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| Chapter 13: Domestic Policy |
| Video Exercises |
| Watch the videos below and answer the questions that follow. |
1. The precipitous drop in the stock market, the decline of several mortgage industry giants and financial institutions, and a widespread loss of jobs were key features of the economic landscape in 2008. As a response to the recession, the Bush administration and Congress approved a financial bailout package intended to help the financial industry and spur economic growth.
The following two videos explain the background for the financial crisis, the reasons why the bailout package was needed, and the impact it would have on the American economy. Paul Solman on the Credit Crunch
The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
PBS
September 25, 2008The bailout package passed by Congress represented a significant departure from the “free-market” economic policies that were a hallmark of the Bush administration. It also represented a new level of governmental regulation and involvement in American capitalism. Do you feel that greater governmental regulation of the economy should continue, or would you rather see more “laissez-faire” economic policies in the future? Why? Do you think the government bailout of the financial industry helped mitigate the effects of the economic downturn? Why or why not? |
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| 2. The economic downturn of 2008 also provided material for attacks ads from the two campaigns during the 2008 Presidential election season.
Watch the two videos below and answer the questions that follow. Joe The Plumber
McCain/Palin 2008Sold Us Out
Obama/Biden 2008What criticisms of Obama’s economic policies does the McCain/Palin ad “Joe the Plumber” provide? How does the Obama ad “Sold Us Out” criticize the economic poli-cies of John McCain? Which ad did you find more convincing? Why? |
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| 3. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is a satirical news program hosted by Jon Stewart. The show draws its comedy from recent news stories, satirizing political figures, media organizations, and frequently the show itself and its cast members.
Watch the below video and answer the questions that follow. Recessional Terms
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Comedy Central
First aired March 19, 2008The above video humorously examines how pundits and political figures disagree on when to invoke the term “recession” when discussing an economic downturn. Based upon the discussion of economic policy in your textbook, why do you think this disa-greement exists? Why would a political administration want to avoid the use of the term “recession” when discussing economic policy? |
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4. Health care and medical insurance coverage continues to be a key social issue for Americans and a legislative priority for Congress. Political parties, political action committees, industry groups, and advocacy organizations all have a stake in any legis-lation passed on health care quality and coverage. The following videos represent some of the major voices that have teamed up in the national discussion about health and medical policy issues.
Watch the videos below and answer the questions that follow. Hollywood's leading nonprofit organizations, the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) and the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF), have joined the "Divided We Fail" national movement led by AARP to bring attention to the issues of health care and financial security Celebrity PSA
AARP Media / DividedWeFail.org
2007The American Medical Association and AARP created a joint campaign to spur con-gressional action to preserve Medicare patients' access to health care by stopping Med-icare physician payment cuts and protecting patients against steep increases to their premiums. At It Again
AARP / American Medical Association
2007What concerns were raised in the above videos regarding health care policy? After watching the videos, how would summarize the agendas of the organizations who pro-duced these videos? Did you tend to agree or disagree with these videos? Why or why not? |
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5. Immigration remains an important social policy issue, and while it didn’t receive as much attention as economic policy during the 2008 election season, the two candi-dates for President clearly articulated their views on the topic.
Watch the two videos below and answer the questions that follow. Straight Talk On Immigration
McCain/Palin 2008Blueprint for Change: Immigration
Obama/Biden 2008How are the two candidates’ approaches to immigration similar? How the plans differ-ent? Which immigration policy proposal do you find more compelling? Why? |
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