Every government program costs money, which usually comes from revenues collected in taxes and fees. Every government program is run by government employees whose job it is to make sure the program does what it should and that tax dollars are spent appropriately.

Choose one cabinet-level department that interests you and locate a few news stories about the department to learn more about its mission, programs, size, and clout. Based on what you have learned, answer the following questions:

• In general terms, what is the department responsible for?

• Which of the department's programs do you think are most valuable to society? Least valuable to society?

• Do you think the department is too large, too small, or the proper size?

• What queries do you have about the department that would help you better answer these questions?