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| Preface | |
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| The Role of Congress | |
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| Why Congress Exists | |
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| Core Principle: Sovereignty of the People | |
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| Core Principle: Balancing Powers in Government | |
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| Congress and the President | |
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| Why Federalism Works | |
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| Key Power: Passing the Basic Laws of the Land | |
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| Key Power: Controlling the Purse | |
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| Key Power: Shaping Foreign Policy | |
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| Congress and Individual Liberties | |
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| The Roots of Our Success | |
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| The Impact of Congress | |
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| Congress and the Fabric of Our Lives | |
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| Government's Greatest Endeavors | |
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| An Ordinary Day | |
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| Congress Does More Work than Meets the Eye | |
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| A Balanced View of Congress | |
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| Members of Congress Who Had an Impact | |
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| How Congress Works | |
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| A Complex Institution | |
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| An Evolving Institution | |
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| The Many Roles of a Member of Congress | |
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| Representing Constituents | |
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| How a Bill Really Becomes Law | |
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| Why We Need More Politicians | |
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| Power in Congress | |
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| The House and the Senate | |
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| The Awesome Responsibility of Voting | |
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| The Frustrations and Rewards of Congress | |
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| Public Criticisms of Congress | |
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| "Legislators Are a Bunch of Crooks" | |
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| "There's Too Much Wasteful, Pork-Barrel Spending by Congress" | |
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| "Legislators Just Bicker and Never Get Anything Done" | |
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| "You Can't Trust What Members of Congress Say" | |
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| "Congress Almost Seems Designed to Promote Total Gridlock" | |
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| "Members of Congress Compromise Too Much" | |
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| "There's Too Much Money in Politics Today" | |
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| "Members Are Out of Touch with Their Constituents" | |
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| "1Congress Is Run by Lobbyists and Special Interests" | |
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| Conclusion | |
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| Key Ways Congress Could Work Better | |
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| Declining Civility | |
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| The Importance of Good Process | |
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| Better White House/Congress Consultation | |
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| True Congressional Oversight | |
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| Improving Ethics Enforcement | |
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| Thinking about the Future | |
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| The Money Chase | |
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| Improving Public Understanding of Congress | |
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| Tackling the Tough Issues | |
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| Congress and the Common Good | |
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| Conclusion | |
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| Civic Participation | |
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| A Failure to Communicate | |
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| Being More Involved in the Work of Congress | |
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| The Cornerstones of Active Citizenship | |
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| Making Your Views Known to Congress | |
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| Individuals Who Have Made a Difference | |
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| Can the People Govern? | |
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| Strengthening Representative Democracy | |
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| Communicating with Congress | |
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| Notes | |
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| Index | |