Changes

=== Other Reasons for Romney's Loss ===

=== Other Reasons for Romney's Loss ===

There are other reasons, both in campaign tactics and in substance, which might explain Romney's loss.  Indeed, most students in this class predicted weeks ago that Romney would lose, even though Romney was ahead in the polls to times in October.

There are other reasons, both in campaign tactics and in substance, which might explain Romney's loss.  Indeed, most students in this class predicted weeks ago that Romney would lose, even though Romney was ahead in the polls at times in October.

One possible reason for Romney losing was how he handled the important final debate.  He intentionally appeared friendlier and more conciliatory in his attempt to win support of more women voters, and indicated that he agreed with Obama on several positions.  Obama's approval rating then improved and most people thought he won the debate, because even his sharpest critic (Romney) seemed in agreement with him.  The slight improvement in Obama's approval rating, from about 48% to 50%, may have meant the difference between Romney winning or losing.  Obama received a vote total of 50%, exactly the same as his approval rating.  Had Obama's rating stayed at 48%, then his final vote total may have been only 48%, and he may have lost.  This was an illustration of why a political candidate should not agree with the incumbent he is trying to defeat.

One possible reason for Romney losing was how he handled the important final debate.  He intentionally appeared friendlier and more conciliatory in his attempt to win support of more women voters, and indicated that he agreed with Obama on several positions.  Obama's approval rating then improved and most people thought he won the debate, because even his sharpest critic (Romney) seemed in agreement with him.  The slight improvement in Obama's approval rating, from about 48% to 50%, may have meant the difference between Romney winning or losing.  Obama received a vote total of 50%, exactly the same as his approval rating.  Had Obama's rating stayed at 48%, then his final vote total may have been only 48%, and he may have lost.  This was an illustration of why a political candidate should not agree with the incumbent he is trying to defeat.

The Republicans held their majority in the House of Representatives, despite the coattails of the Democrats winning the presidency and improving their majority in the U.S. Senate to 55-45.  (The U.S. Senate has two Independents, but they will likely "caucus" or vote with the Democrats, and thus are usually included in the Democrats' overall tally.)

The Republicans held their majority in the House of Representatives, despite the coattails of the Democrats winning the presidency and improving their majority in the U.S. Senate to 55-45.  (The U.S. Senate has two Independents, but they will likely "caucus" or vote with the Democrats, and thus are usually included in the Democrats' overall tally.)

The House of Representatives (the "House") is historically the most powerful part of government, as it is the starting point for all financial bills, such as the annual budget.  By retaining control of the House, Republicans remain on equal footing with the Democrats with respect to any new legislation that will be proposed.  This "divided government" may result in "gridlock" (a term for when nothing new becomes law because Democrats control part of government and Republicans control the other part, and they do not agree).

The House of Representatives (the "House") is historically the most powerful part of government, as it is the starting point for all spending bills, such as the annual budget.  By retaining control of the House, Republicans remain on equal footing with the Democrats with respect to any new legislation that will be proposed.  This "divided government" may result in "gridlock" (a term for when nothing new becomes law because Democrats control part of government and Republicans control the other part, and they do not agree).

=== Initiative and Referendum ===

=== Initiative and Referendum ===

There are many examples of when the majority view of the people is not what is best for the Nation.  When a proposed law to increase the minimum wage is put on the ballot for a vote by the people, it wins nearly every time because most people do not understand economics.<ref>A rare exception was in 1996 in Missouri, when a minimum wage referendum in Missouri was defeated "overwhelmingly." [http://www.mdn.org/1996/STORIES/NEWS32.HTM#3]</ref>  They think that laws increasing the minimum wage make people better off, because they then earn more money for doing the same work.  Most people do not realize that a higher minimum wage results in more unemployment, because businesses cannot hire as many people at the higher wages.  A higher minimum wage also results in fewer young people going to college, because they decide to make more money working instead.  Some of those young people would have been better off by going to college and obtaining a better job later.

There are many examples of when the majority view of the people is not what is best for the Nation.  When a proposed law to increase the minimum wage is put on the ballot for a vote by the people, it wins nearly every time because most people do not understand economics.<ref>A rare exception was in 1996 in Missouri, when a minimum wage referendum in Missouri was defeated "overwhelmingly." [http://www.mdn.org/1996/STORIES/NEWS32.HTM#3]</ref>  They think that laws increasing the minimum wage make people better off, because they then earn more money for doing the same work.  Most people do not realize that a higher minimum wage results in more unemployment, because businesses cannot hire as many people at the higher wages.  A higher minimum wage also results in fewer young people going to college, because they decide to make more money working instead.  Some of those young people would have been better off by going to college and obtaining a better job later.

The States of Colorado and Washington had initiatives on their ballots this recent Election Day to make it legal for people to smoke marijuana.  Most people voted for these initiatives, so they became law, but the result will be very harmful for society.  There will be more drivers on the road who are on drugs and crash into other people with accidents.  There will be more crime resulting from the drug use, and more students will drop out of school or lose their jobs because they became addicted to the drugs.  There will be more health problems, as drug use has been associated with increased brain tumors and other serious problems.  What the majority of the people approved is not what is best for society, and this illustrates why the Founders opposed a democracy.  Elected representatives would not have approved these laws that the people passed.

The States of Colorado and Washington had initiatives on their ballots this recent Election Day to make it legal for people to smoke marijuana.  Most people voted for these initiatives, so they became law, but the result will be very harmful for society.  There will be more drivers on the road who are on drugs and crash into other people in accidents.  There will be more crime resulting from the drug use, and more students will drop out of school or lose their jobs because they became addicted to the drugs.  There will be more health problems, as drug use has been associated with increased brain tumors and other serious problems.  What the majority of the people approved is not what is best for society, and this illustrates why the Founders opposed a democracy.  Elected representatives would not have approved these laws that the people passed.

In New Jersey, the people voted to allow state colleges to go into additional debt in the amount of $750 million, despite already being in enormous debt.  Perhaps people voted for it because they thought it would improve education for students, without recognizing how harmful more debt is.

In New Jersey, the people voted to allow state colleges to go into additional debt in the amount of $750 million, despite already being in enormous debt.  Perhaps people voted for it because they thought it would improve education for students, without recognizing how harmful more debt is.

=== Filibuster Rule in the U.S. Senate ===

=== Filibuster Rule in the U.S. Senate ===

All legislative chamber, such as the House of Representatives and the Senate, have their own rules governing their procedures.  How bills can be introduced, debated, amended and voted upon are determined by the rules adopted by the particular legislative chamber at the beginning of its session.

All legislative chambers, such as the House of Representatives and the Senate, have their own rules governing their procedures.  How bills can be introduced, debated, amended and voted upon are determined by the rules adopted by the particular legislative chamber at the beginning of its session.

The House of Representatives  procedures are similar to "Roberts' Rules of Order," which is the standard set of rules governing parliamentary procedure in most organizations, public or private, in the United States.  Indeed, Roberts' Rules of Order were originally based on the procedures used by the House in the 19th century.

The House of Representatives  procedures are similar to "Roberts' Rules of Order," which is the standard set of rules governing parliamentary procedure in most organizations, public or private, in the United States.  Indeed, Roberts' Rules of Order were originally based on the procedures used by the House in the 19th century.

<br>2.  Explain the difference between an "initiative" and a "referendum".

<br>2.  Explain the difference between an "initiative" and a "referendum".

<br>3.  Other than your answer to question 1, why else do you think Obama defeated Romney?  Explain.

<br>3.  Other than your answer to question 1, why else do you think Obama defeated Romney?  Explain.

<br>5.  Explain what "divided government" and "gridlock" are, and what your view of them are.

<br>4.  Explain what "divided government" and "gridlock" are, and what your view of them are.

<br>6.  Do you think it was right for Governor Chris Christie to praise Obama so much so close to Election Day?  Discuss, perhaps using a sports analogy where a player on one team gives the ball to a player on the other team at a crucial moment because he wanted to.

<br>6.  Do you think it was right for Governor Chris Christie to praise Obama so much so close to Election Day?  Discuss, perhaps using a sports analogy where a player on one team gives the ball to a player on the other team at a crucial moment because he wanted to.

<br>7.  Does New Jersey allow an "initiative" and, if not, should it?

<br>7.  What is a "recall", and which types of officials are susceptible to it? Would you interpret U.S. Constitution as preventing the people of New Jersey from recalling a U.S. Senator?  Discuss.

<br>8.  Do you agree with Ron Paul's quote at the beginning of the lecture?

<br>8.  Do you agree with Ron Paul's quote at the beginning of the lecture?

'''Extra credit''' (answer two of the following five questions):

'''Extra credit''' (answer two of the following five questions):

9. What is a "recall", and which types of officials are susceptible to it?  Would you interpret U.S. Constitution as preventing the people of New Jersey from recalling a U.S. Senator?  Discuss.

9. What is the "fiscal cliff"?  Discuss.

<br>10. Do you think Romney could have won if he had taken or emphasized different positions, or handled the third debate differently?  Discuss.

<br>10. Do you think Romney could have won if he had taken or emphasized different positions, or handled the third debate differently?  Discuss.

<br>11. Explain the two different types of referenda, and whether you like one better than the other.

<br>11. Explain the two different types of referenda, and whether you like one better than the other.

<br>12.  What is your view of the New Jersey college bond referendum that passed, which increased debt by $750 million based on a promise of improving state universities?

<br>12.  What is your view of the New Jersey college bond referendum that passed, which increased debt by $750 million based on a promise of improving state universities?

<br>13.  Discuss any topic in this lecture, such as your view of what should be done about the "fiscal cliff."

<br>13.  Discuss any topic in this lecture.

You can post your answers at [[American Government Homework Eight]].

You can post your answers at [[American Government Homework Eight]].