Understanding Taxes and Government Structure

Constitutional Amendments and Taxes

• The 16th Amendment allows Congress to levy income tax without apportioning it among states based on population.
• Progressive tax systems tax higher-income individuals more heavily than lower-income individuals.

Economic Indicators

• The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average price for a fixed basket of goods and services.
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total value of all goods and services produced in an economy.

Forms of Government

• A parliamentary system is a form of government where the head of government is elected or nominated by the legislature.

Taxes

• Estate tax is the net value of a deceased person's assets.
• Income tax is a tax on income generated by individuals or businesses.
• Property tax is an annual or semiannual tax paid by real estate owners to local governments.
• Sales tax is a tax on the sale of goods or services.

Branches of Government and Power

• Congress declares war.
• The federal bureaucracy is part of the executive branch.
• A filibuster is a legislative procedure used to delay or prevent a decision.

Government Spending and Debt

• Entitlement spending is government spending required by law for programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
• The national defense budget is used to support the US military and national defense.
• Debt is the money a government owes from spending more than it earns.

Economics and Unemployment

• Higher unemployment usually leads to lower inflation due to less pressure on wages and prices.
• Good job reports (high employment) usually mean less pressure on wage and prices.
• Federal Reserve actions impact monetary policy by adjusting federal funds rates to control borrowing.

Economic Theories and Policies

• Keynesian economics supports government action to stabilize the economy and create jobs.
• Reaganomics aims to reduce taxes, reduce regulations, limit spending, and control inflation.
• Retrospective economic voting is when voters decide based on a leader or party's performance.

Healthcare Concerns and Systems

• Three primary concerns regarding healthcare are coverage, cost, and quality.
• Laissez-faire promotes minimal government involvement.
• Socialized medicine systems have the government running and paying for healthcare.
• Socialized healthcare insurance systems have the government running, paying for healthcare, and funding it through taxes.
• Managed competition aims for lower costs and improved access to quality healthcare.
• The Affordable Care Act (2010) made insurance more accessible and affordable.
• Medicare for all provides Medicare to everyone in the US with full benefits

This quiz explores key concepts related to constitutional amendments affecting taxation, economic indicators like CPI and GDP, and forms of government such as parliamentary systems. Test your knowledge on various types of taxes and the powers of different branches of government.