1.As you already know by now hopefully, the most important thing Congress does is decide how much to tax you and what to do with that money! So what is all of this talk of being in debt and having
a deficit?

Watch: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/economy/2014/11/06/we-the-economy-animated-film-debt-deficit.cnnmoney/

2.First, explain what the difference between debt and deficit is.

3.Second, what is the total debt for the U.S. and what is the current deficit.

Now, play this game on the New York Times’ Website and answer the questions below: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/13/weekinreview/deficits-graphic.html?_r=0

4.What programs cost the most money?

5.Who would be upset if you did eliminate those programs to fix the deficit? Why?

Finally, scroll through the Trump administrations budget proposal https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/omb/budget/fy2018/budget.pdf . 6.What kind of stuff does he want to cut
spending on?

Presidency

Watch: http://www.cc.com/video-clips/n5dnf3/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-an-energy-independent-future

7.Why do you think Presidents’ tend to make promises they can’t keep?

Define executive order:

List some of President Trump’s most controversial executive orders:

8.What is the process for impeaching a president?

9.Listen or read the transcript from Nate Silver’s podcast on impeaching President Trump. Do you think he will be impeached? Why or why not?
Link: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/we-started-with-14-possible-paths-for-trumps-presidency-which-are-most-likely-now/

Judiciary

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGyx5UEwgtA

10.Describe or outline the U.S. Judicial system (featuring a “dual court model”) :

11.What kinds of cases do federal courts hear vs. state courts? (this link may help http://www.uscourts.gov/ )

12.Summarize Marbury v. Madison. How did the case lead to “judicial review? “

13.What is the difference between original jurisdiction versus appellate jurisdiction?

14.How do Supreme Court Justices select cases to be hear?

15.Research and describe a recent Supreme Court decision that you disagree with (link on pg. 494 and can be within the last 5 years). Explain your answer.

16.Finally, do you believe in judicial restrain or judicial activism? Why ?