A. What is the central purpose of the Legislative Branch? How do the institutional rules, powers, and practices of the Legislative Branch help accomplish this purpose? How does the legislative branch check and balance the other branches? How are the House and the Senate different, and why? Is this branch "democratic"? Why or why not?

B. Describe the many roles that the public demands from the American president. Explain in detail the formal powers, informal powers, and constraints of the president. Is this branch "democratic"? Why or why not?

C. Consider this statement: Interest groups should be eliminated because they threaten the health of our democratic republic. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer with details, reasoning, and evidence gained from this course.