Chief of State - Answers The ceremonial head of a government, such as a king, queen, or president. This
is in contrast to the chief executive of a government, such as a prime minister, chancellor, or president.
The American presidency combines in one office- one person- the roles of chief of state and chief
executive.
Food Stamps - Answers A welfare program designed to improve the nutrition of the poor. Administered
by the Department of Agriculture and state and local welfare organizations, the program provides
coupons (stamps) that can be used to pay for food at many grocery stores.
Amnesty International - Answers A worldwide organization that seeks to gain the release of political and
religious prisoners by publicizing their plights and lobbying governments. It has been especially effective
in exposing cases of government sanctioned torture. In 1972 the organization was awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize.
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) - Answers The federal agency created by the
National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to conduct research on problems of flight to explore outer
space.
Lobby - Answers Any individual, group, or organization that seeks to influence legislation or
administrative action.
GI Bill - Answers The American Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. It provided low-interest, no
down-payment home mortgages and education benefits that allowed a whole generation of working
class veterans to go to college and advance into the middle class.
Amtrak - Answers The National Railroad Passenger Corp., the federally subsidized corporation created in
1970 to operate intercity rail passenger service.
Speaker - Answers The presiding officer of a legislature such as a House of Representatives or a House of
Commons, elected by its members. Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill was speaker from 1977 to 1987.
Political Machine - Answers Historically, an informal organization that controlled the formal processes of
government through corruption, patronage, intimidation, and service to its constituents.
Ward Heeler - Answers A local political functionary.
Libertarianism - Answers A political doctrine holding that a government should do little more than
provide protection; other than that, it should not interfere- for either good or ill- in the lives of its
citizens.
Objectivist - Answers One who believes that reason and logic are means to knowledge, that self-interest
determines ethics, and that capitalism should prevail in society.