Our Government Flashcards
flax tax
fixed percentage for goods and services
proportional tax
tax based on income made
progressive tax
income increases- tax increases
regressive tax
a tax everyone pays regardless of income
income tax
tax based on how much money is made
property tax
taxes on private property or homes
used to fund local projects and expenses like schools
sales tax
tax on a good or service
capital gains taxes
taxes on profits gained by bonds, property, stocks, assets
separation of powers
separates power of gov into the three branches
checks and balances
each branch can limit the other branches from becoming too powerful
proportional representation
representation based on population
Great Compromise
made Congress bicameral: two forms of legislature
- senate: each state has 2 reps
- house of representatives: # of reps depends on
elastic clause
gives Congress implied power to create laws and have flexibility with a changing country
commerce clause
regulates interstate commerce
President pro Tempre
most senior member of the majority part leading in Senate
Speaker of the House
leads the House of Reps
veto
President can reject laws passed by congress
judicial review
determine if a law is constitutional
representative democracy
people can elect reps that will fight for the needs of the state
primary
determines which candidates will represent each party (democrats or republicans)
electoral college
elcects the presidents
electors
those that cast final vote to choose next president
amount of electoral votes depends on # of reps in Senate and house of reps
issues with electoral college
president is not elected based on the popular people vote
swing states: those that switch between democrats and republicans every election
states with smaller population will have more influential votes
how are amendments passed?
2/3 of Congress approves + 3/4 of states legislatures agree
or
2/3 states make a Constitutional Convention + 3/4 of state legislatures ratify the amendment
how are amendments passed?
2/3 of Congress approves + 3/4 of states legislatures agree
or
2/3 states make a Constitutional Convention + 3/4 of state legislatures ratify the amendment
lobbying
when interest groups try to persuade lawmakers to favor their interests
political action committees (PACs)
raise money to support a candidate who will support their agendas
political action committees (PACs)
raise money to support a candidate who will support their agendas
super PACs
no limit to money given to presidential candidates
Gov in colonial period
British crown
royal governor: chosen by the crown, oversaw trade, final approval of laws
council: appointed by the governor, the highest court
council assembly: elected by colonists, made laws, could tax, paid governor’s salary
House of burgesses
first representative democratic gov in colonies
Regulator Movement
regulators were farmers and merchants who were against the tyrannical taxation from the crown
Preamble
says the purpose of the constitution and what they hope to accomplish
Marbury v Madison
judicial review: a law can be considered unconstitutional
Marbury v Madison
judicial review: a law can be considered unconstitutional
McCulloch v Maryland
Congress has implied powers
Dred Scot v Sanford
African slaves are not US citizens
Congress cant prohibit slavery
slaves cant sue in court
Plessy v Ferguson
segregation
Brown v Board of Education
no segregation in public schools
