Write an essay about what you would change about the US Constitution or how the US government operates. Also, what policy changes would you like to see at the local, state, or federal levels? Explain the reasoning behind your views.

Your essay should reflect a basic understanding of how the system currently operates, in terms of the powers of the various branches of government, the divisions between the state and federal governments under federalism, and the role of other relevant institutions like political parties and interest groups.

I don't mean that I expect you to give an overview of US government; I mean that when you discuss changing some aspect of how the government operates, your discussion should show that you understand how that aspect currently functions.

Think about the ways that government impacts your life on a daily basis, either helping you do things or restricting your behavior and preventing you from doing things.

Try to come up with a list of ways the government (any type of government: local, state, or federal) affects you in the course of a typical day.

Do you think the government should be more involved in your life or less involved? What particular things would you like to see government doing that it isn't doing now (services it could provide, ways it should regulate behavior, new laws that you think are necessary)?

What things would you like to see government stop doing (services that should be eliminated or cut, regulations or laws that should be repealed)?

If you see problems in your community or in the country, do you think it's possible for the government-local, state, or federal-to fix those problems?

If not, do you think the government should operate differently so that it can fix those problems, or do you think those problems shouldn't be addressed by government? You don't need to answer each of these questions in your essay-they are meant to help you think about the larger question of how you think the US government or the Constitution could be changed for the better.

Your essay should be in the range of 600 to 1000 words (the equivalent of 2 to 3 full pages, double-spaced with 1-inch margins). You don't need to conduct any outside research for this assignment (you may if you like; be sure to fully cite any sources you use). You should, however, make reference to relevant course materials.