| jlapiroff@fremont.k12.ca.us |
Welcome to Government/Economics for the Fall.
This is an exciting moment in our history to be looking at these subjects with Presidential election coming up in November, and the World economy quaking in the wake of the U.S. mortgage loan crisis and soaring energy prices. Some of you will be eligible to vote for the first time in this election, and all of you are able to work for the local, State, of National candidates of you choice, or for or against initiatives on the California ballot.
My first election was in 1968 when I met two of the candidates but didn't vote for either of them, but I was ctive in party politics and the Civil Rights movement long before I was a voter. The President when I came to Kennedy was the man John Kennedy had defeated in 1960, and the only holder of that office ever to resign, Richard Nixon.
We are going to study the public policy issues -both political and economic- that face us today, and also the governmental and non-governmental structures through which they can be addressed. In doing so, we are going to rely not only on the text but also on the daily newspaper, the internet, and public speakers. We are not going to agree on policy so our class will offer an opportunity to debate the issues.
One focus of my attention at present is confronting the paradigm shift in lifestyle and technology required by global warming and the energy crisis. If time permits, we will explore some public policy and economic issues related to this topic.
I want you all to be successful in this class. Please check in with me at any time you have any concerns.
