Government and Politics

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What are the three powers given to the federal government?

Congress has the power to declare war and make laws, among other authorities. The president, together with specific agencies and departments, holds executive power. The White House and Federal Agencies are part of the executive branch. The Supreme Court, the court support organizations, the Special Courts and the Lower Courts hold the judicial powers. Examples of the Lower Courts are U.S. Court of Appeals and U.S. Bankruptcy Courts. The U.S. Tax Court and U.S. Court of Federal Claims are examples of the Special Courts.

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What is bureaucratic discretion?

Bureaucrats are charged with implementing laws passed by Congress. They are given guidelines to do so, but in instances when those guidelines are not clear, the bureaucrat may use his discretion. The enforcement of tax law provides an example of bureaucratic discretion. Congress may pass laws on taxes, but it is the IRS and its agents who determine the actual implementation and enforcement of the law. In an audit, an IRS agent determines the legitimacy of a taxpayer's deductions.

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What is the length of the U.S. president's term?

The rules behind how many terms a president should be allowed to serve was heavily debated as the Constitution was written. It was decided that if the president was to serve an additional term, he or she must be re-elected, and not simply appointed by legislature.The number of terms a president should be allowed to serve was also debated, but it was decided that only allowing presidents to serve one term may result in not having the best person for the job.

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How can I find out if a person has been deported?

On April 1, 1944, the Immigration and Naturalization Service began keeping all paperwork related to a specific alien in single files called Alien Files, states USCIS. To get information about a deportation that occurred after 1944, a USCIS Freedom of Information Act request, or FOIA, is submitted to USCIS. The subject must have been born less than a hundred years ago and proof of death must be provided. The agency then supplies an Alien File number, and this may be used to request the file from the USCIS Genealogy Program, the FOIA program or the National Archives.\nFor information on the stat..

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How long does a government shutdown last?

When Congress comes to an impasse regarding budgets and expenditures, or if the president vetoes such a bill presented to him by Congress, the government must, by law, shut down until an agreement is reached. This is because, in order for the government to spend tax money, there must first be legislation that dictates its allocation.

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What was the main purpose of the Iroquois constitution?

The Iroquois constitution was based on the principles of peace, power and righteousness. It laid out a system of government and a method of electing representatives to its Long House Council surprisingly similar to the United States governmental system today. For instance, the Council is divided into Younger Brother and Elder Brother meetings, an instance of a bicameral legislature. Because trade and treaties with the Native Americans were critical to the success of the American colonies, the Iroquois constitution and related documents were translated into English and distributed throughout th..

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Who are some former governors of Colorado?

Routt became Colorado's territorial governor in 1875 and was elected as the first state governor in 1876 after Colorado became America's 38th state. Route served until 1879 and returned for one term from 1891 to 1893.\nMcNichols served as Colorado's governor from 1957 to 1963. He served a two-year term before he was elected to the first four-year term after the state constitution was amended in 1957, a change that officially took effect in 1959. He previously served in the state Senate and as lieutenant governor.\nLamm was the first Colorado governor to serve three four-year ter..

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How can I communicate with Pinellas County Jail inmates?

Incoming mail for inmates is opened and searched for contraband before being delivered to the recipient. Legal mail that is protected by privacy laws is opened in the presence of the inmate for verification that it is mail that qualifies for the exemption. Books, magazine and newspapers are accepted only if they come directly from the publisher rather than from an individual. All magazines, newspapers and books must come directly from the publisher. All incoming mail must contain the name, identification (docket) number and housing assignment of the inmate in the first line of the address. Ben..

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How do you contest election results?

In general, voting officials determine if a certain vote meets the criteria necessary for a recount. In some states, recounts are automatically performed if the vote differential falls under a particular percentage-based limit; in Alabama, for example, if the difference between the winner's votes and loser's votes is less than 0.5 percent, the ballots are automatically recounted.\nIn other situations, someone might have to request a recount. The losing candidate, in particular, is general charged with filing a request for a recount. However, party officials might be able to make a re..

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What are some ways to receive medical care assistance in Minnesota?

Medical Assistance provides health care benefits for people with very low incomes. Residents print applications from the Minnesota Department of Human Services website or get one at a county DHS office. Applicants must provide proof of income and are re-evaluated for eligibility every six months. It can take up to 45 days to determine eligibility for most applicants.\nMinnesotaCare is for working residents without insurance. Applications are available through the agency website, at county DHS offices, and from some schools and medical offices. Residents can also request an application by phone..

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