Government

It's safe to say most every American is familiar with the two magic words: "American dream." But what is this dream exactly? And how do you know if you're living it?

By Patrick J. Kiger

If you think filibusters have been in the news more lately, you're right. In the 1950s, the Senate averaged fewer than one per session. The 116th Congress (2019-2020), however, threatened filibuster 270 times. Why the big increase?

By John Kelly & John Donovan

You always hear stories about politicians and government employees leaving their jobs to return to the private sector and vice versa, but did you know that the phenomenon actually has a name? It's known as the Revolving Door -- and some critics think it could damage the country irreparably.

By Josh Clark

If you're a child in the United States, you can't legally vote, drive, hold public office or even see some movies without an adult with you. But that doesn't mean you don't have constitutional rights.

By Chanel Lee

China is generally viewed as the next candidate for "superpower" distinction, but does that mean it will take over the world? What would that entail?

By Charles W. Bryant

Some of the most pervasive rumors during the debates over health care reform involved people over the age of 65. But as it turns out, many of the Affordable Care Act's provisions are something for seniors to be excited about.

By Molly Edmonds

Medical professionals in the United States have some of the most advanced diagnostic equipment in the world, but when it comes to keeping track of patients' medical histories, we still rely primarily on pen and paper. Why should we switch?

By Molly Edmonds

Governments around the world have long combined capitalism with socialism -- with varying results. What brought the two together in the first place?

By Jessika Toothman

The idea of a democracy, in which each citizen gets an equal vote to contribute to decision making, can sound tempting. But in practice, is democracy an efficient way to govern, or does it just equate to mob rule?

By Josh Clark

In tough economic times, you might be tempted to classify health insurance as a luxury -- and decide to get rid of the expense. But health insurance is one thing that should remain in your budget no matter how bad things get. How can you find the right plan?

By Molly Edmonds

Shopping for shoes, books and private yachts is fun; shopping for health insurance is not. But don't despair. The good news is that it's getting much, much easier -- and putting in the work of buying insurance is far preferable to dealing with sky-high medical bills.

By Molly Edmonds

An ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure, but Americans seem to forget that when it comes to health care. Most of us just wait to see the doctor when we're already sick. Could changes to preventive services coverage convince more of us to go?

By Molly Edmonds

When you make a large purchase, such as a car, you do a little comparison shopping, looking at different features and prices until you find the perfect fit. You can't do that with the health insurance market. At least, not until now.

By Molly Edmonds

U.S. health care reform didn't happen without a firestorm of controversy. With all the hubbub surrounding the bill, the actual contents of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are still a mystery to many -- maybe even you.

By Molly Edmonds

Each state has its own head of the executive branch of government -- the state governor. But what does a state governor actually do, and how does he or she shape the lives of citizens within his or her state?

By Patrick E. George

If the governor passes away or resigns, the lieutenant governor takes over the position. But outside acting as a stand-in for such an event, what does the lieutenant governor do?

By Patrick J. Kiger

The attorney general of United States is our country's legal counsel. He or she advises the president and the heads of executive departments. What else does this person do?

By Sarah Winkler

People know who the U.S. secretary of state is and probably something about what he or she does. But did you know states have them, too? How is their role in local government different?

By Stephanie Crawford

Despite some confusion about its spelling, the required duties of a state comptroller are quite clear: These money managers oversee state budgets, pay state employees, manage pensions and more.

By Stephanie Watson

In the U.S., the state treasurer acts as the state's chief banker and money manager. Some treasurers, however, use the office as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

By Dave Roos

The U.S. government -- and every state in the Union -- takes in billions of dollars in tax money every year. When you have that kind of money coming in, it's easy to act recklessly. Luckily, auditors general track all these funds and make sure they're spent responsibly.

By Ed Grabianowski

Would you like to know how much your house is worth? Do you want to make sure that new shed will add value to your home before you build it? County assessors help property owners in a given county determine its value -- and, in turn, the county's property tax rate.

By Josh Clark

If you've ever gotten married, had a child or really, ever been born, your vital records have made their way over to the county clerk's office. Could you work as a county clerk and maintain all that paperwork?

By Josh Clark

You've probably seen countless legal series on television that depict large teams of attorneys representing the state. But who's the big shot in charge of those lawyers? The State's Attorney, that's who.

By Lawrence Schumacher

The county commission is the oldest form of government in the U.S. and is still common in many regions of the country. What tasks does a board of commissioners usually oversee?

By John Kelly