State of the Union Assignment 1-25-07

Go to:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070123-2.html

Read the president’s State of the Union Address.

It is too long to view the webcast so please just read it. You may not finish it, but you shouldn’t have to in order to complete the assignment.

Identify 5 policy initiatives, 5 things the president wants to do this year. In the space below LIST AND DESCRIBE IN YOUR OWN WORDS each item. You should have at least one good paragraph for each item. Cutting and pasting will not count.

This is your first grade for semester 2!!!

Executive Orders 1-18-07

Go to:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/orders/


Executive Orders:

Step 1: Examine the list of executive orders of the Bush Presidency.

Step 2: Select 2 that interest you and record their titles here.

1.

2.


Step 3: Summarize each of the orders and determine which of the president’s basic powers (policy agenda setter, government manager, foreign policy leader, or commander-in-chief) is being exercised as well as how this order might impact or be impacted by the legislative and judicial branches of government.

1.

2.


Extra Credit:

You must complete the above assignment in order to earn extra credit.

Go to the following website:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/cabinet.html

List the governmental departments that belong to the cabinet.




List the office and agencies which are not full departments but have a spot in the cabinet.




Examine the members of the president’s cabinet and determine 3 common qualities held by each.

Local Elections Assignment 1-18-07

Go to:

http://www.aldertrack.typepad.com/


Questions

1. What major decision was made by the election board on January 16, 2007?


2. Although the candidates for Alderman and Mayor are almost all Democrats, what two factions are emerging in the race for mayor?


3. Identify one of the interest groups that are investing in candidate’s campaigns.


4. Click on the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th wards on the right of the screen and examine the list of candidates for each. Find the candidates in each list that have a link and read about what the candidates stand for. Of those, which do you like best and why?