This site was created and moderated by Mr. Elbaum, a government and U.S. History teacher at Adlai E. Stevenson High School.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

transcript from review session

You have just entered room "apgovtreview."

XXXXXXXXX: hi mr. elbaum
jkp4evaeva: hang on a second

jkp4evaeva: ok, what kind of questions do you have
XXXXXXXXXX has entered the room.
XXXXXXXXX: hey elbaum!
XXXXXXXXX: ok..the question is... the numerical superiority of house reprisentatives over senators carries with it the implication that?
XXXX: what #
XXXXX: well, i'll start. #5 from chapter 13. overriding political question throughout evolution of conress
XXXXXXXXXX: 25
jkp4evaeva: Numerical advantage means leadership has more power
jkp4evaeva: overiding question=what will the distribution of power be
jkp4evaeva: between House and Senate
XXXX: thanks!
XXXX: next one, number 15...
XXXXX: thank you!
XXXXX: changes in composition of congress members
jkp4evaeva: more idealogical/more partisan
jkp4evaeva: members while the general public has remained more moderate
XXXX: great! thanks! i remember now that we talked about that one in class
jkp4evaeva: yep, Congress was supposed to embody the will of the people
XXXX: what is the life expectancy of a bill- was that asking for years or for the step in the law-making process
jkp4evaeva: 2 Years to pass or it dies
XXXXX: what is the cloture rule?
jkp4evaeva: one congress
jkp4evaeva: no, cloture is a tad different
jkp4evaeva: cloture ends a filibuster
jkp4evaeva: 60/100 are needed
jkp4evaeva: for cloture
XXXXXX: oh okay, cause number 57 asked about the current cloture rule
jkp4evaeva: A bill has two years to pass (signed by Prez or veto overridden)
jkp4evaeva: 3/5's vote, or 60 senators
XXXXXX: so 2 year life expectancy. thanks!
jkp4evaeva: sure
XXXXX: okay ...thank you!
XXXXXXX: okay those are all my questions mr. elbaum.
XXXXXX: thank you so much!!!
XXXXX: also, #58, which is too long to type in. lol (that's laugh out loud, right elbaum?)
jkp4evaeva: =-O---that's all??
jkp4evaeva: look how they voted on amendments
LovinUAlwayz23: yeah..hehe i finished my review packet yesterday
jkp4evaeva: sometimes, those are the most important parts
CoolJul8: the floor amendments?
jkp4evaeva: of a bill
jkp4evaeva: amendments to a bill, yes they could be put on on the floor
XXXXXX: wait...one more question..number 64
XXXXXX: lol
XXXXXXX: ok. thanks. i figured out all the amendment stuff last night with leg. lingo
jkp4evaeva: in a decentralized system, there is federalism (power of state and national govt)
jkp4evaeva: therefore, there are more people to corrupt
jkp4evaeva: in a decentralized system
XXXXXXX: oohh okay
jkp4evaeva: does that make sense?
XXXXXX: gotcha
XXXXXX: yeah
XXXXXXX: thanks mr. elbaum!
XXXXXX: more opp. for corruption b/c more ppl involved
jkp4evaeva: happy to help
jkp4evaeva: yes
XXXXX: ok. gotcha. that makes sense
XXXXXXX: ill be on later to ask more questions!
jkp4evaeva: ok, I'll be here for a while
XXXXXX: elbaum, do u mind if i still ask u a few questions?
XXXXXX: okay thanks!@
jkp4evaeva: shoot
XXXXXXX has left the room.
XXXXXX: #7, from IG/chapter 11
XX n XXX XXXX has entered the room.
jkp4evaeva: keep crisis in the spotlight
jkp4evaeva: they count on the media to keep the crisis in the spotlight
XXX n XX XXX: i have a question on number 40
XXXX: oh, that makes sense- to be effective ppl have to hear about them
XXXXX has entered the room.
jkp4evaeva: yea..all about information
XXXX: k. thanks
jkp4evaeva: can the new people see the text that happened before you came in?
XXXXX: nope
XX n XXX XXXX: no
XXXXX: r u posting it on the blog later? b/c they could c it then
jkp4evaeva: ok fire away new people
XXXXX has entered the room.
jkp4evaeva: i'll put the entire transcript on the blog when i'm done
XXXX: thanks!
XXXXX: sounds good
XXXX: ok question... the changes brought about by the committee bill of rights in the early 1970s included the right to have subcommitte jurisdiction determined by...?
XXXXX: i think i'm all questioned out for right now, but i might stick around to c other questions and check my answers
jkp4evaeva: what #
jkp4evaeva: so everyone can ply along at home
XXXXXX: 35
jkp4evaeva: they were brought on by the majority party
jkp4evaeva: i mean determined by the majority party
XXXXX: ok that makes sense thank you
jkp4evaeva: that makes being in the majority even more important
XXXXXXX: I had a question about # 36...Describe the recent trends in COngressregarding the number of amendments to proposed laws
CoolJul8: general question. when u r no longer in the majority, if u r a committee chairman do u just one day lose your job?
jkp4evaeva: they have increased, gone way up becca
jkp4evaeva: yes you give it up
jkp4evaeva: committees are chaired only by majority party
XXXXX
XXXXX: that kinda sucks. one day u just have to leave. govn't is harsh
XXXXX: lol
jkp4evaeva: laugh out loud
XXXXX: lol
XXXXXX: haha
jkp4evaeva: you guys know what Ways and Means does?
jkp4evaeva: the committee
XXXX: a lot
XXXXX: raise taxes bills go there
jkp4evaeva: yes...one of the most powerful committees in the house
XXXXXX: is there an equivalent in the senate?
XXXXXX: th senate Finacne committee?
XXXXXX: finance*
jkp4evaeva: not by name. but yes, Finance
XXXXXX: another general question. does the joint committee iron out the differences in bills b4 they go to the chambers or after they go and r voted on once?
XXXXXX: after right?
jkp4evaeva: yea
XXXXXXX: I have a question on #42 What generalization can be given regarding the speed with which bills move through congress?
XXXXX: slow
jkp4evaeva: it varies widely
jkp4evaeva: some bills are on the fast track
XXXXX: oops hahaha
XXXXX: so they vote once, iron out differences, and vote again
jkp4evaeva: like the PATRIOT act after 9.11
jkp4evaeva: most of the time
XXXXXX: ok... thanks
XXXXX: question on 38.. Explain the effects of the growth in congressional staff
XXXXX: more reliance on them?
jkp4evaeva: it's meant more legislative work...yes basically more reliance
jkp4evaeva: members of congress have more expected out of them
jkp4evaeva: remember, congressman get 100k's of dollars for staff
XXXXX: right
jkp4evaeva: that's a new thing
XXXXX: so because they have help now they have more expected out of them?
jkp4evaeva: yes
XXXXX: got it
XXX n ThE XXXX: if you are a commitee staf member and want to know the status of a bill where can you get th einfo form most quicly?
XXXXX: Is the life expectancy of a bill 2 yrs?
jkp4evaeva: one of the reasons why being a congressman is now a fulltime job
jkp4evaeva: what #
XX n ThE XXX: 40
XXXX: 45
jkp4evaeva: Congressional REsearch office
XXX n XXXX XXXX: ok
jkp4evaeva: Life of a bill=2 years (one house)
XXXXX: ok cool
jkp4evaeva: when a "new house" comes in,bill must start over
jkp4evaeva: because there a many new members
XXXXX: what do you mean by new house
XXXXXX: start over in committe or in terms of voting
jkp4evaeva: re-introduced
jkp4evaeva: start from step #1
XXXXX: oh ok
jkp4evaeva: because sometimes there's a new speaker
jkp4evaeva: like pelosi took over for Dennis Hastert, a republican
XXXX: so then all the bills had to be reintrocued?
XXXXX: reintroduced**
XXXXXX: yikes. thats a bit monotonous. that would explain the 2 year lifespan though
XXXXXXX 90 has entered the room.
jkp4evaeva: That's why bills dont get introduced at the end of a sesion
jkp4evaeva: what's up shizzle
XXXXXX: what about #53 Unlike the house, the scheduling of legislation in the senate is whose responsibility?
XXXXXX 90: hi yea i just had questions on 63 and64 of the ch 13 review
XX: majoirty leader?
jkp4evaeva: yes, and minority leader
XXXXXX: both?
jkp4evaeva: they work together
XXXXX: k
jkp4evaeva: with final say going to maj leader
jkp4evaeva: shizzle, 63 is reffering to the franking priv
jkp4evaeva: remember what that is
XXXXX 90: yea congressmen get free postage
XXX n ThE XXXX: increased reliance on staff has made congress more? #39
jkp4evaeva: 4 shizzle
izzle4shizzle 90: hah thanks
jkp4evaeva: made them more individualistic
jkp4evaeva: they dont work with others as much
jkp4evaeva: just their staff
XXX n ThE XXXXX: thx
jkp4evaeva: they dont need other members of congress anymore
jkp4evaeva: or as much
XXXX: I had a question on 64 also?
XXXX has entered the room.
XXXX 90: yea the text book is vague on 64
jkp4evaeva: hisham, welcome to the party
XXXXXX: thanks
jkp4evaeva: someone help shizzle on 64
XXXX: elbaum how do you know who everyone is
XXXXXX 90: yes please
XXXXXX has left the room.
jkp4evaeva: decentralized is reffering to federalism
jkp4evaeva: state and federal power
jkp4evaeva: therefore, there are more officals to effect policy
jkp4evaeva: and therefore, more corruption is possible
XXXXX: so more corruption is possible in a system liek ours?
XXXXXX 90: ok so basically there are more areas for corruptoin to occur?
XXXXXX: elbaum the podcast is key to my success
XXXXX has entered the room.
XXXXXXX: im nothing without it

XXXXX: stupid wireless internet threw me off. sorry, it tends to do that! lol
jkp4evaeva: yes shizzle
jkp4evaeva: local, state, federal officials
jkp4evaeva: more people=more chance of corruption
XXXXXXX 90: makes sense
jkp4evaeva: talking about #64
XXXXX: what does myrtle think about this
XXXXX: ok i have a question on interest group study guide
jkp4evaeva: i think hisham just came to talk and not for any questions
XXXX: #20... sometimes money affects legislative behavior not so much by buying votes as by ensuring whwat else?
XXXXX: lol
XXXX: agreed.
XXXXXX: lol haha yeah i got the football game on, im not ready to study
XXXX: hisham dont tell peopel that
jkp4evaeva: access
XXXXXX: to...
jkp4evaeva: interest group's just want a meeting with power
jkp4evaeva: either congressman or even POTUS
XXXXXXX: #3 on the Interest groups Questions... List a type of interest group whose representation in Washington has skyrocketed since 1970
jkp4evaeva: money doesnt buy votes, it buys acces
XXXXXXXX 90: well i'm all about studyin right now... so how bout number 13 interest groups
jkp4evaeva: public interest becca
XXXXX: thanks
jkp4evaeva: what's the question shizzle
XXXXXX: #14 on IG- answer is develop and maintain confidence of legislator over long period of time??
XXXXXX 90: the value of info, the power of lobbyists, and thus the success of ig's are greatest when what is ture
XXXXXX 90: true
jkp4evaeva: when the issue is very narrow...usually then it's more complex and out of the reach of most people except for specialists like interest groups
jkp4evaeva: shizzle..make sense?
XXXXXX 90: oh yea that was on teh quiz
X: narrow
X: wait for #14 is it because they need to maintain trust
X: and confidence
jkp4evaeva: yes
jkp4evaeva: yes
jkp4evaeva: reputation is everything in washington
X: k. just double checking
jkp4evaeva: if you have a rep of giving bad info you're worthless
XXXX: #8 The policies of public-interest organizations are predominantly shaped by...?
X: goals of nonmenbers?
jkp4evaeva: elites, or as bayle would say....
X: LOL
X: (laugh out loud)
jkp4evaeva: thanks for the explanation
X: on congress review questions number 10? the most important change that has occured in the composition of the House..?
X: would nonmeber's goals work too?
X: nm
XXXX has left the room.
XX 90: i think number ten is the number of first-term members in the house
X: i thought that it was because it became increasingly more African American?
X has entered the room.
X: i thought it was first termers too, but on the quiz that wasnt one of the answers
X: yes...HiInN they're looking for a change in incubency
XXXXX: i have shift in minorit influence due to differing majorities
X 90: yea i notices that too
X: HIIII ITS SHANAYNAY
X: #9 Who in America is most likely to join interest groups?
X 90: yo elbaum .. can u help us on that one
jkp4evaeva: above average voters
X: ppl from upper class
X: which one. Im sorry
X: i was inviting sha nay nay in
X: hi k question.....# 13:define a marginal district
jkp4evaeva: marginal is when someone wins, but barely---usually with less than 55% of the vote
X 90: its all good... but what is the most important change that has happened in the composition of the house?
X: apparently that is change in incumbency?
jkp4evaeva: there has been a slight change in incumency rates
X 90: right..doesnt that refer to the # of first-termers
jkp4evaeva: a major decrease in turnover
X: ok, I'm heading out... thanks Elbaum... bye everyone!
X 90: so more new members?
jkp4evaeva: no, less new members
X has left the room.
X 90: ahh
jkp4evaeva: decrease in turnover
jkp4evaeva: like we talked about in the FRQ
jkp4evaeva: because of gerrymandering, pork, etc
X: The most important change that has occurred in the composition of the House in this century is that it there has been a decrease in turnover?
X: does that make sense
X: ok, elbaum i g2g study for this and another test, but i'll check the blog tonight to c what i missed and come back with anymore questions i have. thanks so much for all your help! we should make this a tradition for every test...
X 90: oh wait... i read the book wrong... its more difficult for new members to join
X: thanks again! c u tomorrow!!!!
X has entered the room.
jkp4evaeva: JZ in the house
X: #58: if you wanted to know what memebr of congress really though about a bill, you would be best advised to look at how he or she voted on what?
X has left the room.
jkp4evaeva: how they voted on amendments
X n ThE X: when a bill passes the house and senate in substantially diffrent forms the diffrences are resolved where? #60
BabbYBunnY05: thank:-)
X: conference
jkp4evaeva: yana, that would show whether they wanted the bill to pass or not
jkp4evaeva: Catie, what qtl a-z entertainment said
X n X X: huh?
X: LOL again
X: #5. what has been the overriding political question throughout the evolution of congress?
jkp4evaeva: conference committee is a joint commitee that irons out the differences so the bill passes in IDENTICAL form to the president
jkp4evaeva: make sense?
X: by the wya.. glim really thinks a-z is coming
jkp4evaeva: overiding question- what should the distribution of power be between house and senate
jkp4evaeva: also, what exactly does the elastic clause and.or commerce clause mean
X: house leadership has more control...?
X: bc more representatives?
jkp4evaeva: yes, therefore more control
X 90: wait but aren't they supposed to be = b/c of checks and balances
X: elbaum im bout to fail this test i hope u know
X: elbaum im bout to fail this test i hope u know
jkp4evaeva: they can check each other but the senate is still the "upper house"
jkp4evaeva: you'll do fine..the NEXT test is the hard one
X: y
X: ?
X: why what is the next test
X 90: right... but you just said yes to a question asking if the house had more control...
jkp4evaeva: house LEADERSHIP has more control
X 90: oh ok.. sorry for being difficult
jkp4evaeva: speaker more powerful than president pro tempore
X 90: haha
jkp4evaeva: you're not difficult
jkp4evaeva: :-)
X: can you explain the commerce/elastic thing
X 90: ok so, the house leadership has more control, but the senate is still the upper house, but the leader of the house has more power than the leader of the senate?
jkp4evaeva: sure...the commerce clause and elastic clause give congress unspecified power
jkp4evaeva: both clauses are vague
jkp4evaeva: they could mean nothing or everything
jkp4evaeva: commerce: power to regulate interstate commerce
X: ok got it
X: and where are they again
jkp4evaeva: constitution
X: well obviously
jkp4evaeva: yes to your last question izzle
X: which part again haha
izzle4shizzle 90: ight thank you sir
jkp4evaeva: article i ellis
X: thanks
jkp4evaeva: section 8
jkp4evaeva: clause 18
QtLS11: haha so specific thanks!
X: wait whats the role of the interest groups, 1. concept of federalism, weakening of political parties???? that
jkp4evaeva: commerce is clause 3
X: wuts the 3rd one?
jkp4evaeva: of section 8
jkp4evaeva: wait,you're asking why they're powerful yana?
jkp4evaeva: 3. 1st amendment
X: no like what's the point of having them?
jkp4evaeva: so private citizens can advocate for a specific issue that they feel is important
jkp4evaeva: like MADD (mothers against drunk drivers) fighting for tougher DUI laws
X: ok then so what do they do?
X: they lobby for laws to prevent drunk driving
jkp4evaeva: try to convince (lobby) congressman/leaders to be on their side and pass laws
X: 17.According to scholarly evidence, does PAC money buy votes in congress
jkp4evaeva: sketchy, at best
jkp4evaeva: PAC money is OVERATED
jkp4evaeva: as far as buying votes
jkp4evaeva: it buys access
X: for the frq u said u gave us 3 things for the role of interest groups, i don't get it
jkp4evaeva: money gets you meetings
X 90: okk
X 90: thanks
jkp4evaeva: possible FRQ's....1:incumbency 2: House v. senate 3. Why interest groups are powerful 4. divided govt 5. what interest groups do
jkp4evaeva: #5 is that activity you did with partners
X: yea that!!!
izzle4shizzle 90: hey we didnt get an activty
Bballjet34: huh?
Bballjet34: what activity?
QtLS11: with the 26 things?
jkp4evaeva: that sheet in your packet where you put a #1 or #2 next to each tactic
jkp4evaeva: that's as close to an in class activity as I get
izzle4shizzle 90: ohhhh i would call that..a worksheet
X: ok thx Mr.E cya 2morrow
jkp4evaeva: fair enough
jkp4evaeva: by Catie
.
X: whats 3 on the interest groups. list a type of interest group whose rep in Wahsington has skyroketed since 1970
X: institutional
X 90: isnt that public interest?
jkp4evaeva: public interest group
jkp4evaeva: you guys got anything else?
X 90: i think i'm all set thanks elbaum
jkp4evaeva: ok good
X: me too
X: thanks elbs see you tomorrow
X 90: see you in the morning
jkp4evaeva: see you later
X: um 23 oThe federal regulation of lobbying act of 1946 required groups and ind seeking to infleuence
QtLS11: ps i'm coming to glim's party
X: legistlation on what
jkp4evaeva: hang on just got another request
X has entered the room.
jkp4evaeva: register with the federal government and file quarterly reports
jkp4evaeva: JZ, make sense?
X: not quite
jkp4evaeva: that's if you're a PAC, which is if a group has over 1000 dollars in assets
X: i dont understand wut a discharge petition is
jkp4evaeva: interest groups have to register, and tell the govt what they are spending their money on
jkp4evaeva: to make sure there is no bribery going on or anything
X: it like stalls the bill
X: k
jkp4evaeva: jz, does that make sense?
jkp4evaeva: discharge petition gets a bill out of committee
jkp4evaeva: sometimes a committee chairman will let a bill sit in committee and try to stall...if enough congressman/senators want, they can force it out of committee
X: onto the floor?
jkp4evaeva: yes
jkp4evaeva: for debate and maybe to get passed
jkp4evaeva: does that makes sense?
X: yep thank you
jkp4evaeva: I'm not sure who HiInNa is
X: grace.. haha sry
jkp4evaeva: oh hey grace!
X: :]
X: hi
X 90 has entered the room.
jkp4evaeva: i knew you'd be back izzle
X 90: ? 8.The policies of public interest organizations are predominantly shaped by _______
X 90: sorry i just couldnt get enough gov in my life
jkp4evaeva: elites
X: saw that
X: :-)
HiInNa123: To be effective, purposive membership organizations count on what?
jkp4evaeva: what # so everyone can see
X: allowing bills to be debated on open instead of restrictive rules
X: #7 on interest groups
X: why is that
jkp4evaeva: keeping crisis in the spotlight
jkp4evaeva: more atttention=more chance of success
jkp4evaeva: hisham what q
X: idk it was on the qyuz
X: quiz*
X has left the room.
X: it was like for what reason are bulls alowed on open restrictiver rules instwead of closed ones
X 90: oh i wrote that ? from the quiz down .. the answer was "gives greater control to committees"
X: bills*
jkp4evaeva: yep
jkp4evaeva: committees have more power to have influence on the bill
jkp4evaeva: in open rather than closed
X: mmk
jkp4evaeva: dont know that one
jkp4evaeva: mmk
X 90: oh and what is the ways & means committee exactly
X: mmk is like oh k
X: jeez elabum
X: did they not have aim in college
jkp4evaeva: ways and means committee is where tax bills start in the house
jkp4evaeva: one of the most powerful in house
X 90: yea thats what i htought
X 90: but something on the quiz was like "particular party and

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

You (tube) and I discussing Politics

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Democratic Debate


What do you think? Who sounds good? Who is out of their mind? Who gets your vote?

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Presidency and Media Podcast

“All the president is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing, and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway.”
-Harry S. Truman

Click here for Podcast