Question

Political parties are a principal means by which the people’s will is made known to the government and government is held accountable to the people. Briefly describe party functions that achieve these goals.

Answer 1

Political parties exist to enrich those that are in elected office. Occasionally they will perform an act that serves the public interest.

Answer 2

i could try

Answer 3

“There cannot be a great vice president. A great man may occupy the office, but there is no way for him to become a great vice president because the office in itself is almost wholly unimportant.”
—former Vice President John Nance Garner, Collier’s Magazine, March 20, 1948

Explain what Garner meant by this remark. Use information from your reading to explain how his point of view compares with the job description of the Vice President described in the chapter.

Answer 4

The VP doesn't do much technically except ceremonially, such as swearing in judges and members of congress. The VP is really there in case something happens to the president. .

Answer 5

“[A] flat tax is simple, fair, and good for growth. Instead of the 893 forms required by the current system, a flat tax would use only two postcard-sized forms. . . . Unlike the current system, which discriminates [treats some people differently] based on the source, use, and level of income, a flat tax treats all taxpayers equally, fulfilling the ‘equal justice under law’ principle. . . . And unlike the current system, which punishes people for contributing to the nation’s wealth, a flat tax would lower . . . tax rates and eliminate [get rid of] the tax bias [discouragement] against saving and investment, thus ensuring better economic performance in a competitive global economy.”
—from “A Brief Guide to the Flat Tax,” The Heritage Foundation, July 7, 2005

(a) What is the author of this excerpt proposing? (b) According to the excerpt, how is the current progressive tax system unfair? (c) How would going to a flat tax system from a progressive tax system change the way income taxes are collected?

Answer 6

A flat tax basically means that everybody pays the same percentage of their income. Rich or poor . The rich would still pay more but their rate would be the same. Conservative Republicans tend to back this economic theory. The Heritage Foundation author argues that the current tax system is unjust because rich people pay a larger % of their taxes than lower income people, essentially punishing people that make more. The author posits that the change would encourage more spending, be simpler then filling out all of our tax forms and be fair. if this helps

Answer 7

Would a Greek-style democratic system work in modern-day America? Explain your answer.

Answer 8

The Greek style involved a single meeting of all citizens. It was possible because the population of Athens was small, and the citizens entitled to vote were a relatively small number
With a population in the 100s of millions such a system would be impossible in the US.

Answer 9

“The need for collecting large campaign funds would vanish [go away] if Congress provided an appropriation [federal money] for the proper . . . expenses of each of the great national parties, an appropriation ample [large] enough to meet the necessity [the needs of the political parties]. . . . Then [the parties should agree that] no party receiving campaign funds from the [federal] Treasury should accept more than a fixed amount from any individual . . . and [detailed information about the money taken in and spent] could without difficulty be provided.”
—President Theodore Roosevelt, Annual Message to Congress, December 3, 1907


Would you support President Roosevelt’s proposal? Explain.

Answer 10

It seems intended to reduce funding of campaigns. He is recognizing what dupes voters are and how easily they are suckered by fancy advertising hype.
Thomas Jefferson recommended to discourage heavy industry in the United States and remain with an agrarian economy. He feared since the industrial workers were dependent on wages and being directed they wouldn't be participants in a democracy.