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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. What was O'Rourke's family's socioeconomic status when he was a child?

2. Who was the acting director of Public Affairs at Customs when O'Rourke's book was written?

3. O'Rourke's wife asked him about a hurricane that hit what state?

4. O'Rourke argues that pollution is a byproduct of what?

5. What is the USS Mobile Bay?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does O'Rourke describe the USS Mobile Bay?

2. How does O'Rourke feel about the government's treatment of the nation's problem with drugs?

3. How does O'Rourke feel about the war in Afghanistan?

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

5. Why does O'Rourke fault environmentalists for making "big business" out to be the enemy?

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

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

8. Why does O'Rourke say Americans will not find a solution to the problem of drugs in the country?

9. Who does O'Rourke blame for the savings and loan collapse?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore O'Rourke's view of special interest groups. What does the author dislike about special interest groups? How does he characterize them? How does he characterize the people who are involved in them? What specific groups does he talk about? What problems does he see with them? What role does he believe special interest groups play in the politics?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Explore the significance of Michael Dukakis in the book. How does O'Rourke use Dukakis' past experience as governor to mock him? What problems did he see with the way Dukakis led? What problems did he see with the promises Dukakis made to the U.S. citizens?

(see the answer keys)

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