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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]].

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 [[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.

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 [[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]] 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.

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]]==

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]].

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 [[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]].

[[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 [[Justice]]s [[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 [[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.

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]]==

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] has complete control over his [[executive branch]], and fills thousands of positions in the numerous [[federal]] agencies.  [[United States Senate|Senate]] approval is required only for a few top positions, such as the [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] officials who directly advise the [[President of the United States of America|president]].

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] has complete control over his [[executive branch]], and fills [[powers of ten|thousands]] of positions in the numerous [[federal]] agencies.  [[United States Senate|Senate]] approval is required only for a few top positions, such as the [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] officials who directly advise the [[President of the United States of America|president]].

When [[George Washington]] was [[President of the United States of America|president]], there were only three [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] officials: [[State]], [[War]] (now Defense), and Treasury.  As the [[federal]] [[government]] has expanded, so have the number of positions.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] has 15 [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] officials.  [[United States Senate|Senate]] confirmation was required for all of them.  Typically the [[President of the United States of America|president]] fills these positions with members of his own [[party]], often those who were recently defeated for [[United States Senate|Senate]], or former [[governor]]s.

When [[George Washington]] was [[President of the United States of America|president]], there were only three [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] officials: [[United States Secretary of State |State]], [[United States Secretary of War|War]] (now Defense), and [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Treasury]].  As the [[federal]] [[government]] has expanded, so have the number of positions.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] has 15 [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] officials.  [[United States Senate|Senate]] confirmation was required for all of them.  Typically the [[President of the United States of America|president]] fills these positions with members of his own [[party]], often those who were recently defeated for [[United States Senate|Senate]], or former [[governor]]s.

How many of [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush’s]] [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] members can you name?  How many departments under the [[President of the United States of America|president]] can you name?

How many of [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush’s]] [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] members can you name?  How many departments under the [[President of the United States of America|president]] can you name?

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 [[country|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 [[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]].

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 [[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]].

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==

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.  Monopoly|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]] [[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.

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. Attorney]]s.  [[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 [[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.

Many are criticizing Attorney General [[John Ashcroft|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 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?

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 [[year]]s later they no longer want to.  What do you think?

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

==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 re[[election]] 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 session|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 [[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]]?

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, [[Andrew Jackson|Jackson]] beat [[John Quincy Adams|Adams]] in a landslide.  Can you find the [[constitution]]al 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 [[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?

1.  Should we have free trade with [[China]]?  [[China]] is a [[communism|communist]] [[country]] notorious for requiring [[abortion]], persecuting [[citizens]] for [[religious]] [[reason]]s, and pouring its [[money]] into a [[military]] that threatens free [[China|Chinese]] on [[Taiwan]] and aims [[Intercontinental ballistic missile |missiles]] at our western [[city|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|Most Favored Nation]]” [[trade]] [[most-favored-nation status|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 [[United States presidential election, 2000|2000]] even though [[Al Gore|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]]