Author: chris

1. Determine the pertinent demographic, social, political, and economic factors about your chosen country.

• What is the purpose of the intelligence information report (IIR)? Explain.

Discussion Question 7: Explain the arguments for and against Affirmative Action. Are programs like Affirmative Action still needed? Is promoting diversity a legitimate argument in favor of Affirmative Action? Is the Texas plan to admit the top students from each high school a better alternative? Why or why not? Check out the resources on Affirmative Action in the content area.

Discussion Question 6: Explain the purpose of the Voting Rights Act. How has it been weakened in recent years? Is some form of the Voting Rights Act still needed? Why or why not? Are Voter ID laws a necessary measure to protect against fraud or do they hinder people’s voting rights? Explain. Read Chapter 5 and the CQ Researcher article before responding to this question. Please submit your initial answer by midnight Wednesday.

• Discussion Question 5: Describe government surveillance programs that have developed since 9/11. Do you think these programs violate citizens’ constitutional rights or are they necessary measures to track terrorists? Justify and explain your answer. The CQ Researcher reading and the course resources for this week provide important information on this issue.  Please submit your initial answer by midnight Sunday.

 

Discussion Question 4: What is the proper boundary between church and state? Should the first amendment be interpreted strictly so that no one’s rights are infringed by government sponsorship of religion – or should it be interpreted loosely to recognize that the U.S. is a very religious country? On the matter of religious freedom, what are the appropriate boundaries? Under what circumstances, if any, should religious freedom take precedence over the law? Illustrate your answer with specific examples. Review the CQ Researcher article on Religion and the Law and check out the videos on the Lemon Test and animal sacrifice in the content area before you answer. Please submit your initial answer by midnight Friday.

Discussion Question 3: What level of government should decide? Consider at least 2 of the following issues: legalization of drugs, setting educational standards, welfare, environmental regulation and enforcement, same sex marriage and abortion. Are decisions on these issues better placed in the hands of the states or of the federal government? Why? Provide evidence of additional research on your issues. Please submit your initial answer by midnight Wednesday

Develop a four- to five-page paper in which you analyze the Public Budget Cycle in a government agency of your choice. Be sure to include each of the phases of the budget cycle (preparation and submission, approval, execution and audit, and evaluation) and address how each relates to the overall organizational mission of the government agency.

Look at the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. What does it say about the right  of citizens to “keep and bear arms?” How do you think that right should be interpreted? Should there be any limits?

What do you think about it? If you were a Congressman or Senator, how would you vote?

• Analyze the goals of terrorism.