Here are some Government-related websites you can explore:
https://vote.utah.gov/vote/menu/index
Everything A4 Citizens need to know about voting.
politifact.com
PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics. PolitiFact staffers research statements and rate their accuracy on the Truth-O-Meter, from True to False. The most ridiculous falsehoods get the lowest rating, Pants on Fire. PolitiFact checks claims by elected officials, candidates, leaders of political parties and political activists and examines officials at all levels of government, from county commissioners to U.S. senators, from city council members to the president They also check claims by groups involved in the discourse -- political parties, advocacy groups and political action committees -- and examine claims in widely circulated chain emails.
votesmart.org
Vote Smart's mission is to provide free, factual, unbiased information on candidates
and elected officials to ALL Americans including
realclearpolitics.com
Most notable feature - the RCP Poll Average-- changed the way people talk about public opinion surveys during the election cycle. The most cited source for U.S. political polling information, the RCP Poll Average provides everyone--from political experts and campaign consultants, and amateur political junkies-- a more accurate read on the status of the election.
politifact.com
PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics. PolitiFact staffers research statements and rate their accuracy on the Truth-O-Meter, from True to False. The most ridiculous falsehoods get the lowest rating, Pants on Fire. PolitiFact checks claims by elected officials, candidates, leaders of political parties and political activists and examines officials at all levels of government, from county commissioners to U.S. senators, from city council members to the president They also check claims by groups involved in the discourse -- political parties, advocacy groups and political action committees -- and examine claims in widely circulated chain emails.
cbsnews.com/60-minutes/
60 Minutes is an almost 50-year old American newsmagazine TV program, ranked in the top 10 of TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
kiva.org
A non-profit organization, with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.
ThisNation.com: American Government and Politics Online
http://www.thisnation.com/
This extensive site is dedicated to providing factual information about U.S. government and politics. Focus your exploration on the "Foundations" section on the main page. There, in the sections "Why Government?" and "The American Revolution" you will find useful information about the basic principles of the American form of government. The "Why Government?" section addresses the question of the proper role of government in a society. You will find discussions about the "state of nature" as described by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and about the dangers inherent in a system based on absolute individual liberty. Links connect you to major historical documents—the Mayflower Compact, the Magna Carta, and Locke's Second Treatise on Government—that influenced the thinking of America's founders as they struggled to develop a government to protect the "natural rights of man." Review "The American Revolution" section for a variety of materials covering the beginnings of the colonial rebellion and the initial attempts at establishing an "American" form of government. Follow the link to the text of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" to get a firsthand look at how the colonists regarded the monarchy and their reasons for wanting to overthrow it.
Major U.S. Political Parties
Democratic Web Site
http://www.democrats.org
Republican Party Web Site
http://www.gop.com
To understand the philosophies and platforms of the two major U.S. political parties, go directly to the source. The Democrats and Republicans have gone to great lengths to establish a presence on the Web and give you their take on the issues, ideas, candidates, and social philosophies that make up the political universe. These sites have a multitude of links to in-depth information about their candidates, party platforms, and stand on the issues of the day. Some of the material is directed at various interest groups, focusing on their specific political and social concerns. Of course, both sites also take advantage of the opportunity to criticize the opposing party and to provide their own interpretation of facts and figures. Compare and contrast the sites to get a feel for the similarities and differences between the two dominant forces in U.S. politics. You can judge for yourself how effective they are in communicating their messages to the voters. Both sites also have a Spanish-language translation feature.
The Center for Public Integrity: Investigative Journalism in the Public Interest
http://www.publicintegrity.org
The Center for Public Integrity is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that practices investigative journalism on issues of public concern. Time spent here will give you a better understanding of the complexities of special interest influence on the making of public policy in U.S. government. This excellent site allows you to access their research and "get the straight scoop" on some of the most powerful interest groups in U.S. politics. Explore these influential organizations by clicking on the "Investigations" link at the top of the page or by using the pull-down menus at the left side. While there are many areas to explore, you may want to focus on even-handed and well-researched investigations that examine the impact of corporations and their lobbyists on the U.S. political process. For example, you might explore "Power Trips" (how private-travel sponsors gain special access to Congress), "Pushing Prescriptions" (how the drug industry promotes its agenda), "Lobby Watch" (how private interests influence public policy), and "Silent Partners" (how political nonprofits work the system). The site also provides video clips, transcripts, charts, and graphs, as well as explanations of the center's investigative methodologies.
The Roots of American Democracy
Ourdocuments.gov: 100 Milestone Documents from the National Archives
http://www.ourdocuments.gov/
This well-designed resource, Ourdocuments.gov: 100 Milestone Documents from the National Archives, will
help you understand some of the most important ideas represented in our democratic form of government. Click
away to explore the top 100 documents of American history that reflect the quest to develop a "more perfect
union." Use the interactive icons or the site menu to visit discussions of the ideas and origins of such essential
documents as the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, the
Virginia Plan, the Federalist Papers, and the Bill of Rights. Every section provides a full transcript and images
of the document. You will also find clear, concis
From Revolution to Reconstruction: A Biography of John Locke
http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/B/locke/locke.htm
From Revolution to Reconstruction: A Biography of John Locke is a section of the large Hypertext on American History's site that provides a clear and concise biographical sketch of the contributions made by John Locke to the philosophical underpinnings of the American Revolution. You will find clear explanations of Locke's arguments against the "divine rights" of kings theory and in favor of a government that represents the "natural rights" of its citizens. You will find links to two of Locke's most influential writings about the role of government, documents that had a profound impact on the founders of the United States: A Letter Concerning Toleration and Second Treatise on Government. Both documents require close attention, but a careful reading will solidify your understanding of why Locke's ideas were so important to the formation of U.S. political institutions. Be sure to explore the other links on the left side of the page, which will take you to an extensive array of documents, biographies, and essays concerning the development of American government and culture.
Comparing Forms of Government
Kidepede—History for Kids: Ancient Government
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/
The site Kidepede—History for Kids: Ancient Government, developed by a Portland State history
professor, provides an informative overview of the role of government throughout history. It also
enables you to compare and contrast different forms of ancient government. Your investigation
begins with an introduction to ancient government, where you are presented with examples of the
earliest attempts at forming rudimentary societal systems. Through links you can learn, for
example, about the Stone Age and power structures such as chiefdoms, complex chiefdoms, and early
states. Once you have a foundation in these early attempts at controlling larger and larger
populations, follow the next set of links to learn about the development of governments in such
major civilizations as Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In addition, use the main menu on the left side of
the page to access comprehensive descriptions of governmental structures in other regions and
nations.
Comparing Forms of Government
Fordham University: Internet Modern History Sourcebook
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook.html
This amazingly detailed site, Fordham University: Internet Modern History Sourcebook, contains a wealth of
documents pertaining to the study of modern history. The documents are categorized in a very useful outline
format. To learn more about the organization of various government systems, review the comprehensive menu
on the left side of the home page. Look for links that pertain to political or governmental organization, such as
"Absolutism," "Constitutionalism," "Enlightenment," "Enlightened Despots," "Nationalism," and "Socialism."
Each page offers a wealth of primary sources, scholarly essays, and historical analyses. The documents
containing the ideas of the original architects of modern government systems are of particular value. Each
section outlines how that particular governmental system relates to various countries in modern history. For
example, the "Absolutism" section focuses on the development of this form of government in Spain and France.
Among these documents, you will encounter some complex writings and ideas. But it is well worth taking the
time to explore these rich resources, as they will greatly expand your understanding of the concepts that
influenced the development of political systems throughout history.
Public Opinion Resources
Museum of the Moving Image: The Living Room Candidate—Presidential Campaign Commercials
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org
This site, Museum of the Moving Image: The Living Room Candidate—Presidential Campaign Commercials, provides an outstanding overview of how the media have increasingly come to influence public opinion by turning presidential elections into marketing campaigns, with candidate commercials delivered directly to your television. This online exhibition contains more than 250 actual television commercials from every election year starting in 1952. The site allows you to explore these ads via a searchable database, and augments the commercials with commentary, election results, and historical background materials. Use the toolbar to navigate by election year, commercial type, and specific issues. The "Type of Commercial" section allows you to see the various strategies used to influence public opinion, such as instilling fear, helping children, projecting strength, and using biographical anecdotes. The "Issue" section provides insight into the use of "hot button" issues to influence the voter, or "consumer." Click the "The Desktop Candidate" link to review how campaign managers use the Internet to reach an even wider marketplace of voters. Here you will find links to actual candidate sites for recent election years. In particular, note the strategies used to reach out to young voters and to potential voters like you. You will develop an appreciation of how much time, money, and effort is expended to influence the voters of this nation. Being aware of how political campaigns may try to manipulate you can help you to look beneath the glossy advertising and draw your own conclusions.
PollingReport.com
http://www.pollingreport.com/
This nonpartisan site, PollingReport.com, tracks trends in American public opinion through a variety of opinion polls and surveys. For almost any issue you can think of, this site provides multiple polls and surveys that track the mood and attitudes of the American voter. You will find poll results from major newspapers, television networks, news magazines, and traditional polling organizations such as Gallup and Harris. Satisfy your curiosity about which candidates are considered front runners, review the popularity ratings of the president, and analyze how your fellow Americans feel about the performance of Congress. In addition, the public's views on issues of national importance—such as tax policy, consumer confidence, and the war in Iraq—are covered in detail. Access issues and polls by clicking links in the site directory using the "Search" feature or looking for featured topics on the home page.
National Archives and Records Administration: U.S. Electoral College
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/index.html
If you are at all confused about the role of the Electoral College in presidential elections,National Archives and Records Administration: U.S. Electoral College is a site that will help you understand the ins and outs of our indirect method of electing a president. The informative "Frequently Asked Questions" section addresses the historical rationale behind the Electoral College and explains why we don't elect our president by a majority vote of all citizens. Visit other sections of this extensive site to uncover details about the impact of the Electoral College on past elections and to discover how each state's electors are selected. The "Electoral College Calculator" section demonstrates how state electoral votes combine to elect our presidents.
The Center for Responsive Politics: Opensecrets.org
http://www.opensecrets.org
The Center for Responsive Politics: Opensecrets.org, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research group, is your guide to the flow of money in U.S. elections. The Center for Responsive Politics is dedicated to tracking the large sums of money funneled to our elected officials in the form of campaign contributions, special interest contributions, and lobbying. This site makes it possible for citizens like you to become better informed about the organizations and individuals that supply the vast amounts of money necessary to run a modern campaign. It also offers a clear overview of how "big money" influences the priorities of your elected representatives in terms of proposed legislation and public policy. You can research who gives, how much they give, and what they get in return in a typical U.S. election. Examine information on the largest donors and recipients of funds. Also review individual candidates, such as their personal worth, their relationships with large contributors and lobbyists, and their relationships with Political Action Committees.
The Center on Congress at Indiana University
http://www.centeroncongress.org/
This nonpartisan site will help make your study of the U.S. Congress and how it functions both fun and educational. Information is presented in various ways, including interactive learning modules, videos, articles, audio files, and newspaper editorials. Access these materials from the home page by simply clicking the "Learn About Congress" icon. From there you will find a wide variety of sources detailing the ways legislators work, compromise, and sometimes fight as they write and try to pass legislation. In particular, explore the "Interactive Learning Modules," where you can watch videos on various aspects of how Congress works. In addition, you will find opportunities to participate in simulations and games that emphasize how this complex organization works to serve the public interest. This site includes useful teacher materials and is also available in a Spanish format.
The Library of Congress: Thomas—Legislative Information from the Library of Congress
http://thomas.loc.gov/
You will find no better resource for learning about the legislative process and the work done by your elected representatives than this Library of Congress site, The Library of Congress: Thomas—Legislative Information from the Library of Congress. Here you can find detailed information about virtually any bill currently under consideration, explore the work of previous legislative sessions, and delve into the nuts and bolts of how Congress goes about its work. From the main page, use the navigation menu to research bills and resolutions, review the congressional record, and examine committee reports. Examine the daily workings of Congress by visiting the "Current Activity" links, which reveal day-by-day congressional calendars and schedules. Under "Learn," click "The Legislative Process" for an overview of how legislation moves through both the House and Senate. Finally, use key word searches or search for bills by a particular senator or representative to see exactly what legislation your own congressperson or senator has been responsible for.
U.S. Senate
http://www.senate.gov/
U.S. House of Representatives
http://www.house.gov/
Visit the House and Senate sites to explore what your representatives and senators are currently working on and to gain a better understanding of the legislative issues and challenges currently being addressed in Congress. Access information on your elected officials, including their voting records, the committees on which they serve, and speeches or statements they have made. Use search functions to review major pieces of current legislation and the stand (or lack thereof) taken on those issues by your congresspersons or senators. In addition, the House site offers useful information on how Congress works in general—just click on the "Educational Resources" link and then review the options under "Legislative Process." You will also find a link to a related site aimed specifically at students. Called "Kids in the House," it clearly describes how Congress functions. The Senate site does not offer the same sort of student-oriented materials, but it will enable you to easily review the performance of your senators and legislation under consideration in that body.
The American Presidency Project
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/index.php
This online project, The American Presidency Project, is dedicated to collecting and categorizing the public papers of the American presidents in a single database. This vast collection will give you invaluable insight into how individual presidents dealt with the complex duties and pressures of the office. Explore State of the Union addresses, executive orders, public speeches, press conferences, inaugural addresses, and much more. With this wealth of resources, it will be easy to compare and contrast how various presidents addressed major issues during their administrations. Also, be sure to take a look at the "Great Addresses of the Modern Presidents" and "Rallying the Nation in War" sections.
National Constitution Center Resources
Visit the National Constitution Center's Newswire at http://constitutioncenter.org/constitution-newswire/ to research current news stories that involve cases moving through the U.S. court system.
PBS Presents: The Supreme Court
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/index.html
PBS Presents: The Supreme Court, a well-designed companion site for its television series, which explores the impact and historical significance of the Supreme Court. Use the "Explore by Topic" navigation system to learn about "The Court and Democracy," "The First Hundred Years," "The Future of the Court," and other topics. Use the interactive timeline feature to trace important milestones in the Court's history. You can also choose from a variety of fun and informative games based on various functions and responsibilities of the Supreme Court. Finally, take advantage of the "Bonus Interviews" with two Supreme Court justices, and check out the "Deciding the Future" feature that allows you to predict the outcome of pending Supreme Court cases.
U.S. Department of State: Outline of the U.S. Legal System
http://www.america.gov/publications/books/outline-of-u.s.-legal-system
Investigate how the U.S. legal system works on the detailed site, U.S. Department of State: Outline of the U.S. Legal System. The resources found here are intended for interested parties—frequently citizens of other countries—who want to better understand how our court and legal systems work. They help explain why we have both state and federal court systems, how the jury system works, what determines the jurisdiction for a particular case, and how a case can travel from the lowest court all the way to the Supreme Court. The site is divided into chapters, each of which analyzes a major topic in detail, such as the history and organization of state and federal court systems or how jurisdiction for a case is determined. You will find a wide variety of images and links embedded in these materials, including a glossary of terms and a bibliography.
American Civil Liberties Union: Criminal Justice Issues
http://www.aclu.org/crimjustice/index.html
The ACLU provides this informative module, American Civil Liberties Union: Criminal Justice Issues, that analyzes how "just" the U.S. criminal justice system is and discusses what might be done to improve it. Use the "In This Section" menu to explore major criminal justice issues such as the juvenile justice system, search and seizure procedures, the legality of the death penalty, adequate defense for poor people, and the war on drugs. Each of these informative sections provides an overview of the issue and offers articles and reports that describe real-world examples of how the justice system currently functions. Embedded links direct you to information about ways to improve the application of justice in each topic area. In the "Related Information" section of the main menu, you will discover a variety of related court cases, legal documents, and legislation related to the issue under consideration.
The Sentencing Project
http://www.sentencingproject.org/default.aspx
This engaging site, The Sentencing Project, is dedicated to promoting a fair and effective criminal justice system. It will help you understand the sentencing process and proposes various reforms in sentencing laws, such as alternatives to jail time for nonviolent offenders. You will find details about trends and inequities in the U.S. justice system in such areas as sentencing policies, drug policies, racial disparities in sentencing, and the treatment of women. You can read the stories of real people, such as people affected by mandatory sentencing laws, in the "Featured Stories" section. You might also take the opportunity to review sentencing statistics in your own state in the "Statistics by State" section.
Foreign Policy in Focus: A Think Tank Without Walls
http://www.fpif.org/
This site, Foreign Policy in Focus: A Think Tank Without Walls, in addition to providing an analysis of U.S. foreign policy and international affairs, proposes alternatives to policies that the authors believe to be ineffective. You will find an amazing diversity of resources to explore, inviting you to decide for yourself whether you agree with the site's premise that U.S. security and world stability are best supported by advocating for peace, diplomacy and global cooperation. On the main page you will find links to current articles, reports, and studies about issues ranging from religion and foreign policy to nuclear disarmament. As you scroll down the page, you will find links that connect you with foreign policy challenges such as AIDS in Africa, genocide in Darfur, and the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia. Some sections focus exclusively on global peace and security challenges, while others direct you to information about U.S. foreign policy in specific regions of the world. By exploring this site, you will develop a better sense of the complex challenges faced by the United States as it tries to develop an effective foreign policy.
WorldPublicOpinion.org: Public Opinion from the United States
http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/brunitedstatescanadara/index.php?nid=&id=&lb=brusc
What do other countries think about America's role in the world? What attitudes or beliefs do Americans hold about their country’s foreign policy? This excellent site, WorldPublicOpinion.org: Public Opinion from the United States, helps answer these questions by providing you with comprehensive polling studies and reports about perceptions of, and responses to, U.S. foreign policy initiatives. Use the menu on the right side of the page to explore such controversial topics as globalization, global warming, and biotechnology. Within each article you will find links to related articles and resources that can deepen your understanding of these complex issues. This site affords an intriguing opportunity to increase your awareness of how American actions around the world are perceived both here at home and by other cultures and countries.
United Nations Cyber School Bus
http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/
The mission of this site, United Nations Cyber School Bus, is to increase knowledge of major international issues and the role played by the United Nations in addressing them. As the pace of globalization steadily increases, this site can help you make sense of the multitude of issues that affect you as a global citizen. Start your visit by clicking on the icons under the “Resources” section to learn about the history and role of the United Nations in world affairs. Next, review the modules in the center of this home page, which deal with such subjects as land mines, conservation programs, poverty programs, and human rights. You will also find games and quizzes that focus on these and other world issues. Finally, review the links in the "Curriculum" section, where you will find briefing papers that give you essential information about major global problems, such as disarmament, child soldiers, and water rights. This is a great place to learn all about the United Nations and the global problems that face us all.
Applying the 15 Forms of Civic Participation
Decide how effective each form of civic participation would be in addressing the following situations.
A group of concerned citizens wants to implement a recycling policy in their town.
A group of high school students is opposed to what they consider to be an unfair dress code, and they
want to make changes to that policy.
An individual is upset by her state’s high taxes and wants to see a change in the state tax rates.
A group of citizens believes that the labor practices of a nationwide retailer are unfair and wants to call
attention to them in order to force the company to change its policies.
A family feels that their children’s school experience would be greatly enhanced by a morning moment
of silence in which students and teachers could silently pray.
An individual wants to recruit others to help the victims of ethnic genocide in another country.
Parties, Interest Groups, and Public Policy
Research the amount of money that PACs have donated to our elected representatives. This information is easily available on votesmart.org or the Open Secrets Web site, sponsored and maintained by the Center for Responsive Politics, or at the National Constitution Center connections at www.teachtci.com.
Create a Constitutional Amendment Timeline
Examine just how difficult it actually is to amend the Constitution by creating a simple timeline showing the flag-protection amendments that have been proposed since the 1989 decision in Texas v. Johnson. (The First Amendment Center, at www.firstamendmentcenter.org has a timeline you can use.) Underneath your timeline, have list two or three conclusions that can be drawn from the information on the timeline..
Research a Recently Proposed Amendment
Describe the proposed amendment and then argue in a paragraph whether or not you would vote for it if they were members of Congress.
Read about Federalism and Native Americans First Amendment Survey
https://vote.utah.gov/vote/menu/index
Everything A4 Citizens need to know about voting.
politifact.com
PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics. PolitiFact staffers research statements and rate their accuracy on the Truth-O-Meter, from True to False. The most ridiculous falsehoods get the lowest rating, Pants on Fire. PolitiFact checks claims by elected officials, candidates, leaders of political parties and political activists and examines officials at all levels of government, from county commissioners to U.S. senators, from city council members to the president They also check claims by groups involved in the discourse -- political parties, advocacy groups and political action committees -- and examine claims in widely circulated chain emails.
votesmart.org
Vote Smart's mission is to provide free, factual, unbiased information on candidates
and elected officials to ALL Americans including
- Voting Records -- Vote Smart digests key legislation in Congress and all 50 states into easy-to-understand summaries, making it easy to compare what your representatives said during the campaign with how they actually voted on the record.
- Biographical & Contact Information -- From their previous professions, education, family life, and organizational memberships to their social media accounts and latest email addresses.
- Issue Positions (Political Courage Test) -- Tests thousands of candidates for President, Congress, Governor and State Legislature with a Political Courage Test which accurately measures candidates' willingness to provide voters with their positions on the issues they will most likely face if elected.
- Interest Group Ratings -- See how over 400 national and 1300 state special interest groups evaluate your representatives. Despite their bias, special interest group ratings can help indicate where an incumbent has stood on a particular set of issues.
- Public Statements -- Vote Smart is constantly collecting speeches and public comments made by the president, governors, and congressional representatives. Just type in a word, say; 'immigration' and all public utterances containing the word 'immigration' will appear. Compare what they said while campaigning in California a few years ago to what they are saying now in New Hampshire.
- Campaign Finances -- How much money did your representatives raise and from whom?
realclearpolitics.com
Most notable feature - the RCP Poll Average-- changed the way people talk about public opinion surveys during the election cycle. The most cited source for U.S. political polling information, the RCP Poll Average provides everyone--from political experts and campaign consultants, and amateur political junkies-- a more accurate read on the status of the election.
politifact.com
PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics. PolitiFact staffers research statements and rate their accuracy on the Truth-O-Meter, from True to False. The most ridiculous falsehoods get the lowest rating, Pants on Fire. PolitiFact checks claims by elected officials, candidates, leaders of political parties and political activists and examines officials at all levels of government, from county commissioners to U.S. senators, from city council members to the president They also check claims by groups involved in the discourse -- political parties, advocacy groups and political action committees -- and examine claims in widely circulated chain emails.
cbsnews.com/60-minutes/
60 Minutes is an almost 50-year old American newsmagazine TV program, ranked in the top 10 of TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
kiva.org
A non-profit organization, with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.
ThisNation.com: American Government and Politics Online
http://www.thisnation.com/
This extensive site is dedicated to providing factual information about U.S. government and politics. Focus your exploration on the "Foundations" section on the main page. There, in the sections "Why Government?" and "The American Revolution" you will find useful information about the basic principles of the American form of government. The "Why Government?" section addresses the question of the proper role of government in a society. You will find discussions about the "state of nature" as described by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and about the dangers inherent in a system based on absolute individual liberty. Links connect you to major historical documents—the Mayflower Compact, the Magna Carta, and Locke's Second Treatise on Government—that influenced the thinking of America's founders as they struggled to develop a government to protect the "natural rights of man." Review "The American Revolution" section for a variety of materials covering the beginnings of the colonial rebellion and the initial attempts at establishing an "American" form of government. Follow the link to the text of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" to get a firsthand look at how the colonists regarded the monarchy and their reasons for wanting to overthrow it.
Major U.S. Political Parties
Democratic Web Site
http://www.democrats.org
Republican Party Web Site
http://www.gop.com
To understand the philosophies and platforms of the two major U.S. political parties, go directly to the source. The Democrats and Republicans have gone to great lengths to establish a presence on the Web and give you their take on the issues, ideas, candidates, and social philosophies that make up the political universe. These sites have a multitude of links to in-depth information about their candidates, party platforms, and stand on the issues of the day. Some of the material is directed at various interest groups, focusing on their specific political and social concerns. Of course, both sites also take advantage of the opportunity to criticize the opposing party and to provide their own interpretation of facts and figures. Compare and contrast the sites to get a feel for the similarities and differences between the two dominant forces in U.S. politics. You can judge for yourself how effective they are in communicating their messages to the voters. Both sites also have a Spanish-language translation feature.
The Center for Public Integrity: Investigative Journalism in the Public Interest
http://www.publicintegrity.org
The Center for Public Integrity is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that practices investigative journalism on issues of public concern. Time spent here will give you a better understanding of the complexities of special interest influence on the making of public policy in U.S. government. This excellent site allows you to access their research and "get the straight scoop" on some of the most powerful interest groups in U.S. politics. Explore these influential organizations by clicking on the "Investigations" link at the top of the page or by using the pull-down menus at the left side. While there are many areas to explore, you may want to focus on even-handed and well-researched investigations that examine the impact of corporations and their lobbyists on the U.S. political process. For example, you might explore "Power Trips" (how private-travel sponsors gain special access to Congress), "Pushing Prescriptions" (how the drug industry promotes its agenda), "Lobby Watch" (how private interests influence public policy), and "Silent Partners" (how political nonprofits work the system). The site also provides video clips, transcripts, charts, and graphs, as well as explanations of the center's investigative methodologies.
The Roots of American Democracy
Ourdocuments.gov: 100 Milestone Documents from the National Archives
http://www.ourdocuments.gov/
This well-designed resource, Ourdocuments.gov: 100 Milestone Documents from the National Archives, will
help you understand some of the most important ideas represented in our democratic form of government. Click
away to explore the top 100 documents of American history that reflect the quest to develop a "more perfect
union." Use the interactive icons or the site menu to visit discussions of the ideas and origins of such essential
documents as the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, the
Virginia Plan, the Federalist Papers, and the Bill of Rights. Every section provides a full transcript and images
of the document. You will also find clear, concis
From Revolution to Reconstruction: A Biography of John Locke
http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/B/locke/locke.htm
From Revolution to Reconstruction: A Biography of John Locke is a section of the large Hypertext on American History's site that provides a clear and concise biographical sketch of the contributions made by John Locke to the philosophical underpinnings of the American Revolution. You will find clear explanations of Locke's arguments against the "divine rights" of kings theory and in favor of a government that represents the "natural rights" of its citizens. You will find links to two of Locke's most influential writings about the role of government, documents that had a profound impact on the founders of the United States: A Letter Concerning Toleration and Second Treatise on Government. Both documents require close attention, but a careful reading will solidify your understanding of why Locke's ideas were so important to the formation of U.S. political institutions. Be sure to explore the other links on the left side of the page, which will take you to an extensive array of documents, biographies, and essays concerning the development of American government and culture.
Comparing Forms of Government
Kidepede—History for Kids: Ancient Government
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/
The site Kidepede—History for Kids: Ancient Government, developed by a Portland State history
professor, provides an informative overview of the role of government throughout history. It also
enables you to compare and contrast different forms of ancient government. Your investigation
begins with an introduction to ancient government, where you are presented with examples of the
earliest attempts at forming rudimentary societal systems. Through links you can learn, for
example, about the Stone Age and power structures such as chiefdoms, complex chiefdoms, and early
states. Once you have a foundation in these early attempts at controlling larger and larger
populations, follow the next set of links to learn about the development of governments in such
major civilizations as Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In addition, use the main menu on the left side of
the page to access comprehensive descriptions of governmental structures in other regions and
nations.
Comparing Forms of Government
Fordham University: Internet Modern History Sourcebook
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook.html
This amazingly detailed site, Fordham University: Internet Modern History Sourcebook, contains a wealth of
documents pertaining to the study of modern history. The documents are categorized in a very useful outline
format. To learn more about the organization of various government systems, review the comprehensive menu
on the left side of the home page. Look for links that pertain to political or governmental organization, such as
"Absolutism," "Constitutionalism," "Enlightenment," "Enlightened Despots," "Nationalism," and "Socialism."
Each page offers a wealth of primary sources, scholarly essays, and historical analyses. The documents
containing the ideas of the original architects of modern government systems are of particular value. Each
section outlines how that particular governmental system relates to various countries in modern history. For
example, the "Absolutism" section focuses on the development of this form of government in Spain and France.
Among these documents, you will encounter some complex writings and ideas. But it is well worth taking the
time to explore these rich resources, as they will greatly expand your understanding of the concepts that
influenced the development of political systems throughout history.
Public Opinion Resources
Museum of the Moving Image: The Living Room Candidate—Presidential Campaign Commercials
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org
This site, Museum of the Moving Image: The Living Room Candidate—Presidential Campaign Commercials, provides an outstanding overview of how the media have increasingly come to influence public opinion by turning presidential elections into marketing campaigns, with candidate commercials delivered directly to your television. This online exhibition contains more than 250 actual television commercials from every election year starting in 1952. The site allows you to explore these ads via a searchable database, and augments the commercials with commentary, election results, and historical background materials. Use the toolbar to navigate by election year, commercial type, and specific issues. The "Type of Commercial" section allows you to see the various strategies used to influence public opinion, such as instilling fear, helping children, projecting strength, and using biographical anecdotes. The "Issue" section provides insight into the use of "hot button" issues to influence the voter, or "consumer." Click the "The Desktop Candidate" link to review how campaign managers use the Internet to reach an even wider marketplace of voters. Here you will find links to actual candidate sites for recent election years. In particular, note the strategies used to reach out to young voters and to potential voters like you. You will develop an appreciation of how much time, money, and effort is expended to influence the voters of this nation. Being aware of how political campaigns may try to manipulate you can help you to look beneath the glossy advertising and draw your own conclusions.
PollingReport.com
http://www.pollingreport.com/
This nonpartisan site, PollingReport.com, tracks trends in American public opinion through a variety of opinion polls and surveys. For almost any issue you can think of, this site provides multiple polls and surveys that track the mood and attitudes of the American voter. You will find poll results from major newspapers, television networks, news magazines, and traditional polling organizations such as Gallup and Harris. Satisfy your curiosity about which candidates are considered front runners, review the popularity ratings of the president, and analyze how your fellow Americans feel about the performance of Congress. In addition, the public's views on issues of national importance—such as tax policy, consumer confidence, and the war in Iraq—are covered in detail. Access issues and polls by clicking links in the site directory using the "Search" feature or looking for featured topics on the home page.
National Archives and Records Administration: U.S. Electoral College
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/index.html
If you are at all confused about the role of the Electoral College in presidential elections,National Archives and Records Administration: U.S. Electoral College is a site that will help you understand the ins and outs of our indirect method of electing a president. The informative "Frequently Asked Questions" section addresses the historical rationale behind the Electoral College and explains why we don't elect our president by a majority vote of all citizens. Visit other sections of this extensive site to uncover details about the impact of the Electoral College on past elections and to discover how each state's electors are selected. The "Electoral College Calculator" section demonstrates how state electoral votes combine to elect our presidents.
The Center for Responsive Politics: Opensecrets.org
http://www.opensecrets.org
The Center for Responsive Politics: Opensecrets.org, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research group, is your guide to the flow of money in U.S. elections. The Center for Responsive Politics is dedicated to tracking the large sums of money funneled to our elected officials in the form of campaign contributions, special interest contributions, and lobbying. This site makes it possible for citizens like you to become better informed about the organizations and individuals that supply the vast amounts of money necessary to run a modern campaign. It also offers a clear overview of how "big money" influences the priorities of your elected representatives in terms of proposed legislation and public policy. You can research who gives, how much they give, and what they get in return in a typical U.S. election. Examine information on the largest donors and recipients of funds. Also review individual candidates, such as their personal worth, their relationships with large contributors and lobbyists, and their relationships with Political Action Committees.
The Center on Congress at Indiana University
http://www.centeroncongress.org/
This nonpartisan site will help make your study of the U.S. Congress and how it functions both fun and educational. Information is presented in various ways, including interactive learning modules, videos, articles, audio files, and newspaper editorials. Access these materials from the home page by simply clicking the "Learn About Congress" icon. From there you will find a wide variety of sources detailing the ways legislators work, compromise, and sometimes fight as they write and try to pass legislation. In particular, explore the "Interactive Learning Modules," where you can watch videos on various aspects of how Congress works. In addition, you will find opportunities to participate in simulations and games that emphasize how this complex organization works to serve the public interest. This site includes useful teacher materials and is also available in a Spanish format.
The Library of Congress: Thomas—Legislative Information from the Library of Congress
http://thomas.loc.gov/
You will find no better resource for learning about the legislative process and the work done by your elected representatives than this Library of Congress site, The Library of Congress: Thomas—Legislative Information from the Library of Congress. Here you can find detailed information about virtually any bill currently under consideration, explore the work of previous legislative sessions, and delve into the nuts and bolts of how Congress goes about its work. From the main page, use the navigation menu to research bills and resolutions, review the congressional record, and examine committee reports. Examine the daily workings of Congress by visiting the "Current Activity" links, which reveal day-by-day congressional calendars and schedules. Under "Learn," click "The Legislative Process" for an overview of how legislation moves through both the House and Senate. Finally, use key word searches or search for bills by a particular senator or representative to see exactly what legislation your own congressperson or senator has been responsible for.
U.S. Senate
http://www.senate.gov/
U.S. House of Representatives
http://www.house.gov/
Visit the House and Senate sites to explore what your representatives and senators are currently working on and to gain a better understanding of the legislative issues and challenges currently being addressed in Congress. Access information on your elected officials, including their voting records, the committees on which they serve, and speeches or statements they have made. Use search functions to review major pieces of current legislation and the stand (or lack thereof) taken on those issues by your congresspersons or senators. In addition, the House site offers useful information on how Congress works in general—just click on the "Educational Resources" link and then review the options under "Legislative Process." You will also find a link to a related site aimed specifically at students. Called "Kids in the House," it clearly describes how Congress functions. The Senate site does not offer the same sort of student-oriented materials, but it will enable you to easily review the performance of your senators and legislation under consideration in that body.
The American Presidency Project
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/index.php
This online project, The American Presidency Project, is dedicated to collecting and categorizing the public papers of the American presidents in a single database. This vast collection will give you invaluable insight into how individual presidents dealt with the complex duties and pressures of the office. Explore State of the Union addresses, executive orders, public speeches, press conferences, inaugural addresses, and much more. With this wealth of resources, it will be easy to compare and contrast how various presidents addressed major issues during their administrations. Also, be sure to take a look at the "Great Addresses of the Modern Presidents" and "Rallying the Nation in War" sections.
National Constitution Center Resources
Visit the National Constitution Center's Newswire at http://constitutioncenter.org/constitution-newswire/ to research current news stories that involve cases moving through the U.S. court system.
PBS Presents: The Supreme Court
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/index.html
PBS Presents: The Supreme Court, a well-designed companion site for its television series, which explores the impact and historical significance of the Supreme Court. Use the "Explore by Topic" navigation system to learn about "The Court and Democracy," "The First Hundred Years," "The Future of the Court," and other topics. Use the interactive timeline feature to trace important milestones in the Court's history. You can also choose from a variety of fun and informative games based on various functions and responsibilities of the Supreme Court. Finally, take advantage of the "Bonus Interviews" with two Supreme Court justices, and check out the "Deciding the Future" feature that allows you to predict the outcome of pending Supreme Court cases.
U.S. Department of State: Outline of the U.S. Legal System
http://www.america.gov/publications/books/outline-of-u.s.-legal-system
Investigate how the U.S. legal system works on the detailed site, U.S. Department of State: Outline of the U.S. Legal System. The resources found here are intended for interested parties—frequently citizens of other countries—who want to better understand how our court and legal systems work. They help explain why we have both state and federal court systems, how the jury system works, what determines the jurisdiction for a particular case, and how a case can travel from the lowest court all the way to the Supreme Court. The site is divided into chapters, each of which analyzes a major topic in detail, such as the history and organization of state and federal court systems or how jurisdiction for a case is determined. You will find a wide variety of images and links embedded in these materials, including a glossary of terms and a bibliography.
American Civil Liberties Union: Criminal Justice Issues
http://www.aclu.org/crimjustice/index.html
The ACLU provides this informative module, American Civil Liberties Union: Criminal Justice Issues, that analyzes how "just" the U.S. criminal justice system is and discusses what might be done to improve it. Use the "In This Section" menu to explore major criminal justice issues such as the juvenile justice system, search and seizure procedures, the legality of the death penalty, adequate defense for poor people, and the war on drugs. Each of these informative sections provides an overview of the issue and offers articles and reports that describe real-world examples of how the justice system currently functions. Embedded links direct you to information about ways to improve the application of justice in each topic area. In the "Related Information" section of the main menu, you will discover a variety of related court cases, legal documents, and legislation related to the issue under consideration.
The Sentencing Project
http://www.sentencingproject.org/default.aspx
This engaging site, The Sentencing Project, is dedicated to promoting a fair and effective criminal justice system. It will help you understand the sentencing process and proposes various reforms in sentencing laws, such as alternatives to jail time for nonviolent offenders. You will find details about trends and inequities in the U.S. justice system in such areas as sentencing policies, drug policies, racial disparities in sentencing, and the treatment of women. You can read the stories of real people, such as people affected by mandatory sentencing laws, in the "Featured Stories" section. You might also take the opportunity to review sentencing statistics in your own state in the "Statistics by State" section.
Foreign Policy in Focus: A Think Tank Without Walls
http://www.fpif.org/
This site, Foreign Policy in Focus: A Think Tank Without Walls, in addition to providing an analysis of U.S. foreign policy and international affairs, proposes alternatives to policies that the authors believe to be ineffective. You will find an amazing diversity of resources to explore, inviting you to decide for yourself whether you agree with the site's premise that U.S. security and world stability are best supported by advocating for peace, diplomacy and global cooperation. On the main page you will find links to current articles, reports, and studies about issues ranging from religion and foreign policy to nuclear disarmament. As you scroll down the page, you will find links that connect you with foreign policy challenges such as AIDS in Africa, genocide in Darfur, and the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia. Some sections focus exclusively on global peace and security challenges, while others direct you to information about U.S. foreign policy in specific regions of the world. By exploring this site, you will develop a better sense of the complex challenges faced by the United States as it tries to develop an effective foreign policy.
WorldPublicOpinion.org: Public Opinion from the United States
http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/brunitedstatescanadara/index.php?nid=&id=&lb=brusc
What do other countries think about America's role in the world? What attitudes or beliefs do Americans hold about their country’s foreign policy? This excellent site, WorldPublicOpinion.org: Public Opinion from the United States, helps answer these questions by providing you with comprehensive polling studies and reports about perceptions of, and responses to, U.S. foreign policy initiatives. Use the menu on the right side of the page to explore such controversial topics as globalization, global warming, and biotechnology. Within each article you will find links to related articles and resources that can deepen your understanding of these complex issues. This site affords an intriguing opportunity to increase your awareness of how American actions around the world are perceived both here at home and by other cultures and countries.
United Nations Cyber School Bus
http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/
The mission of this site, United Nations Cyber School Bus, is to increase knowledge of major international issues and the role played by the United Nations in addressing them. As the pace of globalization steadily increases, this site can help you make sense of the multitude of issues that affect you as a global citizen. Start your visit by clicking on the icons under the “Resources” section to learn about the history and role of the United Nations in world affairs. Next, review the modules in the center of this home page, which deal with such subjects as land mines, conservation programs, poverty programs, and human rights. You will also find games and quizzes that focus on these and other world issues. Finally, review the links in the "Curriculum" section, where you will find briefing papers that give you essential information about major global problems, such as disarmament, child soldiers, and water rights. This is a great place to learn all about the United Nations and the global problems that face us all.
Applying the 15 Forms of Civic Participation
Decide how effective each form of civic participation would be in addressing the following situations.
A group of concerned citizens wants to implement a recycling policy in their town.
A group of high school students is opposed to what they consider to be an unfair dress code, and they
want to make changes to that policy.
An individual is upset by her state’s high taxes and wants to see a change in the state tax rates.
A group of citizens believes that the labor practices of a nationwide retailer are unfair and wants to call
attention to them in order to force the company to change its policies.
A family feels that their children’s school experience would be greatly enhanced by a morning moment
of silence in which students and teachers could silently pray.
An individual wants to recruit others to help the victims of ethnic genocide in another country.
Parties, Interest Groups, and Public Policy
Research the amount of money that PACs have donated to our elected representatives. This information is easily available on votesmart.org or the Open Secrets Web site, sponsored and maintained by the Center for Responsive Politics, or at the National Constitution Center connections at www.teachtci.com.
Create a Constitutional Amendment Timeline
Examine just how difficult it actually is to amend the Constitution by creating a simple timeline showing the flag-protection amendments that have been proposed since the 1989 decision in Texas v. Johnson. (The First Amendment Center, at www.firstamendmentcenter.org has a timeline you can use.) Underneath your timeline, have list two or three conclusions that can be drawn from the information on the timeline..
Research a Recently Proposed Amendment
Describe the proposed amendment and then argue in a paragraph whether or not you would vote for it if they were members of Congress.
Read about Federalism and Native Americans First Amendment Survey
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