2006 AP U.S.

Government and Politics Free-Response Questions Question 1 A) The fundamental goal of interest groups is to: - influence public policy - influence Congress/government - change laws B) The fundamental goal of major political parties in the political process is to: - elect people to office - gain control of government C) The two different ways by which interest groups support the fundamental goal of political parties in the political process: - endorsement/recruitment of candidates - monetary contributions/PAC donations D) By interest groups donating their money to a candidate, they have access to policymakers (also, influence on them). Also, having like-minding people/policy advocates in the office is also an advantage. Question 2 A) Entitlement programs are government-sponsored programs providing mandated/guaranteed/required benefits to those who meet eligibility requirements and qualifications. B) The primary source for Social Security is payroll taxes. - income taxes - targeted/earmarked taxes C) One threat to the future of Social Security program is that it might run out of money. - outputs exceed inputs - declining reserve

D) One demographic trend that threatens the future of the Social Security program is more older people; the number of workers who fund Social Security is decreasing, but the number of people eligible for Social Security is increasing. - people living longer/greater life expectancy; the number of working people cannot support the large population who will soon reach the age of eligibility to receive Social Security. - declining birth rates; the ration of workers to retirees is becoming more unequal. With fewer workers, less money is being paid in, and with more retirees, more money is being paid out. E) If there was a raise of age for eligibility for Social Security, then there would be more workers per retiree. Question 3 A) Two reasons why Congress gives federal agencies policy-making discretion in executing federal laws are that it is more efficient that way and that it is easier to come to agreement. - time-consuming - Congress does not want to be blamed for bad policy - Congress lacks expertise/agencies have expertise B) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); clean air and water Federal Communications Commission (FCC); TV, radio, satellite, and telephone Federal Reserve Board; monetary policy C) Two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent are oversight and hearings. - budget/appropriations - investigations - Government Accountability Office (GAO) - change law - legislative veto - casework

- create new agencies/dissolve agencies Question 4 A) Two reasons why the framers created a bicameral legislature are that it slows down the process and that it has different types of representation/federalism. - compromise at Constitutional Convention - compromise among competing interests/protect minority interests - an intrabranch check/prevent majority tyranny B) One power unique to the House of Representatives is to initiate revenue bills (or choose the president when the electoral college is deadlocked/impeachment) because they are closer to the people (and more representative of and responsive to the public/direct election of two-year terms) C) One power unique to the Senate is treaty ratification (or confirmation of judicial and executive appointments/try impeachments/conviction/removal from office) because they are a more mature body (or they reflect state interests/longer terms/more insulated from public opinion).