Domestic Policy

Gun Control  Issue:Can the government constitutionally restrict gun access?  Currently: The government allows people to have guns, but they are required to go through a background check and must learn how to properly handle the gun  Arguments +Government controls help keep guns out of delinquents, dangerous criminals, ect + “Guns kill people” -Government controls make it difficult for law-abiding citizens to own a gun -2nd Amendment - “People kill people”  Issue:Can the government constitutionally restrict gun access?  Currently: The government allows people to have guns, but they are required to go through a background check and must learn how to properly handle the gun  Arguments +Government controls help keep guns out of delinquents, dangerous criminals, ect + “Guns kill people” -Government controls make it difficult for law-abiding citizens to own a gun -2nd Amendment - “People kill people”

Abortion  Issue: Can a woman have an abortion?  Currently: Federally, abortion is legal; the government allows the states to set own individual laws  Arguments: + Women have the right to choose +Some women need abortions for health issues -A life is a life -Religious doctrine  Issue: Can a woman have an abortion?  Currently: Federally, abortion is legal; the government allows the states to set own individual laws  Arguments: + Women have the right to choose +Some women need abortions for health issues -A life is a life -Religious doctrine

Security vs Freedom: Patriot Act  Issue: How far can the government go to protect freedom?  Currently: The Patriot Act was enacted in 2001 and revised in 2005, giving the government more leeway in getting personal information  Arguments +Easier for government to find terrorists and take action -Violates Right to Privacy  Issue: How far can the government go to protect freedom?  Currently: The Patriot Act was enacted in 2001 and revised in 2005, giving the government more leeway in getting personal information  Arguments +Easier for government to find terrorists and take action -Violates Right to Privacy

Electoral College  Issue: Do we need an electoral college?  Currently: The government is keeping the electoral college system set up in the Constitution  Arguments: +Electoral college more efficient +Equal state representation -No longer needed because people are more informed -Computers can be used to make more efficient  Issue: Do we need an electoral college?  Currently: The government is keeping the electoral college system set up in the Constitution  Arguments: +Electoral college more efficient +Equal state representation -No longer needed because people are more informed -Computers can be used to make more efficient

Judicial Election  Issue: How should the balance of Conservative vs Liberal power be dealt with?  Currently: The president appoints a judge, if the judge gets majority vote in the Senate then the judge is sworn in. But, lately Senate members have been using filibusters in order block judges that they do not want. In order to end a debate, a vote of 60 is required.  Arguments: +Senate there to advise president +Federal judges meant to be confirmed by majority vote -Filibusters undermine the political process and ending the debate with 60 is too much.  Issue: How should the balance of Conservative vs Liberal power be dealt with?  Currently: The president appoints a judge, if the judge gets majority vote in the Senate then the judge is sworn in. But, lately Senate members have been using filibusters in order block judges that they do not want. In order to end a debate, a vote of 60 is required.  Arguments: +Senate there to advise president +Federal judges meant to be confirmed by majority vote -Filibusters undermine the political process and ending the debate with 60 is too much.

Impact on the Government  The policies are what the government uses to run the country  Whether or not the public likes the policies affects the election of officials  Officials use domestic policies in elections (Example: presidential elections)  The policies are what the government uses to run the country  Whether or not the public likes the policies affects the election of officials  Officials use domestic policies in elections (Example: presidential elections)

Impact on the People  The policies are what our lives as citizens are based off of  Economy and taxes  Rights and responsibilities as a citizen.  Adjusts rights that the states have.  Standards for living (ie: Food and Drugs administration)  The policies are what our lives as citizens are based off of  Economy and taxes  Rights and responsibilities as a citizen.  Adjusts rights that the states have.  Standards for living (ie: Food and Drugs administration)

Outside Sources  American Civil Liberties Union (  Almanac of Policy Issues (  American Civil Liberties Union (  Almanac of Policy Issues (