District Plan. Counts the votes district by district. -Proportional Plan. Each candidate would receive a share of each states electoral votes. -Direct Popular Election. Banishes the Electoral College. -National Popular Vote Plan.
Identify an example of an executive department, independent agency, regulatory commission and government corporation.
Independent regulatory agencies are federal agencies created by an act of Congress that are independent of the executive departments. ... The Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission are examples of such agencies.
What are the TWO duties assigned to the Vice President by the U.S. Constitution?
Other than to succeed to the presidency upon the death or resignation of a president, a vice president's only constitutional duty is to preside over the Senate. Vice presidents cannot vote in the Senate, except to break a tie, nor may they formally address the Senate, except with the senators' permission.
Roles & Constitutional Responsibilities of the Vice President `"Balancing the Ticket"
Other than to succeed to the presidency upon the death or resignation of a president, a vice president's only constitutional duty is to preside over the Senate. Vice presidents cannot vote in the Senate, except to break a tie, nor may they formally address the Senate, except with the senators' permission....In United States politics, balancing the ticket is a practice where a political candidate chooses a running mate, usually of the same party, with the goal of bringing more widespread appeal to the campaign. The term is most prominently used to describe the selection of the U.S. Vice Presidential candidate.
Explain what is meant by the "spoils" system. Give an argument on why this practice would develop and state one potential problem that could result from its use.
Practice in which the political party winning an election rewards its campaign workers and other active supporters by appointment to government posts and with other favours. The spoils system involves political activity by public employees in support of their party and the employees' removal from office if their party loses the election. A change in party control of government necessarily brings new officials to high positions carrying political responsibility, but the spoils system extends personnel turnover down to routine or subordinate governmental positions.
What happened in the Election of 1800 that clearly displayed the need for change in how the U.S. elects a president?
Presidential electors were required to vote for two people for the offices of president and vice-president. ... Unfortunately, Jefferson and his vice-presidential running mate Aaron Burr both received the identical number of electoral votes, and the House of Representatives voted to break the tie.
Constitutional Amendments Affecting the Presidency: `12th Amendment `20th Amendment `22nd Amendment `23rd Amendment `25th Amendment `Presidential Line of Succession
The 12th Amendment stipulates that each elector must cast distinct votes for president and vice president, instead of two votes for president. ... The Twelfth Amendment requires the Senate to choose between the candidates with the "two highest numbers" of electoral votes. The 20th Amendment is an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that sets the inauguration date for new presidential terms and the date for new sessions of Congress. ... Section 3 states that if the president-elect dies before taking office, the vice president-elect becomes president. The 22nd amendment prohibits anyone who has been elected president twice from being elected again. Under the amendment, someone who fills an unexpired presidential term lasting more than two years is also prohibited from being elected president more than once. The 23rd Amendment allows American citizens residing in the District of Columbia to vote for presidential electors, who in turn vote in the Electoral College for President and Vice President. In layperson's terms, the Amendment means that residents of the District are able to vote for President and Vice President. The 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution says that if the President becomes unable to do his job, the Vice President becomes the President (Section 1) or Acting President (Sections 3 or 4). Vice President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, President pro tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State
Executive Office of the President
The EOP has responsibility for tasks ranging from communicating the President'smessage to the American people to promoting our trade interests abroad. Overseen by the White House Chief of Staff, the EOP has traditionally been home to many of the President's closest advisors.
Name three significant positions in our government the President has the power to appoint (with Senate confirmation).
The President also appoints the heads of more than 50 independent federal commissions, such as the Federal Reserve Board or the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as federal judges, ambassadors, and other federal offices.
Powers of the Presidency: `Executive Powers & the executive order ~Executive Privilege `Diplomatic & Military Powers `Legislative & Judicial Powers ~Powers of pardon, clemency
The President can issue executive orders, which direct executive officers or clarify and further existing laws. The President also has the power to extend pardons and clemencies for federal crimes...the privilege, claimed by the president for the executive branch of the US government, of withholding information in the public interest. Chief DiplomatThe President is the commander in chief if the nation's armed forces, and he usually negotiates treaties with foreign nations. Legislative—Makes laws (Congress, comprised of the House of Representatives and Senate) Executive—Carries out laws (president, vice president, Cabinet, most federal agencies) Judicial—Evaluates laws (Supreme Court and other courts)...The Constitution gives the president the "Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment." When it comes to reducing our prison populations, we've argued that this power should be used more frequently as a vital mechanism of mercy, tempering the often harsh
"Roles" of the Presidency
The President is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress and, to that end, appoints the heads of the federal agencies, including the Cabinet. The Vice President is also part of the Executive Branch, ready to assume the Presidency should the need arise.
Identify the specific role the president is executing in the following situations:
The President is serving as our nation's chief spokesperson to the rest of the world: As the nation's chief diplomat, the President is the main architect of American foreign policy and chief spokesperson to the rest of the world. The Constitution makes the President the commander in chief, giving him or her complete control of the nation's armed forces. The President helps establish a Congressional agenda and focus for lawmaking: Under Article II of the Constitution, the President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress. ... The President has the power either to sign legislation into law or to veto bills enacted by Congress, although Congress may override a veto with a two-thirds vote of both houses. The President is issuing an executive order to carry out a specific policy on behalf of the people: What are the limits on an executive order, i.e., what can the president do by executive order without legislation by Congress? (1) Can only control action to the extent permitted by law and where applicable. They do not bind independent agencies. (2) The president can guide the discretion of agencies under his control. The President serves as the "ceremonial" head of state in greeting a foreign ambassador to our country: -Chief of State Acts as the symbolic leader of the country -Chief Executive Executes the laws, appoints key federal officials, grants pardons and reprieves -Commander in Chief Runs the armed forces -Chief Diplomat Negotiates with other countries -Chief Legislator Signs or vetoes legislation, introduces legislation, works with Congress on the budget -Super politician Helps his or her party raise money and elect candidates
How did the 12th Amendment change how we elect a president?
The Twelfth Amendment stipulates that each elector must cast distinct votes for president and vice president, instead of two votes for president. ... If no candidate for vice president has a majority of the total votes, the Senate, with each senator having one vote, chooses the vice president.
Of the four most popular ideas to reform the Electoral College which is MOST democratic?
The automatic plan, which would award electoral votes automatically and on the current winner-take-all basis in each state. And the district plan
What are the most notable differences in structure between the Governor's executive branch and the Federal Cabinet & Bureaucracy?
The federal bureaucracy consists of the Cabinet departments, independent agencies, government corporations, and independent regulatory commissions.
Identify and define a power the president has dealing with foreign countries.
The president appoints ambassadors, ministers, and consuls (subject to confirmation by the Senate) and receives foreign ambassadors and other public officials. With the secretary of state, the president manages all official contacts with foreign governments.
Why is the ordinance power (executive order) important but also controversial?
The president has also implied powers to reach executive agreements and execute executive orders. ... This is controversial because of the fact that it is an implied power, meaning it is not written in the constitution.
Development of the "Spoils system"
The spoils system flourished unchallenged in the United States from the 1820s until after the Civil War, at which time the system's abuses prompted civil-service reforms designed to cut down the number of government posts filled by appointment and to award jobs on the basis of merit.
Comparison with the Iowa Governor & Cabinet positions Current Office-holders in President Trump's Cabinet
The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of the Presidency itself. Established in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, the Cabinet's role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office.
The President's Cabinet: purpose and responsibilities
The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of the Presidency itself. Established in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, the Cabinet's role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office.
What would be one example of a President operating as a "steward"? What would be an example of a president operating as a "whig"?
Whig: View that the President should adhere to a strict approach to their post and follow those specifically enumerated powers. Approach is also known as "Taftian" theory. Steward: View that the president should practice a governing style where it is their responsibility to do what is necessary in the best interest of the nation to lead the people, going beyond the expressed powers of the Constitution.
"Whig" vs. "Steward approach to office
While the Whig theory saw the president as limited to the powers clearly expressed in theConstitution, stewardship theory looks for all possible outlets for presidential power and authority.
