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[[Mathematics|Math]] is important, but so is [[government]]. You cannot drive a [[Automobile|car]] without a license from [[government]]. You cannot own land without complying with [[government]]’s rules. It requires a [[government]] license to work as a [[doctor]], [[Attorney|lawyer]], accountant, [[architect]], electrician, undertaker, plumber and so on.

[[Mathematics|Math]] is important, but so is [[government]]. You cannot drive a [[Automobile|car]] without a license from [[government]]. You cannot own land without complying with [[government]]’s rules. It requires a [[government]] license to work as a [[doctor]], [[Attorney|lawyer]], accountant, [[architect]], electrician, undertaker, plumber and so on.

You probably need a license to hunt, or own a gun. You even need a license to cut someone else’s hair for pay. You have to understand how [[government]] works in order to get anything done.

You probably need a license to hunt, or own a gun. You even need a license to cut someone else's hair for pay. You have to understand how [[government]] works in order to get anything done.

When something bad happens, such as the [[bridge]] collapsing about a [[month]] ago in [[Minnesota]], we need to know which part of [[government]] is responsible. Was that [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]]'s fault? How would you find out?  

When something bad happens, such as the [[bridge]] collapsing about a [[month]] ago in [[Minnesota]], we need to know which part of [[government]] is responsible. Was that [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]]'s fault? How would you find out?  

How do we know what the [[President of the United States of America|President]], [[Congress]] and the [[Supreme Court]] can and cannot do? They are all explained in one brief document: the [[United States Constitution]].

How do we know what the [[President of the United States of America|President]], [[Congress]] and the [[Supreme Court]] can and cannot do? They are all explained in one brief document: the [[United States Constitution]].

Look on page 317 of your textbook. There it is, the entire [[United States Constitution]]. Without the [[Amendment]]s and signatures, it is only 12 pages long: pp. 317–28. If you truly learn those 12 pages, then you will know more than most [[Attorney|lawyer]]s, [[politician]]s, [[college]] graduates, and 99% of the population. It’s that simple.

Look on page 317 of your textbook. There it is, the entire [[United States Constitution]]. Without the [[Amendment]]s and signatures, it is only 12 pages long: pp. 317–28. If you truly learn those 12 pages, then you will know more than most [[Attorney|lawyer]]s, [[politician]]s, [[college]] graduates, and 99% of the population. It's that simple.

If you ever want to be a [[Attorney|lawyer]], you will have to pass the [[Bar exam]]. One-quarter of the exam consists of [[question]]s about the [[Constitution]]. Most [[people]], even after [[law]] school, don't know it very well. Most [[politician]]s don't know it at all. We will.

If you ever want to be a [[Attorney|lawyer]], you will have to pass the [[Bar exam]]. One-quarter of the exam consists of [[question]]s about the [[Constitution]]. Most [[people]], even after [[law]] school, don't know it very well. Most [[politician]]s don't know it at all. We will.

Whenever you take a course, or do anything, ask yourself why you are doing it. In the [[parable]] of the [[Prodigal Son]] (Luke 15:11-24), the son left his father, lost everything, and became very hungry. The turning point was when he finally questioned his own conduct. What was the logic to it? He realized his behavior made no sense, and then changed. Imagine how much better off everyone would be if they [[question]]ed their own conduct that way. There would be no [[drugs|drug]] addicts, for example.

Whenever you take a course, or do anything, ask yourself why you are doing it. In the [[parable]] of the [[Prodigal Son]] (Luke 15:11-24), the son left his father, lost everything, and became very hungry. The turning point was when he finally questioned his own conduct. What was the logic to it? He realized his behavior made no sense, and then changed. Imagine how much better off everyone would be if they [[question]]ed their own conduct that way. There would be no [[drugs|drug]] addicts, for example.

In the acclaimed movie “[[A Beautiful Mind]],” the [[professor]] began his class by asking the [[question]]: “Why are you here?” The better [[answer]] you can give, the better you will do. I’m very glad you are here, but you should be able to explain your own goals in being here.

In the acclaimed movie “[[A Beautiful Mind]],” the [[professor]] began his class by asking the [[question]]: “Why are you here?” The better [[answer]] you can give, the better you will do. I'm very glad you are here, but you should be able to explain your own goals in being here.

Let me ask myself: why am I teaching this course? Because I know that many of you will become experts in [[government]] as a result. You will use your [[knowledge]] for the benefit of everyone. Maybe you will limit [[government]], or maybe you will improve it, or both. Or maybe you will use [[government]] to accomplish something more important in the [[free market]].

Let me ask myself: why am I teaching this course? Because I know that many of you will become experts in [[government]] as a result. You will use your [[knowledge]] for the benefit of everyone. Maybe you will limit [[government]], or maybe you will improve it, or both. Or maybe you will use [[government]] to accomplish something more important in the [[free market]].

I like the [[book]] for several reasons. It has great reference material in the [[appendix|appendices]] (pp. 303–47): a helpful glossary, a well-formatted copy of the [[Constitution]], and an easy-to-use list of important [[Supreme Court]] cases. Its layout of the [[Constitution]] is the best I’ve seen. Refer to the [[appendix|appendices]] in the textbook constantly during the course. Use them in class, and use them when doing the homework.

I like the [[book]] for several reasons. It has great reference material in the [[appendix|appendices]] (pp. 303–47): a helpful glossary, a well-formatted copy of the [[Constitution]], and an easy-to-use list of important [[Supreme Court]] cases. Its layout of the [[Constitution]] is the best I’ve seen. Refer to the [[appendix|appendices]] in the textbook constantly during the course. Use them in class, and use them when doing the homework.

You could benefit from adding more terms to the glossary during this course. Here’s one: [[suffrage]] (pronunciation \SUH-frij\). It is a noun, and it means “the right of [[vote|voting]], franchise.” You could create a list of new terms on a separate piece of paper, and insert it with the [[book]]’s glossary for easy reference.

You could benefit from adding more terms to the glossary during this course. Here's one: [[suffrage]] (pronunciation \SUH-frij\). It is a noun, and it means “the right of [[vote|voting]], franchise.” You could create a list of new terms on a separate piece of paper, and insert it with the [[book]]’s glossary for easy reference.

The textbook also has many multiple choice [[question]]s at the end of each chapter. This is good to increase motivation and generate immediate feedback on how well you learned the chapter. Each week, we will complete a chapter and then you will test yourself on the multiple choice quiz. You will turn in your score as part of your homework.

The textbook also has many multiple choice [[question]]s at the end of each chapter. This is good to increase motivation and generate immediate feedback on how well you learned the chapter. Each week, we will complete a chapter and then you will test yourself on the multiple choice quiz. You will turn in your score as part of your homework.

The first [[political parties|political party]] in the [[country]] was the “[[Federalist Party]]”. It stood for a stronger [[federal]] [[government]]. [[Alexander Hamilton]] founded it to help pass his program of a national [[bank]] and assumption by the [[federal]] [[government]] of all the [[war]] [[debt]]s. He used it to impose a [[federal]] [[alcoholic drink|liquor]] [[tax]], which resulted in [[the Whiskey Rebellion]] in 1794. Look up the term “[[Federalist Party]]” on page 307 in the textbook.

The first [[political parties|political party]] in the [[country]] was the “[[Federalist Party]]”. It stood for a stronger [[federal]] [[government]]. [[Alexander Hamilton]] founded it to help pass his program of a national [[bank]] and assumption by the [[federal]] [[government]] of all the [[war]] [[debt]]s. He used it to impose a [[federal]] [[alcoholic drink|liquor]] [[tax]], which resulted in [[the Whiskey Rebellion]] in 1794. Look up the term “[[Federalist Party]]” on page 307 in the textbook.

Do you know the difference between [[federal]] and [[state]] [[government]]? Look in your [[telephone|phone]] book. You’ll see they are usually listed in separate [[category|categories]]. Let’s take some examples. Who handles drivers licenses? ([[state]]) [[Social Security]]? ( [[federal]] ) [[Sales tax]] on [[computer]]s? (state) [[Sales tax]] on [[gasoline|gas]]? (both [[federal]] and [[state]] are included in the [[price]] at the pump) [[Public schools]]? (local) [[United States Postal Service|Post office]]? ( [[federal]] ) Libraries? (local) [[Army]]? (federal) Security guards at [[airport]]s? (mostly [[federal]] now, due to [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]]) Traffic [[court]]? (local) [[Police]]? (local) Imagine you want to start a [[business]] and [[trademark]] the name of your [[business]]. Who controls [[trademark]]s? (mostly [[federal]] , see http://www.uspto.gov/, [[state]]s can also protect [[business]] names)

Do you know the difference between [[federal]] and [[state]] [[government]]? Look in your [[telephone|phone]] book. You'll see they are usually listed in separate [[category|categories]]. Let's take some examples. Who handles drivers licenses? ([[state]]) [[Social Security]]? ( [[federal]] ) [[Sales tax]] on [[computer]]s? (state) [[Sales tax]] on [[gasoline|gas]]? (both [[federal]] and [[state]] are included in the [[price]] at the pump) [[Public schools]]? (local) [[United States Postal Service|Post office]]? ( [[federal]] ) Libraries? (local) [[Army]]? (federal) Security guards at [[airport]]s? (mostly [[federal]] now, due to [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]]) Traffic [[court]]? (local) [[Police]]? (local) Imagine you want to start a [[business]] and [[trademark]] the name of your [[business]]. Who controls [[trademark]]s? (mostly [[federal]] , see http://www.uspto.gov/, [[state]]s can also protect [[business]] names)

How about this one: what is [[Federal Express]]? They deliver overnight packages, guaranteed. Is it part of the [[federal]] [[government]]? Nope. It is completely private. They use the name “[[federal]]” to make them look official. They have nothing to do with the [[government]].

How about this one: what is [[Federal Express]]? They deliver overnight packages, guaranteed. Is it part of the [[federal]] [[government]]? Nope. It is completely private. They use the name “[[federal]]” to make them look official. They have nothing to do with the [[government]].

When you see [[government]] officials, think of whether they are [[federal]] or not. Why does it matter?  

When you see [[government]] officials, think of whether they are [[federal]] or not. Why does it matter?  

It makes a big difference. First of all, you have to know who to call. If the garbage man isn’t picking up your garbage, it doesn’t help to call the [[White House]]. The [[governor]] isn’t going to help you either. Neither is the [[Supreme Court]]. You should try calling your municipal building, where your [[mayor]] works. But if your grandfather’s [[Social Security]] check didn’t arrive, your [[mayor]] isn’t going to be able to help. You need to contact the appropriate [[federal]] [[agency]]. Maybe your [[Congressman]] can help if you cannot obtain [[answer]]s from the [[federal]] [[government]].

It makes a big difference. First of all, you have to know who to call. If the garbage man isn't picking up your garbage, it doesn't help to call the [[White House]]. The [[governor]] isn't going to help you either. Neither is the [[Supreme Court]]. You should try calling your municipal building, where your [[mayor]] works. But if your grandfather's [[Social Security]] check didn't arrive, your [[mayor]] isn't going to be able to help. You need to contact the appropriate [[federal]] [[agency]]. Maybe your [[Congressman]] can help if you cannot obtain [[answer]]s from the [[federal]] [[government]].

Second, if you ever reach the right person on the [[telephone|phone]], you need to know what you say. What are your [[rights]]? What are the [[government]]’s [[obligation]]s? [[federal]] officials must comply with [[federal]] [[law]], while [[state]] and local officials must also comply with specific [[obligation]]s imposed by [[state]] [[law]]. The [[law]]s are completely different from each other. [[federal]] [[law]] is in the United States Code. The cites to it look like “[[17 U.S.C. § 107]]” (this section allows fair use of [[copyright]]ed material). [[State]] [[law]] is in an entirely separate code book. The cites to it include an abbreviation of the [[state]], as in “N.J.S.A. § 18A:35-4.7” (this section allows [[New Jersey]] [[parents]] to pull their [[children]] out of certain courses in [[public school]]).

Second, if you ever reach the right person on the [[telephone|phone]], you need to know what you say. What are your [[rights]]? What are the [[government]]’s [[obligation]]s? [[federal]] officials must comply with [[federal]] [[law]], while [[state]] and local officials must also comply with specific [[obligation]]s imposed by [[state]] [[law]]. The [[law]]s are completely different from each other. [[federal]] [[law]] is in the United States Code. The cites to it look like “[[17 U.S.C. § 107]]” (this section allows fair use of [[copyright]]ed material). [[State]] [[law]] is in an entirely separate code book. The cites to it include an abbreviation of the [[state]], as in “N.J.S.A. § 18A:35-4.7” (this section allows [[New Jersey]] [[parents]] to pull their [[children]] out of certain courses in [[public school]]).

Third, if you’re thinking about working for [[government]], you need to know who to apply to. Don’t apply to [[state]] [[government]] for a [[job]] at the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]]. It’s [[federal]]. Don’t apply to [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] for a [[job]] as a [[public school]] [[teacher]].

Third, if you're thinking about working for [[government]], you need to know who to apply to. Don't apply to [[state]] [[government]] for a [[job]] at the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]]. It's [[federal]]. Don't apply to [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] for a [[job]] as a [[public school]] [[teacher]].

There are other differences between [[federal]] and [[state]] [[government]]. [[federal]] [[job]]s often pay better and are more secure. They are backed by [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]] [[tax]] collections of the [[United States of America|United States]]. They often work in bigger and nicer buildings. One summer I worked in a [[federal]] building in [[Washington D.C.|D.C.]], and it was so big that one employee used the hallways as a track for jogging!

There are other differences between [[federal]] and [[state]] [[government]]. [[federal]] [[job]]s often pay better and are more secure. They are backed by [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]] [[tax]] collections of the [[United States of America|United States]]. They often work in bigger and nicer buildings. One summer I worked in a [[federal]] building in [[Washington D.C.|D.C.]], and it was so big that one employee used the hallways as a track for jogging!

Federal officials generally have more [[power]] than [[state]] officials. The [[Supremacy Clause]] of the Constitution, which is in Article VI (see p. 328), says that [[federal]] [[law]] is supreme. You are not likely to hear about a [[state]] police officer arresting an [[FBI]] agent, because he is a [[federal]] officer.

Federal officials generally have more [[power]] than [[state]] officials. The [[Supremacy Clause]] of the Constitution, which is in Article VI (see p. 328), says that [[federal]] [[law]] is supreme. You are not likely to hear about a [[state]] police officer arresting an [[FBI]] agent, because he is a [[federal]] officer.

About 15 years ago in Wayne, [[New Jersey]], the [[FBI]] arrested the [[mayor]]. They didn’t even bother telling the local [[police]], who thought he had been kidnapped. Not only do the [[federal]] and [[state]] [[government]] fail to communicate with each other, they often fight each other for control.

About 15 years ago in Wayne, [[New Jersey]], the [[FBI]] arrested the [[mayor]]. They didn't even bother telling the local [[police]], who thought he had been kidnapped. Not only do the [[federal]] and [[state]] [[government]] fail to communicate with each other, they often fight each other for control.

But sometimes local officials have more [[power]] than [[federal]] officials. The superintendent for a [[public school]] district often makes more money than the [[Congressman]] or [[Senator]], and has more influence too. And if you ever receive a traffic ticket, I guarantee you will care more about the municipal [[judge]] than the [[President of the United States of America|president]].

But sometimes local officials have more [[power]] than [[federal]] officials. The superintendent for a [[public school]] district often makes more money than the [[Congressman]] or [[Senator]], and has more influence too. And if you ever receive a traffic ticket, I guarantee you will care more about the municipal [[judge]] than the [[President of the United States of America|president]].

How about the [[media]]? Which [[government]] does the [[media]] pay more attention to? The [[federal]] [[government]], by far. Why? Because it is more profitable for the [[media]], and easier. It much simpler and cheaper simply to wake up each day and report on what the [[President of the United States of America|president]] is doing, whether it is newsworthy or not. That is one quick story to tell to the entire [[country]]. To report on each [[state]] would require 50 different stories, at 50 times the expense. The [[media]] would go broke trying to do that. You’ll almost never see your [[mayor]], local [[school]], [[Congressman]] or even [[governor]] on [[CNN]] or [[Fox News]]. It doesn’t mean they are less important than the [[President of the United States of America|president]].

How about the [[media]]? Which [[government]] does the [[media]] pay more attention to? The [[federal]] [[government]], by far. Why? Because it is more profitable for the [[media]], and easier. It much simpler and cheaper simply to wake up each day and report on what the [[President of the United States of America|president]] is doing, whether it is newsworthy or not. That is one quick story to tell to the entire [[country]]. To report on each [[state]] would require 50 different stories, at 50 times the expense. The [[media]] would go broke trying to do that. You'll almost never see your [[mayor]], local [[school]], [[Congressman]] or even [[governor]] on [[CNN]] or [[Fox News]]. It doesn't mean they are less important than the [[President of the United States of America|president]].

The [[federal]] [[government]] has three branches: [[executive]] (the [[President of the United States of America|president]]), legislative ([[Congress]]) and the [[judiciary]] (the [[Supreme Court]]). Each branch employs [[powers of ten|thousands]] of [[people]]. The [[executive]] branch even employs [[powers of ten|millions]], including the armed services.

The [[federal]] [[government]] has three branches: [[executive]] (the [[President of the United States of America|president]]), legislative ([[Congress]]) and the [[judiciary]] (the [[Supreme Court]]). Each branch employs [[powers of ten|thousands]] of [[people]]. The [[executive]] branch even employs [[powers of ten|millions]], including the armed services.