AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CLASS

Discussion Question-125 words

1. William Galston of the University of Maryland and the Brookings Institution notes that some democracies, including Australia and Italy, require citizens to vote or pay a fine. These countries have exceptionally high turnout levels. "Our low turnout rate," Galston says, "pushes American politics toward increased polarization."

Would you favor a law requiring Americans to vote or pay a fine if they fail to do so? What are some other incentives that might encourage more people to vote? If the United States had such a policy do you think, as William Galston does, that it would significantly reduce the level of party polarization?

English Composition II

Discussion Question -125 WORDS

2. You are articulating your project for the first time in this unit. What do you think about the process of creating a project so far? Have you found it difficult or appropriately challenging? What are some of the things that you have learned so far about the process and about yourself as a researcher?

If you could go back in time to a few weeks ago, what are some of the things you know today that you would tell yourself? In other words, what are some of the key lessons you have learned? Similarly, what have you learned in researching that has made your process easier? Share these methods with your classmates; you never know whom you might help!

Alternatively, you have been deeply situated in your research for the past few units. What have you learned about your topic that you did not know before? What do you find fascinating? What advice would you like to share with your classmates?

Question 1

How does our current party system impact elections? How can a minor party play a part in an election?

Question 2

Discuss the structure and role of party organizations. Mention each level of party organization-local, state, and national-including what the function is of each in modern politics.

Question 3

Do you feel that it is important that every person that is legally allowed to vote does so? Why or why not? Do you feel that it is easy for most people to go and vote? Why or why not? Describe some common trends that keep people from voting. Describe other methods besides voting that people can use to participate in the political process. Have you every participated in any of these methods? If so, what did you do?

Question 4

There has been a great deal of controversy over the Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare. In your textbook, there are three methods described that most Americans use to evaluate political developments such as ObamaCare. Using those three methods, describe how someone could come to the conclusion that he or she is against ObamaCare.