Spring Break Hello!!!

Hello Class,

Hope you are enjoying your break. For those of you working on the extra credit assignment (the forty FRQ's), if you are looking for missing pages, they can be found at:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/usgov/samp.html?usgovpol
Remember, this FRQ assignment will be due before May 3rd (the date of the test). It's all or nothing-no partial credit.

I just received an email from the Whole Foods lady. She said she will donate 250 cookies to our cause. This would help pay for all students who had to pay extra $73 ($86-$13=$73) for our class. For those nine students who would like to participate to raise the $657 we will need to sell the cookies next week. Let me know if you are interested. I'll poll you in class on Tuesday. Continue to enjoy the Break!

Finishing Off Fiscal and Monetary Policy

Hi Class. On Monday, we will finish off Fiscal and Monetary Policy by taking a multiple choice quiz (10 questions) which can be f0und on my workspace at: http://www.mtbarclay.com/mrbarclaysgovernmentclassalisalhighschool200708/id13.html

Right next to the quiz is a link that offers a short and concise explanation of both Fiscal and Monetary policies. Take a look at it. It may be helpful review for those AP Econ students and certainly for our students not taking AP Econ.

For the rest of the week, I will focus on Environmental Policy and Foreign Policy. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

2008 Fiscal and Monetary Policy DBQ Student Response

a) Fiscal Policy refers to the budget and revenue, or taxing and spending.
b) The Executive Branch draws up and proposes a budget for each fiscal year, which is generally the basis for federal spending (though it is usually passed in altered form).
c) Congress ultimately controls fiscal policy; all bills for raising or appropriating money must go through it.
d) Monetary Policy is the amount of money in the market; it is used by the Fed to control interest rates.
e) One reason the Federal Reserve Board (or Fed) is given independence in monetary policy is to prevent political interference. For this reason the Chairman is given a 6-year term rather than changing with each new president. He or she is supposed to be a technocrat rather than a political appointee. Another reason for the Fed's independence is to allow for swift action. It's much easier for a small board to respond immediately to a problem than for a 535-member Congress.

2002 Sample Response on Social Policy: Due Tomorrow in Class

This Answer Earned Full Credit on the Exam in 2002

A) The figure shows that, since 1965, the government has decreased its spending on benefits for children while increasing these for the elderly. In 1965, about 37% of welfare spending was spent on children which decreased to less than 25% by 1985. In contrast, the elderly received 21% of benefits in 1965 which increased to 33% in 1985.

B) Two main factors explain this trend. First is the growing population of older people. While it has not yet peaked, it has definitely been expanding. Second is that the elderly have a much larger say in government than children. The elderly vote in high numbers while children cannot vote and their younger parents vote less than the elderly. The elderly also have political action committees to promote their causes while children don't.

C) Because elderly people vote more and are increasing in size, representatives pay more attention to what the elderly want since representatives know they need the support of the elderly to be re-elected. Political activism causes the concerns of the elderly to be heard more, so politicians spend more money on the elderly to make them happy. This money has to come from someplace so so cuts are made from programs of less vocal people like children. Also, even if the government was not increasing the amount of benefits per person, the number of elderly persons is going up, so spending would increase on them, while children in comparison, have not been expanding as fast in the general p0pulation.

Fiscal and Monetary Policy

Class,

Tomorrow I will be talking about Fiscal and Monetary policy in class. There will be a Sabato quiz to start things out on this topic. Please read pages: 669-682 in preparation for the quiz. These pages contain information on economic policy. We are moving ahead "a la carte" for Public Policy. I can't be as linear as I have been for the majority of this year's class. We still have the Civil Liberties and Rights unit which we'll start upon our return from Spring Break.

So, tomorrow we'll start out with the Sabato quiz, I'll have a very brief lecture on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, then I will show you a 30 minute Economics U$A video on the same topic. I will also assign you the FRQ on Fiscal and Monetary Policy (it's also in your packet) which can be found at: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap08_go_po_us_frq.pdf

See you tomorrow!

For Monday

For Monday you will be quizzed on Sabato pages: 632-636. There will be testing on Tuesday through Thursday (?) for the CAHSEE so our schedule will be somewhat "fouled up." My goal is to get through the Public Policy Unit with time to spare for Civil Liberties/Civil Rights. Our time is getting shorter.

Continue the reading with Sabato as mentioned above. The other Wilson reading handout (that was given to you on Friday) is for students who really desire to "nail down" public policy concepts. It is optional. Additionally, on Friday I passed out APGOPO questions that were for the readings that you did last Tuesday . Apparently, some of the pages may have been missing. You need to let me know if you are missing pages (the questions on social, economic and foreign policy). You are responsible for getting those questions answered before the next notebook check.

Regarding fundraising for APGOPO waivers, I need more "buy in" from you. I don't sense the urgency that this undertaking requires. I need to know that you are willing to get involved in such things as: (1) selling cookies in front of Wal-Mart on a Saturday (2) making a big poster to advertise where the money is going (i.e. "Fundraising AHS f0r AP Test") (3) someone to take care of the cashbox and to turn it in...etc. This sort of thing would require coordination and extra work. I am willing to help you every step of the way, however, I need to know from you that you will get involved....Let me know!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and see you Monday!!!

Tomorrow's Reading

Class, for tonight read Sabato, pages 620 to 625. There will be a quiz tomorrow as their was today. I will be absent tomorrow. Mr. Cisneros (Juan) will be subbing for me. I want you following the quiz, to work on the APGOPO reading on Public Policy that Hector passed out to you today (the bundled pages). Please do the entire reading and answer the questions in class. Please work INDIVIDUALLY on this assignment. I'll be back on Wednesday....

For Monday

Hi Class,

To remind, we are starting Unit 5 on Monday (Public Policy). For a "heads up" on tomorrow's quiz, hit the link and then find the quiz (Public Policy Quiz #1):
http://www.mtbarclay.com/mrbarclaysgovernmentclassalisalhighschool200708/id13.html

At this time I want to announce that my FRQ assignment is ready but needs to be reproduced for class "takers." It should be ready by this Friday. Let me be blunt: this is a BIG assignment. It will contain about 40 FRQ's for you to write. This is why it will be VOLUNTARY and worth a GRADE and a HALF BOOST. For example, if you have 50% as a final grade at the end of the semester, you will receive a 65% and up and up she goes from there...

I believe that the only potential stumbling block for many of you is to write analystically and confidently on the FRQ's. If you practice these FRQ's you will have a much greater chance at passing the APGO. Let me also remind you that if you get a "3" or greater, I will give you an automatic "A" for the course...If you get a four, I will carry your backpack around for a week, a five and I will shave my head (just kidding!!!).

Now, producing 40 FRQ's seems like a HUGE chore. I will explain to you an option that should make this assignment very manageable. Sound interesting? See you tomorrow!

Supreme Court FRQ

2000 FRQ on Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is commonly thought to be above politics yet one can argue that the appointment of Supreme Court Justices is political. (a.) Identify three characteristics of Supreme Court nominees and discuss how each characteristic has been politically relevant during the nomination process. (b) Identify two methods that have been used by interest groups to influence the appointment process. Explain how each of these methods has been used to influence that process.

My Answer

While the Supreme Court is thought to enjoy considerable independence from the Executive and Legislative Branches, they are not immune to politics during their nomination process. The entire confirmation process is a public affair and the nominees do have certain characteristics that make their selection politically relevant.

(a) (1) One factor related to the selection of a Supreme Court nominee would be their POLITICAL IDEOLOGY. Presidents typically choose candidates who share ideologies that are in line with their own. However, a president must be careful not to choose a nominee whose ideologies go to far beyond what is considered the "main stream." Robert Bork was not confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee due to what was believed, his extreme views.

(a)(2) Another factor for consideration is a nominee's RACE. The trend in recent years has been for presidents to chose a nominee that is more representative of America at-large. Increasingly, persons that represent diversity are very likely choices for the High Court.

(a)(3) A third factor for consideration is a nominee's AGE. Most recently with the selection of John Roberts as Chief Justice, President Bush chose a nominee whose presence and influence on the bench will have a long and lasting impact. Many presidents are concerned with their legacy while in office. Choosing a young Supreme Court Justice ensures that their impact will last for years to come, for better or worse.

Interest Groups are very interested and active in the selection process of Supreme Court nominees. Huge issues are at stake that may have considerable influence over interest group agendas that can have a long term impact.

(b)(1) One way in which interest groups influence Supreme Court nominee selection is through their use of DIRECT MAIL CAMPAIGNS to their constituents. If, for example a nominee is to have particularly strong views on abortion, both anti- and pro- abortion interest groups will send out literature, make phone calls and potentially buy advertising time to either support or defeat a nominee. These interest groups would further recommend for example that its constituents write or phone in their opinions to their Congressmen/women that may ultimately affect a vote of nomination.

(b)(2) Another way in which interest groups influence Supreme Court nominee selection is through their LOBBYING of either the White House or with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Campaign contributions are a strong incentive that interest groups may provide or withhold for these two groups. The threat of withholding either voting or monetary support in retaliation for a poorly chosen Supreme Court nominee can be a powerful incentive.