This concise paperback introduces the basics of American government, structured around democracy as an ideal toward which we continually strive. Thematically organized, it prepares readers to review events in the context of this goal. This book prepares readers to be good citizens, armed with the information they will need to follow politics and make educated choices about leaders, policies, and actions. Cases and real-world examples reflect current trends and events such as: Tom Ridge and the Homeland Security Council, the War on Terrorism and Anti-Terrorism Bill, Anthrax and the US Postal Service, Dick Cheney as the new VP, Census 2000, the Enron scandal, Military tribunals, Senator Jeffords party switch, the Supreme Court and the 2000 Presidential Election, 2002 Congressional elections, governments in the Islamic world, and much more. Topics also address the multiple processes of formulating, implementing, and evaluating public policy and the democratic ideal. For anyone wanting to arm themselves with the information needed to make educated political decisions and choices.