The AP US Government and Politics Thread

<p>What are key pieces of legislation one should know?</p>

<p>Would the test have something specific like the Motor Voter Act?</p>

<p>Motor Voter Act is definitely a possibility</p>

<p>IdFactor, yes it could. One of the essays from an actual CollegeBoard exam asked about specific acts such as the Clean Air Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and something else that I forget.</p>

<p>Difference between: Independent Executive Agencies, Independent Regulartory Commisions, and Government Corporations? All part of the bureaucracy, but I have no idea the difference between these three.</p>

<p>manatee, I posted your question on CBS 2 School because I wanted to know as well. I’ll let you know when I get a response.</p>

<p>Here’s some info from my review site:</p>

<p>"There are currently 14 cabinet departments. Sometimes political scientists divide these departments into an inner cabinet and an outer cabinet. Examples of the former include the department of state, treasury, justice, and defense. These are the oldest and most important cabinets since they play an essential role in the day to day functions of the government.</p>

<p>On the other hand, some of the other cabinets were formed primarily to cater to the needs of various constituencies, such as the departments of agriculture, labor, housing and urban development, and veteran’s affairs.</p>

<p>Besides cabinet departments there are independent regulatory agencies, which include agencies that regulate some sector of the economy or type of economic activity, such as the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Reserve Board. Those agencies that deal with foreign policy, such as the CIA and Peace Corps. And third, those agencies that provide funding for certain activities, such as the National Science Foundation and the Small Business Administration.</p>

<p>Finally, there are government corporations. This type of bureaucratic organization is organized similar to a private corporation, except that it lacks stockholders and is not subject to taxes. These corporations charge fees for their services; examples include Amtrak, the Postal Service, and the FDIC."</p>

<p>^ its 15 cabinet departments now.
can anyone explain the significance if Budget and Impoundment act?</p>

<p>Okay, here’s the response I got:</p>

<p>Independent Executive Agency: These organizations oversee some part of the executive branch, but lie outside any of the cabinet departments. Examples: CIA, NASA, NSF, EPA.</p>

<p>Independent Regulatory Agency: These organizations are formed by the legislature and have federally-mandated power to form and enforce their own regulations. Examples: FCC, FAA, FDA.</p>

<p>Government Corporation: These organizations undertake commercial activities on behalf of the government. You’ve been seeing a lot of these in the news lately. Examples: TVA, PBS, Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, AIG, GM, and the USPS.</p>

<p>ahh less than 12 hours till test time! (for us on the east coast at least)</p>

<p>good luck everyone!</p>

<p>Does anyone know which articles of the constitution we need to know?</p>

<p>What is the difference between a mandate and an executive order?</p>

<p>Chat room is up and running with a few of us in it if anyone is interested</p>

<p>What chat room?</p>

<p>Posted it a while back, AIM chat room we are reviewing and such, its called CDAPGOVREVIEW</p>

<p>What are independent expenditures, 527s, soft money and the relationships between them?</p>

<p>For the articles know I, II, III and what do they refer to.</p>

<p>This video is pretty helpful for Economic Policy:</p>

<p>[YouTube</a> - AP Government: Economic Policy/Seven Different Levels](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LVp0bBoDE4]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LVp0bBoDE4)</p>

<p>it’s gonna be so easy</p>

<p>soft money
Campaign contributions that get around laws setting maximum campaign contributions because they’re given to political parties and party committees to fund general party activities, instead of to a specific candidate. The party can then use this money in a way that helps its candidates.</p>