Final Exam American Government - Essay Example

ing abortion, and his wanting to rescind job protection for medical professionals refusing to take part in abortions, may be the driving force pushing more people to the right side of this debate. Explain the “filibuster” and “cloture” as used in the United States Senate. What problems do these two practices create? Provide some recent examples. (American Government and Politics, 2009/2010) Filibuster or the use of unlimited debate as a blocking tactic has been around since 1790. Senate rule 22 invoked Cloture which shuts off discussion on a bill.

In 1979 it was refined to state that a final vote must take place within 100 hours after cloture has been invoked. The problem these two practices create are prolonged debates ending in forced decision making. I am guessing that our deficit issue, with a deadline of August 2nd, is undergoing these very same practices and I can’t help but wonder if the result will be good for the American people. Gerrymandering was named for Governor of Mass. Elbridge Gerry back in 1812. It refers to the practice of reshaping a district in order to benefit a particular candidate.

The original area reshaped was Essex County and when it was done, it looked like a dragon on paper. Painter G. Stuart thought it looked like a dragon and said something about being fit for a salamander and B. Russell, an editor said, “Better say a Gerrymander”, for E. Gerry the Governor. (American Government and Politics, 2009/2010) I think that the biggest consequence of “gerrymandering” would be the manipulation of our voting public. It isn’t fair or ethical to be able to hedge your boundaries one way or another to suit your needs and secure a victory.

Not that politics is particularly fair or ethical, but it is suppose to be. Isn’t it? Social conservatives fight for the preservation of tradition values. They believe that the federal government should have limited involvement in the affairs of citizens and that the states and local