Internet Exercises

1. As mentioned in this chapter, the National Council of Senior Citizens (http://www.ncscinc.org/) is an interest group with a liberal Democratic orientation. During the 2000 Presidential campaign, the NCSC endorsed Al Gore for President. To understand why, go to the NCSC's website, link to Press and Speeches, and select "NCSC Endorses Al Gore for President (October 2000)." Answer the following questions:

1. Why did the NCSC endorse Gore?
2. Why did the NCSC describe the 2000 election as the "most significant crossroads for America's seniors in many years"?
3. How did Presidential candidates Al Gore and George Bush differ in terms of their stance on seniors' income and health security?
4. What would be the impact of Bush's privatization plan for the Social Security program?

 

2. The Gray Panthers (http://www.graypanthers.org/) is a group of activists dedicated to working for elders' social and economic interests. Go to the Panthers' website and link to Campaigns to answer the following questions.

1. What is the Panthers' stance on the Medicare Program?
2. Summarize at least three of the seven principles that the Gray Panthers assert must guide Medicare reform.
3. After reading the Jobs Position Statement, explain what MAI means.
4. Do the Gray Panthers think the Social Security program is in crisis? Explain.
5. What is the Gray Panthers' three-part proposal for strengthening the Social Security program?

 

3. The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is dedicated to preserving and strengthening the foundations of freedom, including government, private enterprise, vital cultural and political institutions, and a strong foreign and national defense. Founded in 1943 and located in Washington, D.C., AEI is one of American's largest and most respected "think tanks." To read an interesting article on the gender gap and voting patterns, go to the AEI site (http://www.aei.org/ra/rabowm0101.htm) and read the article. Then answer the following questions:

1. According to the author, why do we pay more attention to the female side of the gender gap than to male side, in regard to American politics?
2. What is the most important issue that contributes to the differences we see in male and female voting patterns? What did results of the survey show?
3. Why does the author think that the gender gap in voting patterns will continue?
4. What does the author mean when she says that the family gap is bigger than the gender gap?

4. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) (http://www.ncpssm.org) was founded in 1982 to serve as an advocate for federal programs and for all Americans seeking a healthy and secure retirement. Go to the site and click on "About NCPSSM." Read the article, and then answer the following questions:

1. Is this group the first or second largest grassroots citizens' organization?
2. What are the goals of the NCPSSM?
3. Do you think this is a good organization or not? Explain.