1) Perhaps most importantly, the federal government guides the overall pace of economic activity, attempting to maintain steady growth, high levels of employment, and price stability. By adjusting spending and tax rates (fiscal policy) or managing the money supply and controlling the use of credit (monetary policy), it can slow down or speed up the economy's rate of growth -- in the process, affecting the level of prices and employment.


3)What are the main differences between Democrats & Republicans now (belief, social composition, geography)?
• Democrat- Liberal- Wants to change.
• Republican- Conservative- Follows established tradition more often.
Military
• Democrat- Would like to decrease military spending, and strengthen organizations like NATO and the UN.
• Republican- Would rather have a strong military.
Gun Control
• Democrat- More gun laws are needed.
• Republican- Against new gun laws.
Gay Rights
• Democrat- Usually for gay rights and sees it as OK for some to be with who they choose.
• Republican- Usually hold the view that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
Minimum Wage
• Democrat- Believes a living wage above the poverty line should be given.
• Republican- Believe that free market should determine wages.
Death Penalty
• Democrat- Does not believe a live should be taken as punishment.
• Republican- The death penalty can be necessary.
Taxes
• Democrat- The most taxes should go to those with the most money.
• Republican- Believes that taxes should stay low to benefit the economy and believes in tax cuts.
Flag Burning
• Democrat- It should be allowed due to freedom of speech.
• Republican- Should not be allowed as that is not what the constitution intended.
Abortion
• Democrat- It should be the woman’s choice.
• Republican- The government should protect the unborn child’s life.
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5) What does the function of journalists as a watchdog of the government include? (Understanding Media watchdogs)
The role of journalism in American democracy has evolved to include its function as a watchdog of the government, meaning that journalists are expected to investigate when elected officials abuse the rights and freedoms of average people. Other watchdog groups focus criticism on the expanding wealth and influence of corporate conglomerates.

Sweet Lemon (17:46:09 31/05/2009)
2) What is the Libel Law & how was it revolutionized in 1964?
Libel(клевета) cases are heard by the jury which decides: whether a publication has printed libelous information about someone, how much the libeled individual has suffered, what kind of monetary damages he will have. Revolutionized Libel Law. The Sullivan decision of 1964: public officials no longer could sue successfully for libel unless reporters or editors were guilty of “actual malice(злой умысел)” when publishing false statements about them. Now they would have to prove that a journalist had knowingly printed false information while making little if any attempt to distinguish truth from lies.