My Responses to 4 FRQs

#1 2005 FRQ A1. One provision of the Constitution is the power to tax and spend. One example of this is the ability of congress to authorize and appropriate funds for new programs and services. Congress also has the power to tax states and individuals in order to help pay for their appropriations. The power to tax and spend has been used over time to expand federal power by creating programs that often times come with “strings attached.” If for example, money is appropriated by Congress for “No Child Left Behind Act”, there is a clear expectation that states oversea ever increasing rates of performance improvement by their students or potentially face sanctions. A2. Another provision of the Constitution is the Commerce Clause. The Commerce Clause has been used repeatedly as an enforcement mechanism for states to ensure their compliance on such matters as civil rights. The Commerce Clause has been used over time to expand federal power by ensuring that federal laws are followed on such matters as fair hotel accommodation for African Americans. In the past, blacks were denied the right to stay in “whites only” hotels. The Supreme Court backed up use of the commerce clause for appeal of the Jim Crow era law. B1. The Americans with Disabilities Act has increased the power of the federal government relative to the power of the states by creating an unfunded mandate. That is a law that requires state compliance over public accommodations in restaurants and other public places for persons with disabilities. No money is given by the federal government to help public accommodations become up to code-only potential fines. B2. The Clean Air Act has increased the power of the federal government relative to the power of the states by requiring states to develop standards for clean air and water by a certain imposed deadline. Potential sanctions were placed in effect if states were found to be out of compliance. In some cases, federal highway funds were threatened if states refused to clean up their air and water fast enough. #2 2004 FRQ A1. Divided government is defined as one political party occupying one branch (for example the Executive Branch) of government while the other political party occupies the other branch of government (for example the Legislative Branch). One way in which divided government has contributed to the decline in trust in government is that people become frustrated with the belief that with divided government “nothing gets done” or a state of gridlock exists. With people believing that the government cannot get things done, in some cases people stay away from voting. B1. The increased cost if election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government by creating the impression that politicians are bought and sold by special interests. It is true that millions of dollars are spent by political action committees (PACs) on candidates with the expectation of reciprocity for the money spent. C1. One consequence of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior is a downturn in the number of people voting in the United States. Our rate of participation nationally is below 50% compared to 80 to 90% of other industrialized nations. C2. Another consequence of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior is the prevalence of third party candidates who have an alternative appeal to many Americans. Third party candidates often present a different set of issues that are not recognized by mainstream candidates. Many political independents often vote for third party candidates who have virtually no chance of election given the “winner take all” nature of our unitary system. #3 FRQ 2008 A1. One measure taken by some states prior to the 1960’s affected voter turnout among African American citizens concerned the restriction of voting rights. Many southern states enacted poll taxes designed to keep African Americans from voting. Southern pollsters simply made it too expensive for blacks to vote. A2. Another measure taken by some states prior to the 1960’s affected voter turnout among African American citizens concerned the literacy tests. Literacy tests were designed to create an impossible barrier for blacks to overcome. Most of the tests administered were impossible even for whites to pass. B1. One alternative form of participation that helped bring changes in civil rights policies included filing amicus curiae briefs. The NAACP filed a number of legal challenges on behalf of discriminated African Americans which ultimately led both to court decision (such as Brown v. Board of Education) and legislation such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965. B2. Another alternative form of participation that helped bring changes in civil rights policies included organizing and carrying out mass protests over disenfranchisement issues. C1. The carrying out of mass protest movements was a very effective means in changing civil rights policies because it magnified the issue of discrimination not only in the South but throughout the United States and the rest of the world. These protests placed a great deal of pressure on both the Congress and the courts to change southern discriminatory laws and practices. #4 2003 FRQ A1. Specialization is one element of the congressional committee system. It is defined as the cumulative experience most members of congress develop over time that creates more or less a specialist out of them. Most members of congress spend years on a particular committee and became “experts” in their given area. Specialization influences the legislative process by allowing for certain bills to be sent to the appropriate committee and ultimately leads to the bill being written properly. Since most bills die in committee, it is essential that a bill in its early stages be sent to the proper committee with the requisite expertise that will allow for its full consideration. A2. Party representation on committees is one element of the congressional committee system. It is defined as the control given to the numerical majority of a given party. When an election is completed and the party out of power becomes the party in power, then all committee business is controlled by that party to include seniority seating, agenda setting, debate control and so forth. Party representation on committees influences the legislative process by potentially completely realigning the legislative agenda. The party in power as mentioned controls which bills make it to the floor and etc. B1. One way in which party leadership in Congress can influence the legislative process is through agenda setting which is set through the rules committee. Agenda setting is a critical power which determines which issues will be made prominent and ultimately which bills will be considered. B2. Another way in which party leadership in Congress can influence the legislative process is through going public on a particular bill. This is usually handled in the House by the Speaker or minority leader and in the Senate by the majority or minority leader. By talking to the American people through use of the radio or television, it is possible to rally public support for a particular item or agenda. The media often pay close attention to important bills (particularly the controversial ones) and will shine a spotlight on the issues at hand. This can affect public opinion and ultimately lead to a bill’s passage or failure.