Changes

==I. Introduction==

==I. Introduction==

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is in the news more than any other politician.  This is true regardless of what he does, or how important he is.  It requires only one [[reporter]] and one news camera to air a story about the [[President of the United States of America|president]].  Often, the reporter simply stands in front of the [[White House]] and merely talks into the camera.

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is in the news more than any other [[politician]].  This is true regardless of what he does, or how important he is.  It requires only one [[reporter]] and one news camera to air a story about the [[President of the United States of America|president]].  Often, the [[reporter]] simply stands in front of the [[White House]] and merely talks into the camera.

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is not a [[king]].  His [[power]]s are limited and enumerated.  He lacks a special title, and is called simply “Mr. [[President of the United States of America|President]].”  Under the 22nd [[Amendment]], the [[President of the United States of America|president]] may not be elected more than two terms.  In the past 40 years, only two [[President of the United States of America|president]]s have even served two full terms ([[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]] and [[Bill Clinton|Clinton]]).

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is not a [[king]].  His [[power]]s are limited and enumerated.  He lacks a special title, and is called simply “Mr. [[President of the United States of America|President]].”  Under the [[Twenty-Second Amendment|22nd Amendment]], the [[President of the United States of America|president]] may not be [[election|elected]] more than two terms.  In the past 40 [[year]]s, only two [[President of the United States of America|president]]s have even served two full terms ([[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]] and [[Bill Clinton|Clinton]]).

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] always, however, has enormous political influence.  He is the leader of his own political [[party]], which nominates him.  Everything he does affects the positions and fortunes of his [[party]].  If his [[party]] is in control of [[Congress]], then he exerts enormous influence over [[Congress]].  If the opposing political [[party]] controls [[Congress]], then it devotes its time to opposing his policies as much as possible.  Either way, the [[President of the United States of America|president]] controls the political agenda.

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] always, however, has enormous [[politics|political]] influence.  He is the leader of his own political [[party]], which nominates him.  Everything he does affects the positions and fortunes of his [[party]].  If his [[party]] is in control of [[Congress]], then he exerts enormous influence over [[Congress]].  If the opposing political [[party]] controls [[Congress]], then it devotes its time to opposing his policies as much as possible.  Either way, the [[President of the United States of America|president]] controls the [[political agenda]].

Beyond [[politics]], [[historian]]s debate how much influence a [[President of the United States of America|president]] really has over the country.  But the [[President of the United States of America|president]] is held responsible regardless of whether he is at fault.  When [[Iran]]ian students captured the U.S. Embassy in 1979 and held [[America]]n diplomats hostage for a year, [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Jimmy Carter]] was held responsible.  Was it his fault?  Voters are going to hold him accountable whether he was at fault or not.

Beyond [[politics]], [[historian]]s debate how much influence a [[President of the United States of America|president]] really has over the [[Unites States of America|country]].  But the [[President of the United States of America|president]] is held responsible regardless of whether he is at fault.  When [[Iran]]ian students captured the U.S. Embassy in 1979 and held [[America]]n diplomats hostage for a year, [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Jimmy Carter]] was held responsible.  Was it his fault?  [[vote]]rs are going to hold him accountable whether he was at fault or not.

[[Economist]]s say that the outcome of every [[president]]ial election can be predicted by how well the [[economy]] is doing on Election Day.  Can the [[President of the United States of America|president]] control the [[economy]]?  Not completely, but he can have an influence.  [[Vote]]rs will reelect him if the economy is doing well, and elect someone else if it is doing poorly.

[[Economist]]s say that the outcome of every [[president]]ial [[election]] can be predicted by how well the [[economy]] is doing on [[Election]] Day.  Can the [[President of the United States of America|president]] control the [[economy]]?  Not completely, but he can have an influence.  [[Vote]]rs will reelect him if the economy is doing well, and elect someone else if it is doing poorly.

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] does have the [[power]] to make appointments, particularly to the judiciary.  He nominates new [[judge]]s, especially those needed to fill vacancies on the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]].  These [[judge]]s can serve for the rest of their lives, and thus can hold [[power]] for over 30 years or more.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Lyndon Johnson]] left office 35 years ago, yet one of his appointed [[judge]]s wrote the decision in one of my cases last year (U.S. v. Dr. Sell).  [[Chief Justice of the United States of America|Chief Justice]] [[Rehnquist]] was appointed by [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Richard Nixon]], and he served more than 30 years on the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] before [[President]] [[George W. Bush]] filled his vacancy when [[Rehnquist]] died in office in 2005.

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] does have the [[power]] to make appointments, particularly to the [[judiciary]].  He nominates new [[judge]]s, especially those needed to fill vacancies on the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]].  These [[judge]]s can serve for the rest of their lives, and thus can hold [[power]] for over 30 [[year]]s or more.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Lyndon B. Johnson|Lyndon Johnson]] left office 35 [[year]]s ago, yet one of his appointed [[judge]]s wrote the decision in one of my cases last year (U.S. v. Dr. Sell).  [[Chief Justice of the United States of America|Chief Justice]] [[William Rehnquist|Rehnquist]] was appointed by [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Richard Nixon]], and he served more than 30 [[year]]s on the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] before [[President]] [[George W. Bush]] filled his vacancy when [[William Rehnquist|Rehnquist]] died in office in 2005.

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is also commander-in-chief of the [[military]].  He controls its operations, and supervises its conflicts with foreign militaries.  After [[Congress]] declares war (and often when it does not), the [[President of the United States of America|president]] assumes the day-to-day responsibility for conducting that war.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Lyndon Johnson]] would personally review and make decisions about daily [[bomb]]ing runs in [[Vietnam]]. [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Lincoln]] was hiring, firing, and ordering generals during the [[Civil War]].

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is also commander-in-chief of the [[military]].  He controls its operations, and supervises its conflicts with foreign [[military|militaries]].  After [[Congress]] declares [[war]] (and often when it does not), the [[President of the United States of America|president]] assumes the day-to-day responsibility for conducting that [[war]].  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Lyndon Johnson]] would personally review and make decisions about daily [[bomb]]ing runs in [[Vietnam]]. [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Lincoln]] was hiring, firing, and ordering [[general]]s during the [[Civil War]].

More generally, the [[President of the United States of America|president]] is responsible for all foreign policy.  He appoints the [[ambassador]]s, and decides what [[treaty|treaties]] to negotiate and sign.  But 2/3rd approval by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] is required for any [[treaty]] to become [[law]].  The [[North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA) established so-called “free trade” between the [[United States]] and [[Mexico]] and [[Canada]].  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Bill Clinton|Clinton]] bypassed the requirement of [[United States Senate|Senate]] approval by arranging for [[Congress]] to pass the treaty directly into [[federal]] [[law]].  Why do you think he did that?  (Answer: it only requires a majority to pass a [[law]] rather than 2/3 in the [[United States Senate|Senate]] to ratify a treaty).

More generally, the [[President of the United States of America|president]] is responsible for all foreign policy.  He appoints the [[ambassador]]s, and decides what [[treaty|treaties]] to negotiate and sign.  But 2/3rd approval by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] is required for any [[treaty]] to become [[law]].  The [[North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA) established so-called “[[free trade]]” between the [[United States]] and [[Mexico]] and [[Canada]].  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Bill Clinton|Clinton]] bypassed the requirement of [[United States Senate|Senate]] approval by arranging for [[Congress]] to pass the [[treaty]] directly into [[federal]] [[law]].  Why do you think he did that?  (Answer: it only requires a [[majority]] to pass a [[law]] rather than 2/3 in the [[United States Senate|Senate]] to ratify a [[treaty]]).

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] also has legislative authority in signing or [[veto]]ing new [[law]]s.  If the [[President of the United States of America|president’s]] political party is in control of [[Congress]], then he has implicit control over its agenda too.  The [[President of the United States of America|president]] typically submits a [[budget]] each year for [[Congress]] to pass in order to pay for the operations of the [[government]] and all its programs.  Typically [[Congress]] will add spending to that [[budget]] and include it in one massive bill for the [[President of the United States of America|president]] to sign.  An attempt to give the [[President of the United States of America|president]] “[[line-item veto]]” authority to strike out certain spending items was held to be unconstitutional for violating [[separation of powers]].

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] also has [[legislative]] authority in signing or [[veto]]ing new [[law]]s.  If the [[President of the United States of America|president’s]] [[political party]] is in control of [[Congress]], then he has implicit control over its agenda too.  The [[President of the United States of America|president]] typically submits a [[budget]] each year for [[Congress]] to pass in order to pay for the operations of the [[government]] and all its programs.  Typically [[Congress]] will add spending to that [[budget]] and include it in one massive [[bill]] for the [[President of the United States of America|president]] to sign.  An attempt to give the [[President of the United States of America|president]] “[[line-item veto]]” authority to strike out certain spending items was held to be [[unconstitutional]] for violating [[separation of powers]].

==II. Appointment [[Power]]==

==II. Appointment [[Power]]==

Today people view the appointment [[power]] of the [[President of the United States of America|president]] as his most important authority.  In particular, the [[President of the United States of America|president’s]] ability to fill [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] vacancies and lower [[federal]] [[court]] positions is the focus of political attention.  The [[President of the United States of America|president]] can usually serve only eight [[year]]s, but a [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] justice can serve 35 [[year]]s or more.

Today people view the appointment [[power]] of the [[President of the United States of America|president]] as his most important authority.  In particular, the [[President of the United States of America|president’s]] ability to fill [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] vacancies and lower [[federal]] [[court]] positions is the focus of political attention.  The [[President of the United States of America|president]] can usually serve only eight [[year]]s, but a [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] justice can serve 35 [[year]]s or more.

But a vacancy on the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] must occur before the [[President of the United States of America|president]] can nominate a new [[justice]].  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Jimmy Carter |Carter]] did not see a single [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] vacancy during his four-year term.  He thus made no appointments.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]] saw three vacancies, and he appointed Justices [[Sandra Day O’Connor]], Scalia and Kennedy.  Instead of Justice Kennedy, [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]] initially appointed [[Robert Bork]], who was defeated by the [[United States Senate|Senate]].  A majority vote in the [[United States Senate|Senate]] is necessary to confirm a [[federal]] judge to the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] or lower court.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]] also elevated Justice [[William Rehnquist]] to become [[Chief Justice of the United States of America|Chief Justice]] when [[Chief Justice of the United States of America|Chief Justice]] [[Warren Burger]] retired, and that promotion was approved by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] after some heated [[debate]].

But a vacancy on the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] must occur before the [[President of the United States of America|president]] can nominate a new [[justice]].  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Jimmy Carter |Carter]] did not see a single [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] vacancy during his four-year term.  He thus made no appointments.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]] saw three vacancies, and he appointed [[Justice]]s [[Sandra Day O’Connor]], [[Antonin Scalia|Scalia]] and [[Anthony Kennedy|Kennedy]].  Instead of [[Justice]] [[Anthony Kennedy|Kennedy]], [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]] initially appointed [[Robert Bork]], who was defeated by the [[United States Senate|Senate]].  A [[majority]] [[vote]] in the [[United States Senate|Senate]] is necessary to confirm a [[federal]] [[judge]] to the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] or lower [[court]].  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]] also elevated [[Justice]] [[William Rehnquist]] to become [[Chief Justice of the United States of America|Chief Justice]] when [[Chief Justice of the United States of America|Chief Justice]] [[Warren Burger]] retired, and that promotion was approved by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] after some heated [[debate]].

The [[United States Senate|Senate’s]] defeat of [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan’s]] nomination of [[Robert Bork]] to the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] in 1987 was a [[watershed]], because it was purely political.  A majority of [[senator]]s felt Bork was too [[conservative]], and the attacks and ultimate rejection of his nomination became known as “Borking” a presidential pick.  He later wrote a popular book describing the politicization of the judiciary.

The [[United States Senate|Senate’s]] defeat of [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan’s]] nomination of [[Robert Bork]] to the [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] in 1987 was a [[watershed]], because it was purely political.  A [[majority]] of [[senator]]s felt [[Robert Bork|Bork]] was too [[conservative]], and the attacks and ultimate rejection of his nomination became known as “Borking” a [[president]]ial pick.  He later wrote a popular [[book]] describing the politicization of the [[judiciary]].

[[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] completed his first term without picking a single [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] justice.  That was surprising because several vacancies were expected.  [[Chief Justice of the United States of America|Chief Justice]] [[Rehnquist]] in particular, nearly 80 years old, was expected to step down so that a [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[President of the United States of America|president]] could choose his replacement.  It is possible that [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] talked him out of retiring in the hopes that [[Republican Party|Republican]]s will have greater [[power]] in the [[United States Senate|Senate]] after the 2004 elections, and that [[George W. Bush|Bush]] will still be in [[power]].  This is risky: [[liberal]] Justices Brennan and Marshall decided against retiring during [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Jimmy Carter|Carter’s]] term, but then faced 12 long years of [[Republican Party|Republican]] control of the [[White House]].  Old age forced Justices Brennan and Marshall reluctantly to retire in the meantime, during the first [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush’s]] term, and their spots were filled by Justices Souter and Thomas.

[[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] completed his first term without picking a single [[U.S. Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] [[justice]].  That was surprising because several vacancies were expected.  [[Chief Justice of the United States of America|Chief Justice]] [[Rehnquist]] in particular, nearly 80 [[year]]s old, was expected to step down so that a [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[President of the United States of America|president]] could choose his replacement.  It is possible that [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] talked him out of retiring in the hopes that [[Republican Party|Republican]]s will have greater [[power]] in the [[United States Senate|Senate]] after the [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004 elections]], and that [[George W. Bush|Bush]] will still be in [[power]].  This is risky: [[liberal]] Justices [[William Brennan |Brennan]] and [[Thurgood Marshall|Marshall]] decided against retiring during [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Jimmy Carter|Carter’s]] term, but then faced 12 long [[year]]s of [[Republican Party|Republican]] control of the [[White House]].  Old age forced Justices [[William Brennan |Brennan]] and [[Thurgood Marshall|Marshall]] reluctantly to retire in the meantime, during the first [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush’s]] term, and their spots were filled by [[Justices]] [[David Souter|Souter]] and [[Clarence Thomas|Thomas]].

But if that was the calculated gamble, it paid off.  President [[George W. Bush]] was reelected, and then had the opportunity to fill two vacancies in his second term, including a vacancy resulting from the death of Chief Justice [[William Rehnquist]].  By all accounts, both of President Bush's appointments to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] were conservative:  [[John Roberts]], who became the Chief Justice in replacing [[William Rehnquist]], and [[Sam Alito]], who replaced Justice [[Sandra Day O'Connor]] after she retired.

But if that was the calculated [[gambling|gamble]], it paid off.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush]] was reelected, and then had the opportunity to fill two vacancies in his second term, including a vacancy resulting from the [[death]] of [[Chief Justice]] [[William Rehnquist]].  By all accounts, both of [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]]'s appointments to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] were [[conservative]]:  [[John Roberts]], who became the [[Chief Justice]] in replacing [[William Rehnquist]], and [[Sam Alito]], who replaced [[Justice]] [[Sandra Day O'Connor]] after she retired.

==III. Leader of the [[Executive Branch]]==

==III. Leader of the [[Executive Branch]]==

[[Thomas Jefferson]] first served as [[Secretary of State]] under [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Washington]].  [[James Madison]] served as Secretary of State under [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Thomas Jefferson]].  [[James Monroe]] served under [[President of the United States of America|President]] Madison.  [[John Quincy Adams] did likewise under [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[James Monroe]].  And so on.

[[Thomas Jefferson]] first served as [[Secretary of State]] under [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Washington]].  [[James Madison]] served as Secretary of State under [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Thomas Jefferson]].  [[James Monroe]] served under [[President of the United States of America|President]] Madison.  [[John Quincy Adams] did likewise under [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[James Monroe]].  And so on.

Who is Secretary of State today?  ([[Condeleezza Rice]]).

Who is [[Secretary of State]] today?  ([[Condeleezza Rice]]).

Dealing with foreign countries is a primary responsibility of the [[President of the United States of America|President]].  The [[Secretary of State]] advises him on this.  When conflicts arise, such as the war in [[Iraq]], the [[Secretary of Defense]] advises the [[President of the United States of America|president]] on the military decisions.  Currently, the [[Secretary of Defense]] is [[Donald Rumsfeld]].

Dealing with foreign countries is a primary responsibility of the [[President of the United States of America|President]].  The [[Secretary of State]] advises him on this.  When conflicts arise, such as the [[war]] in [[Iraq]], the [[Secretary of Defense]] advises the [[President of the United States of America|president]] on the military decisions.  Currently, the [[Secretary of Defense]] is [[Donald Rumsfeld]].

Often the [[President of the United States of America|president]] makes trips to foreign countries to improve our relations with them.  Usually those trips boost his popularity at home.  Businesses seek to promote good relations with foreign countries in order to increase trade and commerce.

Often the [[President of the United States of America|president]] makes trips to foreign [[country|countries]] to improve our relations with them.  Usually those trips boost his popularity at home.  [[Business]]es seek to promote good relations with foreign [[country|countries]] in order to increase [[trade]] and [[commerce]].

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] has influence over trade with foreign countries.  The [[Commerce Department]], created as the [[Department of Commerce]] and Labor in 1903 (the Labor Department split off in 1913), is devoted to promoting trade with foreign countries.

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] has influence over trade with foreign [[country|countries]].  The [[Commerce Department]], created as the [[Department of Commerce]] and [[Labor]] in 1903 (the [[Department of Labor|Labor Department]] split off in 1913), is devoted to promoting [[trade]] with foreign [[country|countries]].

Agencies in the [[Executive Branch]] handle many types of disputes before they become [[lawsuit]]s.  The [[Department of Education]] hears complaints about violation of [[federal]] [[law]] in [[public school]]s; the [[Department of Labor]] hears labor disputes, including alleged discrimination; the [[Department of Health and Human Services]] handles the massive [[federal]] health care spending.  Each of the 15 [[federal]] agencies, including the new [[Department of Homeland Security]], have responsibilities that grow over time.

Agencies in the [[Executive Branch]] handle many types of disputes before they become [[lawsuit]]s.  The [[Department of Education]] hears complaints about violation of [[federal]] [[law]] in [[public school]]s; the [[Department of Labor]] hears [[labor]] disputes, including alleged [[discrimination]]; the [[Department of Health and Human Services]] handles the massive [[federal]] health care spending.  Each of the 15 [[federal]] agencies, including the new [[Department of Homeland Security]], have responsibilities that grow over time.

==V. Department of Justice==

==V. Department of Justice==

Much attention these days is focused on the fourth oldest department: the [[Department of Justice]].  Its original head under the [[Bush Administration]], Attorney General [[John Ashcroft]], was bitterly opposed by [[liberal]]s from the beginning.  The [[United States Senate|Senate]] delayed his confirmation and he won in a relatively close vote in early 2001, after [[George W. Bush|Bush]] became [[President of the United States of America|president]] and appointed him.

Much attention these days is focused on the fourth oldest department: the [[Department of Justice]].  Its original head under the [[Bush Administration]], Attorney General [[John Ashcroft]], was bitterly opposed by [[liberal]]s from the beginning.  The [[United States Senate|Senate]] delayed his confirmation and he won in a relatively close [[vote]] in early 2001, after [[George W. Bush|Bush]] became [[President of the United States of America|president]] and appointed him.

The [[Department of Justice]] is responsible for handling all [[prosecution]]s and litigation for the [[federal]] [[government]].  Originally, the [[federal]] [[government]] prosecuted very few [[crime]]s.  [[Treason]] was one.  [[Counterfeiting]] was another.  But not much more.

The [[Department of Justice]] is responsible for handling all [[prosecution]]s and litigation for the [[federal]] [[government]].  Originally, the [[federal]] [[government]] prosecuted very few [[crime]]s.  [[Treason]] was one.  [[Counterfeiting]] was another.  But not much more.

Now the [[federal]] [[government]] prosecutes thousands of [[crime]]s in all areas of life.  [[Fraud]].  Accounting deception.  Monopolies.  Lying to a [[federal]] official is a special [[federal]] [[crime]].  Obstruction of justice is a [[federal]] [[crime]], when someone interferes with an investigation.  Certain types of [[murder]] are now [[federal]] [[crime]]s.  It was the [[Department of Justice]] that attempted to break up [[Microsoft]]’s monopoly; it is the [[Department of Justice]] that is prosecuting [[Martha Stewart]]; it is the [[Department of Justice]] that is currently investigating a leak from the [[White House]] about a CIA agent.

Now the [[federal]] [[government]] prosecutes thousands of [[crime]]s in all areas of life.  [[Fraud]].  Accounting deception.  Monopolies.  Lying to a [[federal]] official is a special [[federal]] [[crime]].  Obstruction of justice is a [[federal]] [[crime]], when someone interferes with an investigation.  Certain types of [[murder]] are now [[federal]] [[crime]]s.  It was the [[Department of Justice]] that attempted to break up [[Microsoft]]’s [[monopoly]]; it is the [[Department of Justice]] that is prosecuting [[Martha Stewart]]; it is the [[Department of Justice]] that is currently investigating a leak from the [[White House]] about a [[CIA]] agent.

Unlike state prosecutors, [[federal]] prosecutors are not elected.  They work under the [[Attorney General]], who is appointed by the [[President of the United States of America|president]].  They are called [[U.S. Attorney]]s or assistant U.S. Attorneys.  State prosecutors are called [[District Attorneys]].  The top state prosecutors are elected, and thus directly accountable to the public.  When a state prosecution meets with public disapproval, the responsible district attorney can be defeated at the next election.  But the [[President of the United States of America|president]] has to be defeated to change the [[Department of Justice]], and [[president]]ial elections are typically determined by [[economic]] rather than legal issues.

Unlike [[state]] [[prosecutor]]s, [[federal]] [[prosecutor]]s are not elected.  They work under the [[Attorney General]], who is appointed by the [[President of the United States of America|president]].  They are called [[U.S. Attorney]]s or assistant U.S. Attorneys.  [[State]] [[prosecutors]] are called [[District Attorneys]].  The top [[state]] [[prosecutor]]s are elected, and thus directly accountable to the public.  When a [[state]] [[prosecution]] meets with public disapproval, the responsible [[district attorney]] can be defeated at the next [[election]].  But the [[President of the United States of America|president]] has to be defeated to change the [[Department of Justice]], and [[president]]ial [[election]]s are typically determined by [[economic]] rather than legal [[issue]]s.

Many are criticizing Attorney General [[Ashcroft]] for expanding [[federal]] [[power]] in investigating and prosecuting alleged terrorists.  After 9/11, the [[George W. Bush|Bush Administration]] sought and achieved new [[power]]s to target criminals under the [[Patriot Act]].  While all are in favor of catching and prosecuting real terrorists, many oppose the loss of [[liberty ]]in the [[War on Terrorism]].  After all, some say, it is [[liberty]] that we are defending against [[terrorism]] in the first place.

Many are criticizing Attorney General [[Ashcroft]] for expanding [[federal]] [[power]] in investigating and prosecuting alleged terrorists.  After [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]], the [[George W. Bush|Bush Administration]] sought and achieved new [[power]]s to target [[criminal]]s under the [[Patriot Act]].  While all are in favor of catching and prosecuting real [[terrorist]]s, many oppose the loss of [[liberty ]]in the [[War on Terrorism]].  After all, some say, it is [[liberty]] that we are defending against [[terrorism]] in the first place.

The main dispute revolves around the [[Fourth Amendment]].  The Patriot Act reduced the requirements for [[federal]] investigators to seize evidence and tape-record calls of alleged [[terrorist]]s.  No longer must a local [[judge]] issue a [[warrant]] based on a detailed affidavit of probable cause prior to searches of alleged [[terrorist]]s, broadly defined.  Also, [[federal]] investigators can now search certain homes without leaving a copy of a warrant so that the owner knows it has been searched.  This is known as “sneak and peek.”  There are many newspaper articles discussing this controversy.  On Sunday, a pollster said that after 9/11, people wanted to give up some freedoms in this area to stop terrorism, but now over two years later they no longer want to.  What do you think?

The main dispute revolves around the [[Fourth Amendment]].  The [[Patriot Act]] reduced the requirements for [[federal]] investigators to seize [[evidence]] and tape-record calls of alleged [[terrorist]]s.  No longer must a local [[judge]] issue a [[warrant]] based on a detailed [[affidavit]] of [[probable cause]] prior to searches of alleged [[terrorist]]s, broadly defined.  Also, [[federal]] investigators can now search certain homes without leaving a copy of a [[warrant]] so that the owner knows it has been searched.  This is known as “sneak and peak.”  There are many [[newspaper]] articles discussing this controversy.  On [[Sunday]], a pollster said that after [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]], people wanted to give up some freedoms in this area to stop [[terrorism]], but now over two years later they no longer want to.  What do you think?

==VI. Elections==

==VI. [[Election]]s==

[[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Harry S Truman]] would say, “The buck stops here.”  The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is accountable for all that he does, and all that the [[Executive Branch]] does while he is in charge.  The reelection or defeat of the [[President of the United States of America|president]] after his first term will depend not only on what he does, but also on everything else that happens under his “watch”.

[[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Harry S Truman]] would say, “The buck stops here.”  The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is accountable for all that he does, and all that the [[Executive Branch]] does while he is in charge.  The reelection or defeat of the [[President of the United States of America|president]] after his first term will depend not only on what he does, but also on everything else that happens under his “watch”.

When a [[President of the United States of America|president]] is reelected after serving a full term, which happens about 50% of the time now, he then becomes a “lame duck.”  That means he loses [[power]] because everyone knows he is merely serving out his term and cannot be reelected again (due to the 22nd [[Amendment]]).  Still, an effective [[President of the United States of America|president]] can accomplish a great deal during his second term.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]], for example, dramatically cut [[tax]]es and made his successful demand that the [[communism|communists]] tear down the [[Berlin Wall]] dividing [[communism]] from [[freedom]] in [[Germany]].

When a [[President of the United States of America|president]] is reelected after serving a full term, which happens about 50% of the time now, he then becomes a “lame duck.”  That means he loses [[power]] because everyone knows he is merely serving out his term and cannot be reelected again (due to the 22nd [[Amendment]]).  Still, an effective [[President of the United States of America|president]] can accomplish a great deal during his second term.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]], for example, dramatically cut [[tax]]es and made his successful demand that the [[communism|communists]] tear down the [[Berlin Wall]] dividing [[communism]] from [[freedom]] in [[Germany]].

A [[President of the United States of America|president]] can be elected with less than 50% of the vote, as [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] was.  But no [[President of the United States of America|president]] can be elected with less than 50% of the [[electoral college]].  If no candidate can muster a majority of electoral votes, then the election is decided by the [[House of Representatives]].  This occurred in the election of [[John Quincy Adams]], and supporters of [[Andrew Jackson]] complained bitterly about the process.  Four years later, Jackson beat Adams in a landslide.  Can you find the constitutional provision dictating how the [[House of Representatives]] can choose the next [[President of the United States of America|president]]?

A [[President of the United States of America|president]] can be [[election|elected]] with less than 50% of the [[vote]], as [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] was.  But no [[President of the United States of America|president]] can be elected with less than 50% of the [[electoral college]].  If no candidate can muster a [[majority]] of electoral [[vote]]s, then the [[election]] is decided by the [[House of Representatives]].  This occurred in the [[election]] of [[John Quincy Adams]], and supporters of [[Andrew Jackson]] complained bitterly about the process.  Four years later, Jackson beat Adams in a landslide.  Can you find the constitutional provision dictating how the [[House of Representatives]] can choose the next [[President of the United States of America|president]]?

==VII. Issues==

==VII. Issues==

1.  Should we have free trade with [[China]]?  [[China]] is a communist country notorious for requiring [[abortion]], persecuting citizens for religious reasons, and pouring its money into a military that threatens free Chinese on Taiwan and aims missiles at our western cities like [[Los Angeles]].  When we buy goods from Communist [[China]], some of that money funds its totalitarian [[government]].  Should our [[government]] encourage trade with [[China]] by granting it “Most Favored Nation” trade status?

1.  Should we have free trade with [[China]]?  [[China]] is a [[communism|communist]] [[country]] notorious for requiring [[abortion]], persecuting citizens for religious reasons, and pouring its money into a military that threatens free Chinese on Taiwan and aims missiles at our western cities like [[Los Angeles]].  When we buy goods from Communist [[China]], some of that money funds its totalitarian [[government]].  Should our [[government]] encourage trade with [[China]] by granting it “Most Favored Nation” trade status?

2.  The [[Attorney General]] has been controversial in exercising greater [[federal]] [[power]]s to investigate [[criminal]]s, including [[terrorist]]s.  Do you think the [[federal]] [[government]] should have more [[power]] in this area?

2.  The [[Attorney General]] has been controversial in exercising greater [[federal]] [[power]]s to investigate [[criminal]]s, including [[terrorist]]s.  Do you think the [[federal]] [[government]] should have more [[power]] in this area?

3.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] beat [[Al Gore]] in 2000 even though Gore won the popular vote, because [[George W. Bush|Bush]] won a narrow majority of the [[electoral college]].  Is that fair?

3.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] beat [[Al Gore]] in 2000 even though Gore won the popular [[vote]], because [[George W. Bush|Bush]] won a narrow [[majority]] of the [[electoral college]].  Is that fair?

[[category:Homeschool Curriculum]]

[[category:Homeschool Curriculum]]