In Zelman v.v. Simmons-Harris in 2002, the Supreme Court ruled school voucher programs are constitutional so long as

In Zelman v.v. Simmons-Harris in 2002, the Supreme Court ruled school voucher programs are constitutional so long as

a. there is true private choice.
b. school officials are supportive of applicants.
c. students are not segregated on the basis of gender.
d. teachers are educated in secular colleges and universities.
e. textbooks are purchased by private/ individual funds.

Answer: A

Charles Murray argued that social welfare programs

Charles Murray argued that social welfare programs

a. were unconstitutional.
b. made going on welfare more attractive than to look for a job.
c. were generally successful in lifting people out of poverty.
d. discouraged women from having children without being married.
e. were economically sound but a low priority.

Answer: B

The big debate in 1935 and 1965 over Social Security and Medicare was over

The big debate in 1935 and 1965 over Social Security and Medicare was over

a. whether the public wanted them.
b. whether they were too costly.
c. whether they constituted unnecessary duplication.
d. whether they were needed.
e. whether it was legitimate for government to provide them.

Answer: E

Programs such as Social Security and Medicare are the product of

Programs such as Social Security and Medicare are the product of

a. client politics.
b. association politics.
c. majoritarian politics.
d. interest-group politics.
e. entrepreneurial politics.

Answer: C

Under TANF, welfare caseloads nationally have

Under TANF, welfare caseloads nationally have

a. decreased significantly.
b. decreased slightly.
c. remained about the same as they were under AFDC.
d. increased slightly from the days of AFDC.
e. increased significantly from the days of AFDC.

Answer: A

Which statement accurately describes the ultimate fate of AFDC?

Which statement accurately describes the ultimate fate of AFDC?

a. It was reformed in 1996 but is scheduled to expire in 2008.
b. It was abolished in 1996 and replaced by a block grant program, TANF.
c. It was restructured in a manner that eliminated fraud and increased federal control.
d. It was supported by so many special interests there was no hope of significant change.
e. Congress incorporated the program under three categorical grants.

Answer: B

By 1994, about _________ of AFDC mothers had been on it for eight years or longer.

By 1994, about _________ of AFDC mothers had been on it for eight years or longer.

a. one-eighth
b. one-fourth
c. one-third
d. one-half
e. two-thirds

Answer: E

Over the years, AFDC recipients were eligible for what new program?

Over the years, AFDC recipients were eligible for what new program?

a. Medicare
b. Earned Income Tax Credit
c. Unemployment compensation
d. Private School Voucher Program
e. Workman's compensation

Answer: B

Although AFDC involved giving federal aid to existing state programs, Washington insisted that states

Although AFDC involved giving federal aid to existing state programs, Washington insisted that states

a. use a federal calculation for applicants' incomes.
b. establish mandatory job-training programs for many recipients.
c. provide child-care programs for working AFDC parents.
d. identify the fathers of the children of recipients.
e. all of the above.

Answer: E

Which of the following is not a problem under Medicare?

Which of the following is not a problem under Medicare?

a. Some doctors charge the government for their services.
b. A lot of people use medical services when they really do not need them.
c. There is fraud and abuse.
d. Old people are not generally considered to be "deserving" recipients.
e. Doctors and hospitals are paid on the basis of a government-approved payment plan.

Answer: D

Which of the following options for rescuing Social Security is especially popular with younger voters?

Which of the following options for rescuing Social Security is especially popular with younger voters?

a. the retirement age be raised to eighty-five.
b. retirement benefits be increased.
c. Social Security taxes be lowered.
d. the program be privatized.
e. citizens be allowed to invest some portion of Social Security taxes in mutual funds.

Answer: E

A national advisory commission examined the Social Security crisis and proposed to President Clinton that

A national advisory commission examined the Social Security crisis and proposed to President Clinton that

a. the retirement age be raised to eighty-five.
b. retirement benefits be increased.
c. Social Security taxes be lowered.
d. the program be privatized.
e. citizens be allowed to invest some portion of Social Security taxes in mutual funds.

Answer: E

Currently workers pay about ____ percent of their wages to Social Security payroll taxes.

Currently workers pay about ____ percent of their wages to Social Security payroll taxes.

a. 3.5
b. 4.7
c. 5.8
d. 6.2
e. 6.7

Answer: D

Under existing law, persons born after 1959 can receive full or partial Social Security benefits when they turn

Under existing law, persons born after 1959 can receive full or partial Social Security benefits when they turn

a. 60
b. 65
c. 67
d. 70e. 75

Answer: C

The __________ government program provides medical assistance for poor people.

The __________ government program provides medical assistance for poor people.

a. Medicare
b. Poverty Fund
c. Medifund
d. Medicaid
e. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF

Answer: D

The text suggests the powerful House Ways and Means Committee chairman Wilbur Mills of Arkansas changed his position with regard to the creation of a health care program because

The text suggests the powerful House Ways and Means Committee chairman Wilbur Mills of Arkansas changed his position with regard to the creation of a health care program because

a. he realized the bill would pass and he wanted to help shape its form.
b. the Republicans had gained seats in the House in the recent election.
c. Republicans outnumbered Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee.
d. he had a strong sense that he would not be re-elected if he remained in opposition to the program.
e. Lyndon Johnson promised him a position in the cabinet.

Answer: A

By the 1960s, a majority of the House favored a health care plan, but did not expect such legislation to ever reach the floor because

By the 1960s, a majority of the House favored a health care plan, but did not expect such legislation to ever reach the floor because

a. presidents had so roundly condemned the idea.
b. the Social Security system was unpopular.
c. it was expected that the Supreme Court would probably rule such a plan unconstitutional.
d. the Ways and Means Committee adamantly opposed the idea.
e. all of the above.

Answer: D

The American Medical Association considered the idea of medical support for the elderly and poor to be

The American Medical Association considered the idea of medical support for the elderly and poor to be

a. "absolutely necessary."
b. "consistent with the principles of our government."
c. "a sure way to bankrupt the government."
d. "incompatible with the rights of patients."
e. "socialized medicine."

Answer: E

Which presidents initially supported the idea of having the government pay the medical and hospital bills of the elderly and the poor?

Which presidents initially supported the idea of having the government pay the medical and hospital bills of the elderly and the poor?

a. Democratsb.
b. Republicans
c. Both Democrats and Republicans
d. Those who were chosen in close elections
e. Those who were former governors

Answer: B

Dr. Francis E. Townsend's organization led a nationwide movement that demanded

Dr. Francis E. Townsend's organization led a nationwide movement that demanded

a. food stamps for all persons over the age of seventy-five.
b. government pensions of $200 a month.
c. health benefits for persons who were both elderly and disabled.
d. free health insurance for all persons over the age of seventy-five.
e. government-run hospitals in each state.

Answer: B