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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. O'Rourke concludes that, because government can stifle the free market, government is what?

2. What branch of the military uses the USS Mobile Bay?

3. O'Rourke claims that Social Security serves only to pad the bank accounts of whom?

4. What is the "largest part" of the USS Mobile Bay, according to the author?

5. O'Rourke believed his town spent too much on what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does O'Rourke feel about Panama when he goes there in the wake of Operation Just Cause?

2. How does O'Rourke feel about Social Security after visiting the AARP?

3. How does O'Rourke suggest solving the problem of students dropping out of school?

4. Why does O'Rourke feel that the best policy for dealing with Afghani Pathan tribesman is to just stay away from them?

5. Why does O'Rourke say that Blatherboro suffers from stupidity?

6. What does O'Rourke mean when he says that Social Security is like the nation picking its own pocket?

7. How does O'Rourke feel about claims of collateral damage during Operation Just Cause?

8. Why does O'Rourke believe that a lot of money should be spent on the American military?

9. What does O'Rourke see when he spends an evening with the Washington DC police department?

10. How does O'Rourke describe environmentalists?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the title of O'Rourke's book. Who is he referring to when he speaks of the "parliament of whores"? Who are the "whores," and why does he use this word to describe this group? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

What role did the media play in George H. W. Bush's popularity? How does O'Rourke characterize the media's feelings toward Bush? How does he seem to feel about the media's treatment of Bush? What is the significance of O'Rourke including this observation in his book? What point is he trying to make?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the significance of Jesse Jackson. What characteristics did O'Rourke see in Jackson that he was impressed by? What techniques does the author use to show that he is impressed by Jackson? Why does the author mention Jackson? What is he trying to say about him and about politicians in general?

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