Starters Jonathan Milner Starters Jonathan Milner

What has happened to the average yearly number of anti-LGBTQ hate crimes on K-12 campuses?

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 FBI data above, since the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, in all states how much have average yearly anti-LGBTQ hate crimes increased on K-12 campuses?

  2. According to the FBI data above, since the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, in states with restrictive sports, facilities, and laws how much have average yearly anti-LGBTQ hate crimes increased on K-12 campuses?

  3. FBI data indicate the most common crimes associated with reported hate crimes at schools include simple assault, intimidation and vandalism. What is the big story the data tells about the impact of restrictive sports, facilities, and laws on anti-LGBTQ hate crimes?

  4. It is possible that states that created restrictive sports, facilities, and laws did not know that anti-LGBTQ hate crimes would quadruple. It’s also possible that these states do know that anti-LGBTQ hate crimes have quadruple and don’t plan to do anything about it. It’s also possible that once states realize that their restrictive sports, facilities, and laws lead to an increase of anti-LGBTQ hate crimes, they will change their programs to make them less restrictive. Explain which of the above scenarios is more likely?

  5. Based on the visuals below* what has happened in your state regarding restrictions on LGBTQ education, and trans-students’ access to school sports, and facilities.

  6. How does the data above reflect the experience in your school, district and state?

  7. The Associated Press reports that students and teachers can discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida classrooms, provided it’s not part of instruction, under a settlement reached Monday between Florida education officials and civil rights attorneys who had challenged a state law which critics dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.” Do you think this will cause more states to be wary of passing anti-LGBTQ laws?

  8. How does the data above illustrate the concept of federalism?

  9. “Policy sets the tone for real-world experiences [and] discriminatory policy just creates a hostile environment,” said Amy McGehee, a doctoral student at Oklahoma State University who researches LGBTQ health and well-being. Do you think that in laws and policies can change attitudes and opinions with real-life consequences?

  10. Explain the connection between anti-LGBTQ laws and one of the two following amendments:

    1st Amendment - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

    14th Amendment (part of section 1) - No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

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 probably has a lot of power regarding the laws enacted in your state. Contact your governor and let them know what you think about the laws in your state.

Get Creative

Create the rules that you would like to see exist in your school or district regarding restrictive sports, facilities, and law

Learning Extension

 
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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

How much did the U.S. government spend in FY (fiscal year) 2023?

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 much money did the U.S. federal government bring in (total revenue) in Fiscal Year 2023?

  2. How much money did the U.S. federal government spend in Fiscal Year 2023?

  3. When you spend more than you have this is called a deficit.

  4. What was the U.S. federal government deficit for FY 2023?

  5. The national (federal) government spent $18,406 per person in FY 2023. What was the biggest overall area of spending for the U.S. government?

  6. The amount of spending as shown in the visual above happened during a time of a divided government with a Democratic President, Democratic Senate, and Republican House of Representatives. Imagine if the House had been controlled by Democrats, the same party as the president. What do you think would have happened to the level of spending under a unified (same party in Congress and White House) government.

  7. The budget planning begins a year before the budget is to go into effect. How does the following process illustrate the concept of checks and balances?

    1. Federal agencies create budget requests and submit them to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

    2. OMB refers to the agencies’ requests as it develops the budget proposal for the president.

    3. The president submits the budget proposal to Congress early the next year.

    4. Proposed funding is divided among 12 subcommittees, which hold hearings. Each is responsible for funding for different government functions such as defense spending or energy and water.

    5. The House and Senate create their own budget resolutions, which must be negotiated and merged. Both houses must pass a single version of each funding bill.

    6. Congress sends the approved funding bills to the president to sign or veto.

  8. If we had a unitary system all government taxing and spending would happen only at the national level. But we have a federal system which means that we have taxing and spending at the national, state, and local level. How does this federal system guard against tyranny?

  9. What are some examples of spending that is not included in the federal (national) budget but that are done at the state level?

  10. A student named Jellybean said, “The Framers would be rolling in their graves if they knew how much the government was spending.” After I explained that ghosts don’t roll as much as they float, Jellybean calmed down a bit. In what way is the system that was created by the Constitution responsible for the spending shown above?

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 President Biden at @POTUS and let him know what you think about the budget for FY 2023.

Get Creative

If American government spending were a kind of boyfriend or girlfriend, what would it be?

Learning Extension

 
 

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

How much is a college degree worth?

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. If an American has less than a high school diploma, what is their median weekly earnings?

  2. If an American has a bachelor’s degree, what is their median weekly earnings?

  3. Of all the degrees listed above, which is the highest earning?

  4. Draw a conclusion about the impact of education level on earning?

  5. Money isn’t everything. What are some other advantages that a person receives from extending their education?

  6. Most of high school and college spending is paid for by state government, not the federal government. Explain how education spending illustrates the concept of federalism.

  7. As you think of the people you know in your life, how does the data from the visual above correspond to the actual experiences in your life.

  8. A student named Josh said, “College today is too expensive. There is no reason to go to college. I’m going to be the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs!” Besides the fact that the Chiefs already have a pretty good quarterback, how would you respond to Josh’s claim?

  9. High school attendance did not become commonplace until the 20th century. In 1910, just 14% of Americans aged 25 and older had completed high school! Only 3% had completed college! Today, the government provides a free universal education to all Americans through 12th grade. Based on the data from the visual above, explain whether you believe the government should offer free education through college?

  10. Less than half of American over the age of 25 have a bachelor’s degree. Identify one thing the federal government could do to increase levels of higher educational attainment?

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

To receive financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. You can use Federal Student Aid Estimator to see how much aid may be available to you.

Get Creative

If American educational attainment were a type of automobile, what would it 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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GoPo Lessons Jonathan Milner GoPo Lessons Jonathan Milner

What is the current U.S. federal government deficit?

Current Event Friday

Critical Analysis

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

  1. A deficit occurs when an entity spending exceeds its revenues. What is the current deficit for the U.S. federal government?

  2. What was the U.S. federal government deficit in 2022?

  3. How much bigger is the 2023 U.S. federal government deficit than the 2022 federal deficit?

  4. How many $1.7 billion would you need to have to equal $1.7 trillion?

  5. The U.S. federal government deficit is $1,695,148,300,531. The U.S. federal government has collected $4,439,283,739,921 in fiscal year 2023. So how much has the federal government spent in 2023?

  6. When you add up all the U.S. federal government deficits and subtract the total number of surpluses (when we spend less than we bring in - which almost never happens) then you have the federal debt (see visual explainer below*). The national debt ($33.68 T) is the total amount of outstanding borrowing by the U.S. Federal Government accumulated over the nation’s history. The current U.S. debt is $33,684,219,111,864 which is updated daily from the Debt to the Penny dataset. Why is the debt so high?

  7. American personal debt is also astronomical. In Federalist No. 51, James “Mad Daddy” Madison writes, “But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?” Explain the connection between the voters, their personal deficits, and the U.S. federal government deficit.

  8. The budgetary process is complex and requires long negotiations between the Congress and the President. A president proposes an annual budget, but Congress must approve all spending so a president's power over the budget is never absolute. A number of factors control the deficit. The president has no control over the mandatory budget which includes Social Security and Medicare benefits, and interest on the debt. Who do you blame for this year’s enormous deficit?

  9. Article I, Section 7, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution is known as the Origination Clause because it provides that “All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.” The U.S. House of Representatives elected Mike Johnson (R-LA 4th District) the new Speaker of the House this week. Speaker Johnson is a fiscal conservative meaning that he believes in low taxes, reduced government spending, and minimal government debt. How do you think this new Speaker will impact the budget deficit for the next budget?

  10. The U.S. federal debt is now equal to over $100,000 per citizen. How do you think the U.S. debt will impact your future?

Visual Extension*

Act on your Learning

Contact the White House and let President Joe Biden know what you think he should do about the U.S. deficit.

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)

Learn More

Listen to this short NPR story (below left) about the sad state of the U.S. budget deficit

 

Get Creative

Interview five to ten people (audio, written, or video interviews are all fine) and ask them what they think the debt is. Reveal the actual number and record their reaction. Share a montage of these reactions with your classmates.

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