POLS 206 1st Edition Lecture 1 Outline I Challenges confronting America II Negative connotations with the government a Media high expectations separation of powers federalism III Positive things in the government a Common defense free education disease control social services IV Government is not perfect but we do need to give them credit for some things V Get involved where government is deficient voting interest groups Lecture 1 Notes I Challenges confronting America a Growing national debt i Increase taxes or revenue Who to tax ii Decrease spending b Partisan bickering c Political scandals i National security ii Private emails d Unemployment rates i 7 5 about 50 higher than it should be e Foreclosures i People owe more money on their homes than what it is worth f Ongoing military obligations i Syria ii Iraq iii Afghanistan g Environmental concerns i Water ii Air iii Climate change h Clearly we have big challenges ahead II Negative connotations with the government a Media poorly portrays odd events Pushes buttons to create a big impact b High expectations of the government there is a huge gap between expectation and reality c Separation of powers president can veto and the court can override that veto This is also known as the process of checking and balancing Gridlock and the maintenance of the status quo d Federalism state laws and national laws are not consistent Example gay marriage differs by state III Positive things in the government a Common defense with armed forces b Free education system and subsidized college education c Centers for disease control bacteria health and vaccines d Social services i Social security and orphanages e US Services i Highways ii Roads iii Fire protection iv Food safety IV Government is not perfect but we do need to give them credit for some things V Get involved where government is deficient voting interest groups