Starters, History, US Government Jonathan Milner Starters, History, US Government Jonathan Milner

How much does the government spend on education?

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

  1. According to the data from the visual above, in 1980 what total amount of money was spent on education by local, state, and federal government combined?

  2. According to the data from the visual above, in 2020 what total amount of money was spent on education by local, state, and federal government combined?

  3. Describe the change over time in combined government education spending.

  4. Based on the visual below* what level of the government spends the most on education: state or federal?

  5. How does the visual below* illustrate the concept of federalism?

  6. While the total amount of spending on education has gone up, how does the percentage of all government spending on education in 2020 compare to that of 1980?

  7. In 2020, the federal budget was $6.552 trillion. That same year, the federal government spent 157.7 billion on education. Based on the visuals above and below*, and your knowledge of American politics, do you think the federal government should spend more money on education?

  8. Article II, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution enumerates (lists) the powers of the U.S. government. Nowhere in Article II, Section 8 does the federal government have the power to create schools. In fact, there is no right to education in the Bill of Rights and no power to create schools in the Constitution. What landmark Supreme Court case ruled that the Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause at the end of Article II, Section 8 allows the federal government to do things that are not specifically enumerated in Article II, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution?

  9. Amendment X says: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” How does this relate federalism and the ability of states to spend money on education?

  10. Would you prefer that there was a constitutional Amendment guaranteeing equal education to all Americans, or do you think it is better to leave decisions about education to the states?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Your state governor has a lot of power over the level of educational spending where you live. Contact your governor and let them know how you feel about education in your state.

Get Creative

If education spending were a temperature, what would he be?

Learning Extension

 
 
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Starters, US Government Jonathan Milner Starters, US Government Jonathan Milner

Currently, how many Americans die of fentanyl drug overdoses per 100,000 residents?

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

  1. How many Americans die of fentanyl drug overdoses per 100,000 residents?

  2. How many San Franciscans die of fentanyl drug overdoses per 100,000 residents?

  3. Describe how fentanyl drug overdose deaths has changed since 2010.

  4. San Francisco is in the middle of a drug crisis. Overdose deaths reached a record high last year, topping 800. Public drug use is widespread in some neighborhoods. Local policy changes are partly to blame, some experts say. In 2014, California voters passed Prop 47, reducing drug possession to a misdemeanor from a felony. In San Francisco, law enforcement has responded by scaling back efforts against drugs, de-emphasizing incarceration and effectively allowing public drug use. Why do you think San Francisco has such a high rate of death from fentanyl overdoses compared to the rest of the U.S.

  5. According to the data from the visual below* how many Portuguese die of fentanyl drug overdoses per 100,000 residents and how does the fentanyl drug overdose deaths rate in Europe compare to the United States.?

  6. Decriminalization is not full legalization, but it removes criminal penalties for small amounts of drug possession. In 2000, Portugal passed a law that decriminalized all drugs, including heroin and cocaine. But it kept some penalties, like fines and license suspensions, to incentivize people to get addiction treatment and deter outdoor public drug use. Along with decriminalization, Portugal also invested in addiction treatment and created a system that tries to push people to seek help for addiction. “Decriminalization by itself means nothing if you have nothing else to offer,” according to João Goulão, the architect of Portugal’s system. Please note that there are many, many differences between Portugal and the United States. Based on the data below and above, and the experiences of Portugal and San Francisco, if you were the American president would you support the decriminalization of drugs like fentanyl?

  7. Fentanyl is an incredibly potent synthetic opioid. As a pharmaceutical, it’s used safely every day for anesthesia in operating rooms throughout the country, and as a prescribed painkiller. But like heroin and other opioids, it can be highly addictive. Since 2015, fentanyl and other drugs closely related to it have gradually displaced heroin and other opioids in illicit American drug markets, leading to a surge in addiction and overdose deaths. According to the data below* how many Americans died of fentanyl drug overdoses in 2022?

  8. In the 1980s America launched a war on drugs which dramatically increased anti-drug spending and levels of incarceration. Do you think it’s time to launch a new “war on drugs”?

  9. In November of last year, President Biden laid out plans to tackle "every angle" of the fentanyl crisis, calling it an "American tragedy". Many angles, though, involve China and Mexico, which lay beyond US control. Of the following executive powers, outlined in Article II of the U.S. Constitution, which could a president use to fight the fentanyl epidemic?

    The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

    He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

    The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session. he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

  10. How does the issue of fentanyl policy illustrate the concept of federalism?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Tweet Joe Biden @JoeBiden or Contact the White House and let President Joe Biden know what you think he should do about fentanyl.

Or call the White House and tell the President I said hi at phone number:

  • 1-202-456-1414 (Switchboard)

  • 1-202-456-1111 (Comments)

 

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Get Creative

Create a billboard, bumper sticker, slogan, or sticker to fight teen fentanyl use. Share your creation with your classmates and in the comments section below.

Learn More*

 
 
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Starters Jonathan Milner Starters Jonathan Milner

How many Americans receive food stamps?

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

  1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP – commonly known as food stamps (even though there are no actual stamps involved) has been around since 1931. How many Americans received food stamps in 2023?

  2. How many Americans received food stamps in 1980?

  3. Describe the change over time in the number of food stamp recipients in the U.S.

  4. The Great Recession was the sharp decline in economic activity that started in 2007 and lasted several years. It is considered the most significant downturn since the Great Depression in the 1930s. What happened to the number of food stamp recipients after 2007 and why do you think that is?

  5. For a family of four in 2023 to qualify for the program it must earn no more than $2,313 in net monthly income (income after taxes and deductions). currently, 12.5% of the total U.S. population receives SNAP benefits. Some people argue that that number is too high, others, that it is too low. What would you propose as the maximum net monthly income to qualify for this program?

  6. In April 2023, the national average SNAP benefit was $181.72 per person. What would you propose as the average benefit an individual could receive from this program?

  7. Imagine the typical recipient of food stamps (SNAP) then using the data from the visual below, describe the typical SNAP (food stamp) recipient. Explain how the typical SNAP recipient diverges from your preconception of them.

  8. Using the map below, identify the percent of the population of your state that receives SNAP (food stamps).

  9. One component of the recent deal to raise the federal debt limit and cut government spending is additional work requirements for certain people who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP – commonly known as food stamps. Why do you think SNAP recipients were targeted for cuts?

  10. What on earth does any of this have to do with federalism? Pro-tip: think about it.

Learning Extension

Learn more about SNAP benefits from the Pew Research Center then listen to this NPR story: Adding work requirements for food stamps doesn't have desired effect, researchers say.

 
 

Action Extension

Contact your congressional representatives and let them know what you think about the SNAP program.

Visual Extension*

 
 
 
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Jonathan Milner Jonathan Milner

What portion of Americans support legalizing marijuana?

Current Event Friday

Critical Analysis

  1. According to the data from the chart, what portion of Americans currently support the legalization of marijuana?

  2. Describe one trend in the chart regarding support for the legalization of marijuana.

  3. What is the best explanation for that trend?

  4. As you know, The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970 is the federal U.S. drug policy under which the manufacture, importation, possession, use and distribution of certain drugs (including marijuana) is regulated. What Article I power gives congress the constitutional right to pass this law?

  5. As everyone on earth knows, the CSA was signed into law by President Richard Nixon (crook) on October 27, 1970. The addition, deletion or change of controlled substance schedule of a medicine or other chemical may be requested by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or from any other party via petition to the DEA. The DEA implements the CSA and may prosecute violators of these laws at both the domestic and international level. Describe how drug policy is an example of checks and balances.

  6. This week, 57% of voters in Ohio, a Republican leaning state, supported legalizing the use of recreational marijuana for those age 21 and above. As you know, marijuana is now legal, in one way or another, in 39 states. At the same time, according to the CSA marijuana is illegal in the United States. Explain how both these things can be true and how that relates to federalism.

  7. Based on your knowledge of American politics, especially focusing on the legislative process, explain how something supported by over 2/3 of all Americans is illegal.

  8. Current Attorney General Merrick Garland is in charge of enforcing the nation’s laws, including the 1970 federal law outlawing marijuana. Imagine that A.G. Garland was opposed to this anti-drug law. What could the Attorney General do to avoid enforcing the law?

  9. How much do you think political party affiliation impacts opinions on the legalization of drugs and are you surprised that 55% of all Republicans are for legalized marijuana?*

  10. As you may have heard, President Biden is taking executive action to pardon people convicted for simple marijuana possession under federal law or D.C. statute — and will review whether pot should still be classified as a Schedule 1 drug. This will only apply to federal prisoners. Listen to the 3 minute NPR story below and make a claim about whether you agree with Biden’s decision.

 
 

Learning Extension

Watch the documentary below about federal enforcement of marijuana laws in states where marijuana is "legal" then complete the federalism and marijuana worksheet below.

Action Extension

Check out this interactive map of the legality of marijuana in the 50 states. (pro tip: marijuana is illegal according to federal law), then contact your state legislators and tell them what you think about your state drug laws.

Visual Extension

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Starters, GoPo Lessons Jonathan Milner Starters, GoPo Lessons Jonathan Milner

How much money is made on sports betting every year?

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, your big brain, the information provided and any links below:

  1. According to the data from the visual above, what was the gross gaming revenue from legal sports betting in the U.S. in 2019?

  2. According to the data from the visual above, what was the gross gaming revenue from legal sports betting in the U.S. in 2022?

  3. Describe the trend in gross gaming revenue from legal sports betting in the U.S. since 2018.

  4. Following its enactment by Congress in 1992, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), effectively banned sports betting everywhere except for Nevada (and three other states that had certain betting games grandfathered in). What section of the U.S. Constitution allows the federal government to make laws?

  5. What portion of the Constitution makes PASPA (or any federal law) more powerful than a state law?

  6. In 2012, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed a law allowing betting on professional and amateur sports at New Jersey casinos and racetracks, after which all major sports leagues had sued Christie for violating the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The lawsuit resulted in a long legal battle, which culminated in the Supreme Court’s decision in 2018 in Murphy v. NCAA to strike down PASPA. What happened to gross gaming revenue from legal sports betting in the U.S. after 2018?

  7. The ruling in Murphy v. NCAA (2018) would also allow Congress to regulate sports gambling directly if it so chooses – however, there is no indication Congress intends to do that in the near future. To quote the Majority opinion, “Congress can regulate sports gambling directly, but if it elects not to do so, each State is free to act on its own.” What principal of American government does this scenario illustrate?

  8. So far, states are beginning to make legislation regarding legal sports gambling. According to the visual below*, what is the status of sports gambling in your state?

  9. Now that the court has ruled that states may legalize sports gambling, what political methods might individuals or groups use to try to convince states to legalize gambling?

  10. According to the American Gaming Association, Americans wagered an estimated $4.76 billion on the Super Bowl in 2018.1 Yet, Americans only wagered 3% of that amount, legally, in Nevada. A Libertarian might argue that gambling should be legal and that people should be allowed to do anything to themselves that they want, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else. Others would argue that the government has an interest in protecting its people and should stop them from actions like gambling that can hurt themselves. Make a claim about whether governments should legalize things like gambling that people do anyway?

Learning Extension

Extra! Extra! Learn all about legal sports betting in the U.S!

Action Extension

Share the status of sports gambling in your state with your classmates and try to convince them of your claim about whether gambling should be legal.

Visual Extension*

Infographic: The State(s) of Sports Betting in the U.S. | Statista You will find more infographics at Statista

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GoPo Lessons, US Government Jonathan Milner GoPo Lessons, US Government Jonathan Milner

What is the national minimum driving age?

Critical Analysis

  1. According to the data in the map, what is the minimum driving age in your state?

  2. According to the data in the map, what is the national minimum driving age?

  3. Why don't we have a national minimum driving age?

  4. There were two main factions or groups at the National Constitutional Convention. The Federalists supported the ratification of the Constitution which created a strong national government. The Anti-Federalists were opposed to the ratification of the Constitution because they were wary of a tyrannical central government which they worried would infringe on individual liberties. They preferred for power to be concentrated at the state level. What do you imagine the typical Anti-Federalist would say about whether we should have a national driver’s age? (I know, I know, they are all dead, you’ve never met an Anti-Federalist, use your imagination!)

  5. Explain whether you believe the U.S. of A. should have a national minimum driving age?

  6. How do you think the US compares to the rest of the world in terms of driving age?*

  7. Federalism is a division of powers between a national government and sub-national (state and local) governments. Explain how this map illustrates the concept of federalism.

  8. Imagine that the Constitution had not been ratified - ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! and we were still ruled by the Articles Of Confederation! How would that change the national discussion of things like driving age, speed limits, and marijuana legalization?

  9. There is a long story of the American political system trying to balance the power of the states and the national government. Explain whether in your lifetime the U.S. has moved towards or away from a more powerful federal government, relative to the states. Give two examples to support your claim.

  10. Imagine that Joseph Biden wanted to change the minimum national driving age, list the steps necessary to make a new national driving age a reality.

Learning Extension

States with strict graduated drivers licenses see up to 30% fewer crashes. Read this short report on three Senators who are trying to create a standard national graduated drivers license.

Action Extension

Contact your U.S. Senator and let them know what you think about a national graduated drivers license (GDL).

Visual Extension

ggg.jpg
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GoPo Lessons Jonathan Milner GoPo Lessons Jonathan Milner

How many U.S. states have legalized marijuana for medical use only?

Critical Analysis

  1. According to the data from the map above, how many American states have legalized marijuana for medical use only?

  2. how many American states have legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use?

  3. Describe one geographical pattern regarding marijuana’s legality.

  4. Describe the legality of marijuana in your state based on state law.

  5. As you know, The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970 is the federal U.S. drug policy under which the manufacture, importation, possession, use and distribution of certain drugs (including marijuana) is regulated. Describe the legality of marijuana in your state based on federal law.

  6. What Article I power gives congress the constitutional right to pass The Controlled Substances Act (CSA)?

  7. As everyone on earth knows, the CSA was signed into law by President Richard Nixon (crook) on October 27, 1970. The addition, deletion or change of controlled substance schedule of a medicine or other chemical may be requested by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or from any other party via petition to the DEA. The DEA implements the CSA and may prosecute violators of these laws at both the domestic and international level. Describe how drug policy making as described above is an example of checks and balances.

  8. As you know, marijuana is legal for adults in 22 states and Washington, DC. Medical marijuana is legal in 38 states and DC. At the same time, according to The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970 marijuana is illegal in the United States and is classified as a Schedule 1 drug, the highest level of control, along with LSD, heroin and ecstasy. Federalism is the division of powers between national and state governments. Explain how marijuana can both be legal and illegal at the same time.

  9. Based on your knowledge of American politics, especially focusing on the legislative process, explain how something that 88% of all Americans think should be legal, is illegal.

  10. Prosecutorial discretion (PD) is the longstanding authority of an agency charged with enforcing the law to decide where to focus its resources and whether or how to enforce the law against an individual. PD is an indispensable aspect of any functioning legal system. PD is exercised on a case-by-case basis. Current Attorney General Merrick Garland is in charge of enforcing the nation’s laws, including the 1970 federal law outlawing marijuana. Imagine that A.G. Garland was opposed to this anti-drug law. Explain what an Attorney General can do to avoid enforcing a law.

 
 

Learning Extension

Watch the documentary below about federal enforcement of marijuana laws in states where marijuana is "legal" then complete the federalism and marijuana worksheet below.

Action Extension

Check out this interactive map of the legality of marijuana in the 50 states. (pro tip: marijuana is illegal according to federal law), then contact your state legislators and tell them what you think about your state drug laws.

Visual Extension

 
 
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