bellwork

Bellwork Take out a piece of paper.

We are drawing a chart today.

Turn the page to landscape mode (length-wise). At the bottom, write 0,10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100.

These #'s will represent the American people by wealth. Now, draw a bar

representing their wealth in dollar bills.

Today’s Agenda

Any Announcements?

Any Questions?

Let's Review our Bellwork....Now...

Let’s Begin Today’s Lesson…..

Our Standards Today

Today's State Standard

GC.27 Analyze appropriate textual evidence to evaluate the roles of polls and campaign advertising, and examine the controversies over campaign funding. (P)

Money? Who has it?

Lets review our bellwork.

http://www.aflcio.org/Corporate-Watch/Paywatch-2014/100-Highest-Paid-CEOs

Video Time

Our objectives todayExplain the issues raised by campaign spending.

Describe the various sources of funding for campaign spending.

Examine federal laws that regulate campaign financing.

Outline the role of the Federal Election Commission in enforcing campaign finance laws.

Elections“The best argument against democracy is a five-

minute conversation with the average voter.” ― Winston Churchill

“Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” ― Abraham Lincoln

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt

Campaign Spending

Money for Something….

http://time.com/3532419/ballot-measures-corporations/

Some Videos to Explain

Video #1 – A video from the Federal Election Commission explaining the Federal Election Commission

What did we know now?

What do we know now about the Federal Election Commission?

Did you see the words Corporations and Contribution Limits in that video? Hmm....

Citizens United vs FEC

Is a corporation a person? What do you think?

Does the First Amendment of Free Speech apply to Exxon? Walmart? Insurance Companies?

What is Citizens United vs FEC???

Another Video...

How did Citizens United vs FEC happen?

Citizens United vs FEC

How did it happen? What do you think? Why? Do you think the Supreme Court ruled correctly? Why or why not?

Another Video....

Does this person have an opinion on Citizens United vs FEC?

What was her opinion?

How does her opinion compare to your? Do you see errors in her arguments or does some of her arguments ring true with your thoughts on the topic?

What is Citizens United vs FEC?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/politics/22scotus.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Campaign Financing

Sources of Funding:

a) Private Contributions

b) Public Treasury

Contributions

Small contributors, Wealthy individuals, Candidates, PACs, Temporary Organizations and Public Funds

Federal Laws

They have changed since this textbook was printed. Haven't they???

Remember the boring FEC video? The year 1907? That year it became unlawful for any corporation or national bank to contribute any money to anyone running for a federal office.

Four Laws – Do they even apply now?

1971 – Federal Election Campaign Act

1974 and 1976 – Amendments to FECA

2002 – Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

Remember, these are only for FEDERAL races (President, US Senate, US House)

Each State Makes their Own Laws

Remember, per the 10th Amendment in the Bill of Rights, States have total control over their state and local elections.

Federal Election Commission

Four areas of enforcement:

1) Requires timely disclosure of campaign finance data. How much? Who gave it to you?

2) Places limits on contributions? What are the current limits?

http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/contriblimits.shtml

Federal Election Commission

3) Place limits on campaign expenditures.

Is there a limit now? http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/fecfeca.shtml#Independent_Expenditures

4) Provide public funding for several parts of the presidential election process. You check a box to give or not give $3.00 to this fund when you vote.

http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/pubfund.shtml#anchor686308

Obama and Romney turned down the money

Here is Why

http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/pubfund.shtml#General

Would you want to limit yourself to spending $20 million if you can spend $600 million?

Our objectives todayExplain the issues raised by campaign spending.

Describe the various sources of funding for campaign spending.

Examine federal laws that regulate campaign financing.

Outline the role of the Federal Election Commission in enforcing campaign finance laws.

What Did We Learn Today?On a separate sheet of paper, answer these questions for

me to take up and review.

Assessment Questions

What are political action committees (PACs)?

How do hard money and soft money differ? Compare and explain.

Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement: “Democracy would be best served if campaigns were entirely supported by the small contributions of millions of American voters”.