Office of Public Affairs

1. Are there good arguments today in support of continuing to divide Congress into two bodies, a Senate and a House of Representatives? If so, what are they?

2. What contemporary issues do you know about that involve conflict over the fairness of representation in Congress?

3. Why should senators be selected for six years and members of the House of Representatives for only two years? Do you think members of the House of Representatives would more effectively represent their constituents if they could serve longer terms?

Executive Branch:

1. What arguments can you give to support the use of the electoral college to select the president?

Explain why you agree or disagree with these arguments.

2. What qualifications do you think a person should have, beyond those already in the Constitution, in order to be president? Do you think these qualifications should be required by law? Why or why not?

3. Is it still reasonable to have one person serve as the head of the executive branch? Might it be more reasonable to have two people one for domestic and one for foreign policy?

Judicial Branch:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having federal judges appointed, not elected, to serve "during good behavior"?

2. Should the composition of the Supreme Court be reflective of the political, economic, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of our citizenry? Why or why not?

3. What role, if any, should public opinion play in the Supreme Court deciding a controversial issue?

4. It has been argued that the Supreme Court is the least democratic branch of our federal government. What arguments can you give for and against this position?