VHSG: US GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

1. Issues Facing American Government VHSG: US GOVERNMENT & POLITICS Week 13-14 December 5 – December 11

2. Overview of Weeks 13-14 In the book, Chapters 61-70

3. Due Dates

4. Current Lesson DiplomacyLesson 61

5. Diplomacy Vocabulary Diplomacy: the conducting of formal relations between countries Ambassador: the highest-ranking representative of a nation in another nation. A consul represents a foreign government and helps individuals and businesses from his home country in another country. Recognition: one government believes the government of another country is legitimate. France’s recognition of the U.S. during the American Revolution gave the U.S. legitimacy and helped France’s on-going enmity with Great Britain. Diplomatic recognition of Panama by the U.S. helped the U.S. build the Panama Canal. Withholding recognition can be an attempt to put pressure on a rogue government to change its ways. Foreign aid: money or other helpgranted from one country to another. Alliance: a union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially between countries or organizations. The U.S. might ally itself with another country because of a common enemy, then later find itself at odds with its one-time ally.

6. Current Lesson TradeLesson 62

7. Trade Vocabulary Trade: the transfer of the ownership of goods or services, from one country or entity to another, in exchange for money, goods or services. A network that allows trade is called a market. Tariff: tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports. Individual trade agreements: contract with specific countries and with blocs of countries (such as the European Union). Most Favored Nation status: the best trade terms US extends to any nation. NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement, which applies to the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. GATT/WTO: General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Definition: ... The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is the predecessor to the World Trade Organization (WTO). GATT was active under that name from 1947 until 1994, when WTO was founded.

8. Chapter discussionquestions Do imports from China cost jobs for Americans? Is trade with China strengthening the Communist government there, or is it helping China to be more democratic and capitalist? What should be our policy toward Taiwan? What are the ramifications of Mr. Trump’s phone call with Taiwan? Is the U.S. at an economic and political disadvantage by importing so much from China? Are imports from China forcing Chinese workers to endure low pay and poor working conditions, or is trade with China the best hope for improving the conditions for Chinese workers?

9. Current Lesson TerrorismLesson 63

10. Terrorism Key Points

11. Current Lesson The United NationsLesson 64

12. UN Overview The United Nations was founded in 1945, at the close of World War II. It sponsored the Korean and Persian Gulf military actions; it has overseen scientific and humanitarian projects; it sponsors UNICEF and the WHO. NATO is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a mutual defense arrangement that includes the U.S. and most European countries. The main difference between these two organizations is that while UN is an organization that facilitates cooperation among the member states in various spheres, NATO is a military alliance. SEATO was a regional mutual defense treaty for Southeast Asia; the Rio Treaty is a mutual defense treaty for North and South America.The stated goals of the UN: Maintaining worldwide peace and security Developing relations among nations Fostering cooperation between nations in order to solve economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian international problems Providing a forum for bringing countries together to meet the UN's purposes and goals

13. Current Lesson Human RightsLesson 65

14. Human Rights Review Human Rights: Those rights and freedoms that every person deserves. They include life, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of religion and expression, adequate standard of living, freedom of movement, and the right of political self-determination. What policies has the US adopted against countries that did not give their citizens human rights under the law?What were the results? Cuba—non-recognition and an economic boycott; the Communist regime has continued. Soviet Union—recognition and trade and cultural exchanges; the Communist government and its sphere of influence fell; South Africa—engagement with the apartheid government; the government eventually dropped its apartheid policy.

15. Current Lesson Government and the EconomyLesson 66

16. Government & the Economy

17. Current Lesson ImmigrationLesson 67

18. Immigration Overview Immigration has been extremely important issue; we are a nation of immigrants. It involves areas of national security, the economy, respect for the law, and unfairness to those trying to enter legally. A visa (usually tourist, student, or work visa) is an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country. A certain maximum number of immigrants are allowed each year; permanent residents must obtain a green card; family applications are expedited. Immigration poses a risk to national security, increased criminal activity, danger to border patrol, and costs borne by taxpayers be enforced. Mexican workers have a dilemma with the choice of either staying in Mexico and not earning enough or coming to the United States and risking arrest and deportation. If they come to the U.S., they still might not earn very much

19. Current Lesson Health CareLesson 68

20. Health Care Quiz • What two federal government programs started paying for health care costs for some Americans in the 1960s • Federal, state, and local governments pay for what portion of all health care costs in America? • What is Medicare? • What is Medicaid? • What has happened to health care costs since the federal government began to pay a large percentage of those costs? • President Obama proposed and Congress passed what health care legislation in 2010? The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. • How have health insurance premiums changed since Congress passed this legislation? • What is a single-payer health care system? • How do government limits on medical costs affect availability of health care? • What health care changes do you think would benefit American society?

21. Health Care Answers • What two federal government programs started paying for health care costs for some Americans in the 1960s? Medicare and Medicaid (400) • Federal, state, and local governments pay for what portion of all health care costs in America? ~50% • What is Medicare? A government health insurance program for people over 65. • What is Medicaid? A government health insurance program for those with low income or who can not otherwise obtain health insurance. • What has happened to health care costs since the federal government began to pay a large percentage of those costs? They have skyrocketed. • President Obama proposed and Congress passed what health care legislation in 2010? The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. • How have health insurance premiums changed since Congress passed this legislation? They have increased. • What is a single-payer health care system? Socialized medicine, where the government pays the medical bills • How do government limits on medical costs affect availability of health care? If suppliers can not make a profit, they will stop making those services available. • What health care changes do you think would benefit American society? Answers will vary.

22. Current Lesson EducationLesson 69

23. Education Review Horace Mann was an American politician and educational reformer. A Whig devoted to promoting speedy modernization, he served in the Massachusetts State legislature. Born: May 4, 1796, Died: August 2, 1859

24. On June 1, 1925, in Pierce v. Society of Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (268 U.S. 510), the U.S. Supreme Court declared unconstitutional an Oregon law making public school attendance mandatory. In its ruling, the court upheld the right of private schools to exist and for parents to govern their children’s education. • The earliest organized schools in the U.S. were local community schools, funded by local taxes or fees Compulsory attendance laws and state funding of education decreased parental influence. • The Soviet Union launching Sputnik in 1957 prompted the federal government to assume greater control of education? • How much does government currently spend on education in the U.S.? Over $600 billion per year. • The trend in Federal courts has been toward diminishing the rights of parents whose children attend public schools. In 2002, The No Child Left Behind Actgave the federal government more control over public education. • Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states.

25. Current Lesson AbortionLesson 70

26. Abortion Review