QUESTIONS ABOUT THE U.S GOVERMENT

1.      What is the Electoral College In U.S. Elections?

The Electoral College in the U.S election is the institution that is made up by 538 electors, who cast votes to decide the president and the Vice president in the United states. They are elected by "electors" where the candidate who wins the most popular votes in a state wins all of that state's electoral votes. Every four years, voters go to the polls and select a candidate for President and Vice-President. In all but two states, the candidate who wins the majority of votes in a state wins that state's electoral votes.

The candidate who receives the majority of the votes, which is 270, wins the presidency. The number 538 is the sum of the nation's 435 Representatives, 100 Senators, and 3 electors given to the District of Columbia.

Electoral College map showing the result of the 2012 U.S presidential election

2.    What is an inauguration? Mentions some points Obama had in his inauguration speech

 An inauguration is a ceremony that marks the beginning of a major public leader's term of office. The leader usually gives a speech during this ceremony which informs the people of his/her intentions as a leader. I read Obama’s inauguration speech and he mention some of the biggest challenges for this second term as president, I found some essential quotes from his speech, where he talks about gay rights and anti-discrimination, immigration, equal pay for woman, gun control and climate change. I included my favorite quote about gay rights from this inauguration speech.

Gay rights and anti-discrimination :
“ Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well” -Obama

 

Obama under his inauguration speech for equality

3.      What does “democracy is the right to dissent mean?

“Democracy is the right to dissent” means that we have the right to speak our minds, communicate our opinions and ideas, and write and publish what we think. Free speech is one of three related rights that is protected by the first Amendement.

4.      A swing state, what is it?  

A swing state is a state where no single candidate/party has overwhelming support in securing that states electoral votes. Swing states are usually targets of both major political parties in the election, since winning these swing states is a great opportunity to gain votes.

5.      What is a caucus and how do they pick a candidate for the president election?

 A caucus is a meeting of members of a specific political party or movement.  How they pick a candidate for the president election is up to the political parties. Most parties hold conventions (large meeting attended by delegates) The delegates are chosen by the state caucus and some are selected by state “primary” elections. To win the party’s nomination, a majority of delegate votes is needed.

6.      What is government 2.0? 

Government 2.0 is the use of technology to encourage a more open, transparent and engaging form of government, where the public has a greater role in forming policy.

SOURCES:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/21/inaugural-address-president-barack-obama

http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/about.html

http://www.history.com/topics/electoral-college