POL 1101 Final: Wilson.13th ed. chs13, 14, 16 (1)
14 Dec 2017
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The only fault with the mechanism is that it is not perfect enough. In the minds of the framers of the constitution, the bicameral (two-chamber) congress was the first branch. Longest and most detailed part of the constitution (article 1, p a4 to a8. ) Congress essential for maintaining federalism: 2 senators from each state. Power to determine the structure and appellate jursdiction of the federal judiciary. Power to impeach and remove the president and judges from office. See box on page 328 for the powers of congress. Many americans and experts think that congress is the broken branch: unable to address pressing problems, too responsive to special interests, corrupt. Fenno paradox: americans hate congress but love their congressman. High reelection rate of incumbents; high number of incumbents in. Since 1990s congress has become extremely polarized along partisan and ideological lines. Almost all liberals are democrats and conservatives are republicans.
