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Standard and Short Edition:
1 American Political Culture
2 The Founding and the Constitution
3 Federalism
4 Civil Liberties
5 Civil Rights
6 Public Opinion
7 The Media
8 Political Participation and Voting
9 Political Parties
10 Campaigns and Elections
11 Groups and Interests
12 Congress
13 The Presidency
14 Bureaucracy In A Democracy
15 The Federal Courts
16 Government and Economy
17 Social Policy
18 Foreign Policy and Democracy
Texas Edition:
19 The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas
20 The Texas Constitution
21 Parties and Elections in Texas
22 Interest Groups, Lobbying, and Lobbyists
23 The Texas Legislature
24 The Texas Executive Branch
25 The Texas Judiciary
26 Local Government in Texas
27 Public Policy in Texas

Chapter 2: The Founding and the Constitution

You Decide Exercise

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 This exercise relates to Chapter 2’s Policy Debate “A Federal Marriage Amendment?”


  1. Read these articles detailing the specific benefits of marriage: http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Taxes/P48908.asp, http://www.msaclu.org/marriage.html and http://www.religioustolerance.org/mar_bene.htm   


    Based on what you’ve read, list three benefits to being married. Do homosexuals face a financial penalty for not being allowed to marry?



  1. Read this article summarizing the 2006 New Jersey Supreme Court decision:  http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/10/25/gay.marriage/


    Explain the ruling. Why did three judges dissent against the ruling? How would you have ruled?



  1. Watch this clip:


    Copyright © MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. 2007 - All Rights Reserved. Comedy Central is a registered trademark of Comedy Partners.


    What did Bennett mean when he said this debate is over?

  1. Read this report by the Pew Research Center:

    http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=273


    Does the Pew Research Center poll support Bennett’s point? Explain. 

  1. Do you agree with Jon Stewart’s analysis that the debate is over whether being gay is part of human condition or just a random fetish?

  1. How should the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution be applied if some states continue to allow gay marriage?






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