1. For today, 10/27
Take a sheet of paper out for notes – you can title it “U.S. Government”

2. United States Government
We are a federal republic based on the Constitution. What does that mean?
What do federal and republic mean?

3. Role of the U.S. Constitution
Constitution is our “law of the land”
Bill of Rights: first 10 amendments

4. Organization of U.S. Government
Federal Government
Legislative: power to make laws (legislate)
Judicial: power to interpret laws (judge)
Executive: power to carry out the laws (execute)
State and Local Governments
10th Amendment: states can JEL their own laws
Local examples: gambling legal in LA, not in TX; League City can fine for water use; marijuana is legal prescription in CA
Separation of Powers: a system of checks and balances
(no one branch can become too powerful)

5. Representative Democracy
Democracy: rule by people
Representative Democracy
People vote for representatives (state & federal level)
Federal Representatives:
Senator John Cornyn
Senator Ted Cruz
U.S. Representative Randy Weber
U.S. Representative Pete Olson
State Representatives:
Senator Larry Taylor
State Rep. Greg Bonnen
State Rep. John E. Davis
State Rep. Craig Eiland

6. Electing our President
Case Study: Election Popular Vote Results
50,996,582
50,456,062

7. Electoral College People vote for electors 2000 E.C. Results
Electors vote for president
2000 E.C. Results
Bush: 271
Gore: 266
Number of electoral votes is based on state population; the more people, the more votes.

8. * The number of electoral votes a state gets is determined by its population. The larger the population, the more electoral votes. *
538 total electoral votes
California: 55
Texas: 38
Florida and NY: 29 (each)

9. Who would you vote for?
Write down a “1” or a “2” for each statement. Pick the statement you MOST agree with.
Do not talk!
You will have a total of 7 different issues.

10. Who would you vote for?
#1: Abortion: Pro-life. Abortion should only be legal in cases of incest, rape, or when the mother’s life is endangered. #2: Abortion: Pro-choice. Supports women’s right to choose to abort.

11. Who would you vote for?
#1: Death penalty: Supports. #2: Death penalty: Very cautious; should only be reserved for heinous crimes.

12. Who would you vote for?
#1: Gun Control: Believes in the second amendment right for all citizens to “bear arms.” #2: Gun Control: Agrees to the principle of the second amendment right to “bear arms,” but does not think it is an absolute right – rather, one that is negotiable.

13. Who would you vote for?
#1: Gay Marriage: Does not support the marriage of gay couples; marriage should only be between different-sex couples. #2: Health Care: Support gay marriage; marriage does not have to be limited to different-sex couples.

14. Who would you vote for?
#1: Marijuana: 100% illegal. Is against allowing it to be used for medicinal use under a doctor’s prescription. #2: Marijuana: Mostly illegal. Supports allowing it to be used for medicinal use under a doctor’s prescription.

15. Who would you vote for?
#1: Minimum Wage: Minimum wage should be increased when a systematic form of measurement indicates a rise in the cost of living. #2: Minimum Wage: Minimum wage should be increased when deemed necessary by the legislative and executive branches.

16. Who would you vote for?
#1: Favorite TV Shows: Modern Family, 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights #2: Favorite TV Shows: Sportscenter, Modern Family, Homeland

17. Add up your 1s and 2s…
You should have more of one particular number

18. The Groups: How the U.S. Electoral College Works
Aces: Electors!
Popular Votes
Spades
Hearts
Diamonds
Clubs

19. The Votes and Voters 1 Electoral Votes: Ace of Hearts
* The number of electoral votes a state gets is determined by its population. The larger the population, the more electoral votes. *
538 total electoral votes
California: 55
Texas: 38
Florida and NY: 29 (each)
1 Electoral Votes: Ace of Hearts
Hearts
3 Electoral Votes: Ace of Spades
Spades
5 Electoral Votes: Ace of Clubs
Clubs
8 Electoral Votes: Ace of Diamonds
Diamonds

20. The Results
#1s: Mitt Romney # 2s: Barack Obama

21. Quick Pulse Check
Go to Socrative, ROOM