The document discusses two discussion questions about features of the US government and democracy. The first question asks about recent developments in states enacting voter ID laws, analyzing the pros and cons of these laws and whether voter fraud is a major issue. The second question asks students to explain which feature of the US government - the written Constitution, checks and balances, separation of powers, or interaction with political actors - is most important for democracy and justify their choice with examples. For both discussions, students are asked to write 200-250 words responding fully to the questions and citing at least two assigned resources.

1. DISCUSSION ONE
Prepare:
Prior to completing this discussion question, review Chapters 9
and 10 in
American Government
and the following articles: “
How Voter ID Laws Are Being Used to Disenfranchise
Minorities and the Poor
,” “
Fraught with Fraud
,” and “
Proof at the Polls
.”
Reflect:
The U.S. has one of the lowest voter turnout rates among
modern democratic political systems. One study ranks the U.S.
120th on a list of 169 nations compared on voter turnout
(Pintor, Gratschew, & Sullivan, 2002). During the last decade,
many initiatives have been undertaken to increase voter
participation, yet concerns about the possibility of election
fraud have also increased. Additionally, some political interests
feel threatened by the increase in turnout among some
traditionally low-turnout ethnic minorities. Several states have
recently passed legislation imposing new registration and
identification requirements. This has sparked debate about
whether these are tactics intended to suppress turnout or to
prevent fraud.
Write:
In your initial post, summarize recent developments in several
states enacting voter ID laws. Analyze and describe the pros and
cons on
both sides

2. of the debate about these laws. Is voter fraud a major problem
for our democracy or are some groups trying to make it harder
for some segments of society to vote? Draw your own
conclusion about the debate over voter ID laws. Justify your
conclusions with facts and persuasive reasoning.
Fully respond to all parts of the question and write your
response in your own words. Your initial post must be 200 to
250 words. Support your position with APA citations from
two
or more of the assigned resources required for this discussion.
Please be sure that you demonstrate understanding of these
resources, integrate them into your argument, and cite them
properly.
DISCUSSION TWO
Prepare:
Prior to beginning your reflection, review all course readings
and videos as required.
Reflect:
The U.S. national government is based on the framework
detailed in the U.S. Constitution. The process that the Founding
Fathers used to map out our national government is fascinating
and illuminating. The Constitution creates a system of checks
and balances and separation of powers that have been focal
points for class discussions. In addition, the Constitution
identifies three main branches for the national government: the
legislative, executive, and judicial, which are tasked,
respectively, with the creation of the legislation to guide the
country, the implementation and execution of that legislation,
and the review of that legislation for constitutionality and
legality. Interacting with the federal government includes a
variety of different actors and political processes such as the
states, political parties, interest groups, and federal elections.
All these features create a vibrant and healthy democracy.

3. Write:
In your initial post of at least 200 to 250 words, explain how
and why one feature of the U.S. government is the most
important for America’s democracy. Choose one feature below
to discuss in detail:
Written, detailed, flexible Constitution.
Robust checks and balances.
Explicit separation of powers.
Expansive interaction by different political actors and processes
with the federal government.
Use real-world examples and details to support your arguments.
Support your position with APA citations from two or more of
the assigned resources required for this discussion. Please be
sure that you demonstrate understanding of these resources,
integrate them into your argument, and cite them properly.