American Government. Unit 6: Lobbysts, naturalization, political action
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Read this quotation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Every man and every woman in this Nation-—regardless of party—who have the right to register and to vote, and the opportunity to register and to vote, have also the sacred obligation to register and to vote. For the free and secret ballot is the real keystone of our American Constitutional system. -President Franklin D. Roosevelt 1944 This quotation addresses a responsibility that all adult citizens share. the need for voters to be aware of the issues. the importance of political parties in elections. a requirement of citizenship in the United States
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a responsibility that all adult citizens share
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Read the Oath of Allegiance of the United States. I hereby declare, on oath . . . that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms [weapons] on behalf of the United States when required by the law . . . so help me God. This oath is recited by the US president on Inauguration Day. a soldier when he or she joins the US military. a US Supreme Court justice who joins the bench. an immigrant who wants to become a US citizen
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an immigrant who wants to become a US citizen
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What is the best definition of a resident alien? A resident alien is a person who lives in a country but is not a citizen of that country. A resident alien is a person who was an immigrant but has become a citizen of the country. A resident alien is a person who wants to move to another country for school or work. A resident alien is a person who was living in another country illegally and has been deported
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A resident alien is a person who lives in a country but is not a citizen of that country
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To volunteer for national service, US citizens can serve at homeless shelters. work for religious programs. join the volunteer firefighters. take part in Teach for America.
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take part in Teach for America
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American citizens must pay federal taxes, which are paid via income taxes. sales taxes. property taxes. sin taxes.
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income taxes
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In the United States, potential jury members are notified of their duty by a summons. a phone call. an e-mail. a text message.
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a summons.
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The naturalization process involves several steps including finding a citizen to serve as a sponsor. living in the United States for two years. taking and passing a two-part test. writing an essay about citizenship
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taking and passing a two-part test
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The US Constitution defines citizenship in the Thirteenth Amendment. Fourteenth Amendment. Fifteenth Amendment. Sixteenth Amendment
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Fourteenth Amendment
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What do naturalized US citizens swear to do for their new country? Check all that apply. They will bear arms during peacetime. They will serve in the military when required. They will support and defend the US Constitution. They will show allegiance to the nation's laws. They will vote in local, state, and federal elections. They will volunteer or contribute to political campaigns
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They will serve in the military when required. They will support and defend the US Constitution. They will show allegiance to the nation's laws
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What is the first step in selecting US citizens to serve as members of a jury? Possible jury members receive a court summons. All possible jury members must report to the court. Judges and lawyers choose the members of the jury. The names of possible jurors are chosen at random
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The names of possible jurors are chosen at The names of possible jurors are chosen at random
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According to the Federal Election Commission, what is one action that a national party committee must perform? hold a national convention establish a national platform sponsor several national debates have national fund-raising events
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hold a national convention
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Debates are an important part of the election process, because they focus on specific issues. are used to propose new laws. help voters choose the best party. show the public how candidates deal with pressure
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focus on specific issues
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Which is at the top of the political party organization? Volunteers Local organizations State parties The National party
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The National party
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What led to the formation of political parties? Certain individuals wanted to gain political power. The writers of the Constitution disagreed on ideology. The Constitution encouraged the concept of two political parties. Groups of people decided to promote different legislative agendas
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The writers of the Constitution disagreed on ideology
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Why are third parties important in a political system? They oppose the strongest party. They participate in the debates. They have the largest number of voters. They draw votes away from each party
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They draw votes away from each party
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What is the purpose of a political party's platform? to persuade voters that the party cares about them to state the goals of the party and its position on issues to express the ideology that party candidates must and will uphold to show voters that party members support the same ideals as the voters
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to state the goals of the party and its position on issues
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Which is a primary goal of debates? to prove which party is best to present potential candidates to establish bipartisan agreements to help voters understand public policy
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to help voters understand public policy
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Why are volunteers placed at the base of the political party organizational pyramid? They perform the most essential tasks. They represent their area in state parties. They are paid the most amount of money by the party. They work to get themselves elected to local government
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They perform the most essential tasks.
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Third parties play a significant role in the election process because they advocate _____ reform inaction stability tradition
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reform
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What is a PAC? a committee that provides support for a candidate another name for a general election an election held to choose candidates for office a public meeting to choose candidates for office
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a committee that provides support for a candidate
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In a general election, each state has officials who count and ___ votes.
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certify
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In a closed primary, who selects a political party's nominees for office? all qualified voters only party members only party leaders delegates
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only party members
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The most important role of election officials is to make sure that an election takes place. is administered fairly. is inexpensive. finishes on time
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is administered fairly
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Which of these arguments might be used by someone who supports strict campaign finance laws? Finance laws violate the right to free speech. Wealthy people have earned the right to make big campaign donations. A corporation should be free to support whomever it wishes. Corporations and labor unions have too much power
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Corporations and labor unions have too much power
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Public financing of a campaign comes from which of these sources? wealthy donors the government foreign countries the labor unions
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the government
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The final competition for elective office is called the indirect primary. general election. closed primary. caucus.
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general election.
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Read Justice John Paul Stevens's dissenting opinion in the Citizens United case. At bottom, the Court's opinion is thus a rejection of the common sense of the American people, who have recognized a need to prevent corporations from undermining self government since the founding, and who have fought against the distinctive corrupting potential of corporate electioneering since the days of Theodore Roosevelt. -Justice Stevens Dissenting Opinion Citizens United v. Federal Elections CommissionWhat does Justice Stevens say about the Court's ruling? Corporate money will make elections more likely to reflect the public will. Corporate money will have no influence on elections. Corporate money has changed since the days of Theodore Roosevelt. Corporate money will make elections less likely to reflect the public will.
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Corporate money will make elections less likely to reflect the public will.
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In a political campaign, the person with the responsibility of contacting the media and creating printed materials is the campaign manager. fund-raising chairperson. communications director. volunteer coordinator.
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communications director.
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In which ways can voters cast ballots? Check all that apply. in person online by absentee ballot by mail by telephone
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in person online by absentee ballot by mail
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Which best describes what happens to voting districts every ten years? They are reapportioned based on political party affiliation. They are reapportioned based on information in the census. They are reapportioned to give the federal government more power. They are reapportioned to give the states more power.
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They are reapportioned based on information in the census
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Why do political parties most often try to gerrymander voting districts? to gain a political advantage to ensure an equal chance for all candidates to prove they deserve the voters' support to keep each voting district the same shape
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to gain a political advantage
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Before people can take part in an election in the United States, they must pass a written test about the Constitution. register with their states to vote. prove that they own property. demonstrate the ability to speak proper English
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register with their states to vote.
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In the United States, at what age are citizens allowed to vote? 16 18 21 25
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18
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The ________ is the governmental body that regulates political action committees (PACs).
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Federal Election Committee
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Do lobbyists exert influence among all three branches of government? Why or why not? Yes, they advise on rules and legislation and file briefs with the courts. No, they focus on developing legislation. Yes, they work with all three branches to develop policy. No, the courts are immune to outside influences
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Yes, they advise on rules and legislation and file briefs with the courts
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Which of these are true of political action committees (PACs) but not of interest groups? Select all that apply. PACs promote social causes. PACs provide financial support to political campaigns. PACs are international organizations. PACs are supported by corporate interests. PACs are regulated by the Federal Election Commission.
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PACs provide financial support to political campaigns PACs are regulated by the Federal Election Commission.
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Which best describes why it is significant that lobbyists provide information to lawmakers? They can disseminate false information to undermine opponents. They are privy to information that is otherwise unavailable. They offer precise information on voter positions. They can tailor information to support their clients' positions.
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They can tailor information to support their clients' positions
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Which amendment to the Constitution gives people the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances? First Amendment Second Amendment Fifth Amendment Fourteenth Amendment
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First Amendment
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Political action committees (PACs) are formed by lobbyists. interest groups. political campaigns. super PACs.
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interest groups.
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Powerful and influential groups called _______ committees have arisen to finance political campaigns, mostly on a national level. political action interest group petition individual
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political action
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To which branch of the federal government did the National Rifle Association submit its brief in support of super PACs in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission?
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judicial
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Which best describes what social interest groups generally promote? state religion financial support for charities international development causes and values
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causes and values
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The Internet and social media have increased the level of interactions between politicians and citizens, but how has their use changed the nature of the interactions? Their use has made interactions more volatile. Their use has structured the nature of the interactions. Their use has increased the formality of the interactions. Their use has required citizens to be proactive
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Their use has required citizens to be proactive
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Which best describes how social-networking sites help political campaigns, especially when compared to traditional media? They allow supporters to publicly criticize opponents. They ensure that a campaign's message reaches a large audience. They enable campaigns to sample public opinion. They facilitate clear communication.
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They enable campaigns to sample public opinion.
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Do news entities provide only the facts? Why or why not? Yes, news entities provide facts and leave it to the individual to interpret them. No, news entities present only opinion-based information. Yes, news entities report the facts, not what they think. No, news entities offer opinions, debate, and interpretations of events.
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No, news entities offer opinions, debate, and interpretations of events.
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When policymakers use the media to deliver a message, what sort of response do they encourage from citizens? new ideas critiques debates complaints
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new ideas
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Which of these best describes what the media generally facilitate for the public? the ability to actively participate in policy making the ability to communicate with government officials and lawmakers the ability to try to influence policy decisions the ability to hear discussions on laws and the lawmaking process
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the ability to hear discussions on laws and the lawmaking process
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The _______ is the name of the publication produced by the government that covers debates occurring in Congress.
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Congressional Record
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How has the Internet changed the way voters interact with campaigns? It has enabled more active participation by voters. It has encouraged greater consideration of the issues by voters. It has generated greater criticism of campaigns. It has increased support for candidates and voting rates.
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It has enabled more active participation by voters.
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How might opinion polls negatively affect voter behaviors? They often sway voters' opinions on the issues. They can motivate people to not vote. They frequently influence voters' stance on the candidates. They persuade people to vote for particular issues and candidates
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They can motivate people to not vote.
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When policymakers use the media to deliver specific messages to citizens, what are policymakers trying to do? solicit donations promote policies encourage debate garner votes
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promote policies
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Which of these does the media allow the public to do? stay informed about current and proposed laws gain a comprehensive understanding of policy ensure that everyone has access to the same information develop highly informed opinions about current events
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stay informed about current and proposed laws
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In a direct primary, voters are voting for a nominee through a delegate. working to determine candidates for the nomination process voting for a nominee themselves, not through a delegate. working to elect their candidate of choice in the general election
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voting for a nominee themselves, not through a delegate.
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Which best describes how political action committees (PACs) enhance the power of individuals? PACs enable individuals to donate unlimited amounts of money to campaigns. PACs ensure that the voice of the individual is heard. PACs facilitate individuals' access to politicians. PACs combine individuals' donations into significant contributions.
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PACs combine individuals' donations into significant contributions.
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How is the Democratic Party similar in beliefs to the Federalists? Both strongly opposed slavery. Both were formed because of a dispute. Both supported a strong central government. Both were organized on federal and state levels.
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Both supported a strong central government.
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What is one way in which parties demonstrate commitment to a platform? by asking voters for monetary contributions to a campaign fund by purchasing media advertisements to attack opposing philosophies by ascertaining that all eligible voters in an area can and will vote by encouraging and participating in debates over differing ideologies
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by encouraging and participating in debates over differing ideologies
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How is citizenship achieved in the United States? Check all that apply. citizenship by birth citizenship by residency citizenship by naturalization citizenship by employment citizenship by immigration
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citizenship by birth citizenship by naturalization
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Local organizations are organized by precincts, counties, and ____
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wards
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Which of these is a negative impact of lobbying? It makes businesses too transparent. It favors groups over the individual. It enables outsiders to influence lawmakers. It offers advantages to those with money
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It offers advantages to those with money
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Even though it is not a requirement, many American men volunteer for the Peace Corps. pay local, state, and federal taxes. register for the draft at a certain age. respond to summons to serve on juries.
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volunteer for the Peace Corps.
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When the United States was founded, who could vote? all American citizens all white men and women only white male property owners only men
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only white male property owners
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When campaign workers are canvassing neighborhoods, one of their goals is to identify voters who will support their candidate. sell campaign buttons door to door. determine the income level of a community. find out which candidate voters have selected.
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identify voters who will support their candidate
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Which best describes how the media influence the development of policy? It keeps lawmakers apprised of what is happening throughout the government. It informs the public, who can then convey their opinions to policymakers. It presents opinions and ideas that inspire policymakers. It facilitates informed communication between different parts of the government
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It informs the public, who can then convey their opinions to policymakers
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What is a requirement of all citizens in the United States? Everyone over a certain age must register with the Selective Service System. Everyone must be available to serve on a jury in response to a summons. Everyone must cast a vote in all municipal, state, and federal elections. Everyone over a certain age must volunteer for community service
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Everyone must be available to serve on a jury in response to a summons
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In addition to a primary, political parties can nominate candidates for general election through a petition or a vote of party leaders. caucus or a convention. signature drive or a public rally. referendum or a ballot initiative.
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caucus or a convention.
