Unit+Questions

__**How is the Texas government a reflection of the U.S. government? **__
 * The Texas government is modeled after the U.S. government, therefore they both share many of the same principles. Such as:
 * 1) popular sovereignty- the people supply power for the government.
 * 2) republicanism- we elect representatives, they do not come into power through hereditary means.
 * 3) limited government- the government has power to an extent. It is not a dictatorship.
 * 4) federalism- No one person runs the entire country/state. There are people who make decisions only on a certain type of topic
 * 5) separation of powers- the government is divided into three branches and equal power is given to each, rather than vesting it all in one person
 * 6) checks and balances- one branch does not have all the say, the other two branches can agree or disagree on decisions.
 * 7) individual rights- the people are guaranteed freedoms, such as: religion and speech.

__**Which principles of government are reflected in the Texas Constitution and how do they influence the government? **__
 * All of the principles of government are reflected in the Texas Constitution. They influence the government by:
 * 1)  giving power to the people
 * 2) allowing us to elect our representatives
 * 3) keeping the government from gaining too much power and becoming ruled by a dictator
 * 4) dividing the government into central powers and their constituents
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">doling power out evenly among three branches
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">giving each branch the same amount respect so one branch's decision is not weighted more heavily than another's
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">giving us freedoms that the government cannot take away

__**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">How do the different levels of government help meet the needs of Texas citizens? **__ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 170%;"> __**How do political parties found in Texas portray the beliefs of Texas citizens?**__ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> __**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">How can citizens of Texas participate in government? **__
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 154%;">The different levels of government (local, state, and national) meet our needs based on how closely they work with us. The national government :
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 132%;">local- works just with a small area. Such as your neighborhood providing rules on the upkeep of your yard, or curfews for how late you can be outside walking.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 132%;">state- works only within the state. Yielding traffic laws like speed limits or whether you can talk on a cell phone while driving.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 132%;">national- works with the entire nation. Imparting laws anywhere from federal income tax payments to patent infringement.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Each political party is unique in its values and goals, the Texas citizens express their beliefs through which parties they choose to support. For example: someone can research a the platform of a certain political party and if they agree with it they may vote for someone from that party.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">To participate in the government, Texas citizens can:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">vote in local, state and national elections
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">attend public hearings for bills
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">write to elected representatives
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">run for an office
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">hold a public office
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">participate in a political discussion
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">try to persuade someone to vote a certain way
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">sign a petition
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">wear a campaign button or put a campaign sticker on their car
 * 10) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">donate money to a party or candidate
 * 11) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">attend meetings to gain information, discuss issues, or lend support
 * 12) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">campaign for a candidate
 * 13) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">lobby for laws that are for special interest
 * 14) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">demonstrate protests through marches, boycotts, sit-ins
 * 15) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">serve on a jury
 * 16) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">serve in the military