Introduction: Crash Course U.S. Government and Politics

In which Craig Benzine introduces a brand new Crash Course about U.S. Government and Politics! This course will provide you with an overview of how the government of the United States is supposed to function, and we'll get into how it actually does function. The two aren't always the same thing. We'll be learning about the branches of government, politics, elections, political parties, pizza parties, and much, much more!
Produced in collaboration with PBS Digital Studios: / pbsdigitalstudios
Support is provided by Voqal: www.voqal.org
Chapters:
Introduction: Craig asks the big questions 00:00
What are government & politics and why do we study them? 1:58
How to participate in the U.S. political process 3:28
Crash Course Government & Politics will cover... 4:54
Credits 6:17
Crash Course is on Patreon! You can support us directly by signing up at / crashcourse
Want to find Crash Course elsewhere on the internet?
Facebook - / youtubecrashcourse
Twitter - / thecrashcourse
Instagram - / thecrashcourse
CC Kids: / crashcoursekids

[@K0sm1cKid]

I am here because I am terrified by my own political ignorance.

[@oreos1339]

ME

[@SmileyGirl22100]

if this aint me

[@captainmayday3929]

can i join the club

[@josephmclord]

Same here

[@katypower6049]

Amen sister.

[@mdstarfaith706]

I passed the US History AP exam using John's Crash Course US History. I'm counting on you to do the same for me with the AP Gov exam, Craig.

[@SummerLynn212]

MormonDude Starfaith did you pass it?

[@SamehDN]

The exam is tomorrow!

[@kaiad.1903]

did you pass?! I MUST KNOW!!

[@nourinebishara1709]

but did you pass tho?

[@jennasaysquoi5563]

Bruh. DID YOU PASS?

[@sierra5169]

i’ve never been one for politics, but seeing recent events i desperately want change, thank you for posting these!

[@kierahanley6437]

Me too!!!!

[@ld3070]

anyone else here because of 2020?

[@marcr3568]

I'm actually going to binge this whole series... See u in like five hours!

[@linneamcghie5746]

+Marc Rubin Saaaaame! My teacher used this in my class today and I couldnt keep a straight face!

[@marcr3568]

+Linnea Rainbow no I meant I'm going to like it I love politics

[@Rogue-A.I.]

Same right now :D

[@jacoboverton6626]

Joining the binge! Starting in 3, 2, 1.....

[@zemorph42]

Carmin Daugherty Why?

[@cjnunca9007]

this is a super crash course series but i think it would be awesome if you guys did some stuff on different political/economical systems. socialism, capitalism, democracy, fascism, anarchy, communism. it would all be really interesting

[@theramblingreviewer5150]

I agree. Perhaps a comparative course on politics throughout history.

[@mosiarmstrong]

You should DM them with this suggestion. I think it's an awesome suggestion.

[@Drakulamiki]

Sereach this channel: Storehouse of Ideologies. There isn't any videos on that now, but in their other channel (Ideológiák tárháza) you can watch their videos with subtitles. :)

[@operationyellowcomet511]

Hopefully they know what socialism and communism even mean

[@nardaaldaco630]

I logged on just to like this post and comment. I agree. It would be extremely helpful, and help settle a few arguments here and there.

[@howarthe1]

(2:19) "We study government in order to become better citizens. Studying government enables us to participate in an informed way. Anyone can participate, but doing so intelligently, that takes a little effort, so that's way we need to know how our government works."

[@deputyschrute4504]

Erin Howarth How did this get 60 likes all you did was quote the video

[@EzeKry]

101 likes now

[@Kevinproducciones2]

107 likes now

[@Nukedisaster1986]

Scruffy because it helped with a assignment

[@JulyReina02]

@@deputyschrute4504 because it's important to understand this

[@serbtrooper99]

The only reason I'm here is to see all the people freaking out in the comments about their AP test

[@bearlylucky]

Bro I'm cramming two days before my test and this is my last hope.

[@santirulez]

American Communist I hope you passed

[@Angel-ni2yn]

lmfao i ain't in AP but this comment has me bawling xD

[@rhollister9029]

What if we called the Founding Fathers the Founding Daddies?

[@firstname-lastname3038]

+R Hollister THAT'S GENIUS

[@marivadeborde1315]

+R Hollister omg

[@HeyJudie]

+R Hollister I'd have to go to the rapist for my daddy issues.

[@cara6499]

YES

[@nourat0w3l95]

R Hollister Uhhm sounds like a gay porn with crusty old white politicians cheating on their wives in the Oval Office.

[@minji48]

Its june 2020. Were in the middle of coronavirus and the black lives matter movement. And im watching this because i want to change things that seem unjust or unfair that i dont like

[@basix250]

Why am I watching this, I'm not even a US resident

[@user-ke1gf4pc8w]

Me too

[@isabellefrank9911]

it’s still good to understand other countries politics :)

[@What-zd7rm]

I’m here because of what happened to George Floyd because I want to understand why things are the way they are and how we can change for the better

[@jo5546]

it’s 2022. I’m starting a grad school program (social work) & some of these were assigned for a social policy foundations class. I am SO thrilled that Craig is *actually* funny & entertaining. I had to watch videos like this (done by other folks) last semester that were painful. Bless Craig for being able to make this content fun 🙏🏼👏🏼💫✨

[@zalex2357]

I love watching him. His teaching style and humor is extremely entertaining. Makes the learning process fun :) Thank you Mr. Benzine!

[@michaelglenn4814]

Trump must be binge watching this series right now.

[@jennyg4444]

Dear God, I hope so!!!!!!!

[@mac533]

If he were, my respect for him would go up 9.99x10+10000000000%. The biggest problem is not that he doesn't know anything, but that he doesn't want to learn.

[@Tharuka22]

if only

[@LisaMiller]

Nope.

[@crystalocs9278]

Michael Glenn oof

[@martinesse]

This is exactly what I've been looking for! An amazing explanation, especially for non American person who still needs to understand it all, thank you so so much for existing

[@wheezywaiter]

Who's this weird, hairy faced host?

[@amandadube156]

Anarchy! WHOOOOOO!!! (I was starting to wonder when that would happen...)

[@marthak1618]

Great job, Craig.

[@borggus3009]

He works with john on metalfloss, the youtube channel that proves and disproves facts, while also debunking myths.

[@sciencenerd8879]

I don't know but he's funny and he says "knowledge" weird.

[@plushy9849]

Amanda Lee Dube That was so satisfying when it finally happened. I was just looking at it the whole episode thinking '... when?'

[@milkteaful]

AP Government exam tomorrow! Time to watch all the videos from this playlist tonight.

[@missiknowathingortwo2165]

hi, I'm taking AP gov and politics this year..Any tips or important things to know? thanks sooo much if you or anyone can leave a comment!

[@milkteaful]

Hii!! Sooo I got a 3 on the AP Govt & Politics exam hahaha. Many of the questions were from previous exams, so remember to take lots of mock exams! If you pay attention in class and take notes throughout the year then you will be fine :) Once I saw the questions on the exam I was able to remember most of it hahaha.. There were a lot of FRQs with many parts, and those were probably what messed up my score > < Study study! And it helps if you actually look forward to the class and show interest in learning the materials. I had a wonderful teacher who really made the class fun and interesting.

[@missiknowathingortwo2165]

MirroTea thank you, and what do you mean FRQ with many parts? like asking you to explain something then also go into something else under it like a subdivision?

[@milkteaful]

Yep like each question will have part a, b, c, d, e that's related to the little passage they give you

[@missiknowathingortwo2165]

MirroTea oh wow, seems like I will have to study study lol, so 5 less or the same parts to put into FRQ's, I really appreciate your tips

[@amandawang8574]

ap exam in 2 days? check. losing my mind? check. finna cry? check. quarantine w/o friends to study with? check.

[@maeking5268]

Did you pass?

[@phillipsalinas545]

They really screwed us over this year idk about you but I took ap world history modern

[@irenecrepaldi6955]

When you used to binge watch these videos to prepare for AP Gov and now that you've graduated you rewatch them all just because Craig is absolutely delightful to listen to.

[@radishraccoon3657]

I'm actually pretty excited to watch the rest of this series, despite not being a US citizen. I'm hoping that the way the course is presented will explain government and politics in general, using the US as a sort of over-arching case study. In any case, learning about it should prompt me to go and research the differences to this system in my own country, which can only be a good thing :)

[@MisterDutch93]

inb4 Anti-Americans start complaining about the fact there is no EU government video.

[@gregbilotta2472]

They'll do another video series about EU governments. Those people I guess need to wait....I await the people who hate this comment.

[@krombopulos_michael]

It's an American channel. There's hardly going to be an EU one before an America one. Besides, EU is far more complicated and less dramatic.

[@NickGreyden]

greg Bilotta I hate your comment because it implies I will hate it. Also, England laws are over 300 years old and very wonky so :-PbPbPbP on you!!!! (ok so yea, EU laws would be pretty sweet to cover cause knowledge)

[@gregbilotta2472]

Lol, thx

[@MisterDutch93]

Cian It's an American channel, but a lot of the crashcourses are internationally oriented. That being said, I really hate Anti-American people, they shit on the US for like no reason sometimes. And that comes from a Dutch European guy! PS: I see you commenting on literally everything I watch, haha.

[@Datharass]

Recently started watching these crash course playlists while gaming... no idea how much of this information I am retaining just yet. Love these videos, I feel like if half the teachers in the world could be as entertaining as Hank, John or Craig can be our future might be bright indeed.

[@jackconroy368]

Another GREAT video, John! I loved every second of it and cannot wait for the sequel!

[@blunkcm]

Thank you ThoughCafé for doing this series. For better or worse this country needs this and you all have a wonderful way of presenting it. Thank you John, Hank, Craig, Stan, PBS and everyone on Suppable that donates to help these series come together.

[@ClorisPatientC]

Grats on your first Crash Course video! I am a lurker, but I watch about everything. Thanks to all of you for all you do.

[@magno2365]

Any last minute AP gov procrastinators??

[@jameshampton7833]

You're still in high school, Mr. Freeman?

[@Goober-cringe]

Here

[@j.dailey5891]

So yeah, I'm starting right here. This is the beginning of my 15 days of watching crash course. Our teacher gave us an assignment of 800+ questions on 7 hours of crash course.

[@crystalocs9278]

Morgan Freeman me

[@dakota5376]

Me

[@NaomiTrego]

Thanks so much for this series! So excited to binge on it and learn everything I forgot or didn't learn in school! Thanks!

[@alexhaley1649]

I am sooooooooooo excited for this series! I am teaching government this semester and was having a hard time finding videos to show in class! Thank you so much!!!! Please upload more ASAP!

[@justjollyjacob]

I think I'm going to love this series. So happy to see Crash Course constantly branching out to other educational topics :)

[@alpenglw4743]

"you can stand outside of a government office with a sign and a bullhorn complaining about military action that you think is unfair, and the police can't stop you" 😬

[@assclown78000]

I need more crash course in my life again. Omg. Mr. Green. Helped me so much in American history. I can't believe i haven't been using this resource. As a now 30 year old going back to high school, I highly appreciate the content. I'm sure Mr.Benzine will make me want to learn more about civics, just like Mr. Green did with AMerican History as well :)

[@BlueXalazi]

I can think of several members of congress that should be required to watch this crash course series before they ever do anything else again.

[@noahhoyt6879]

I am with you there

[@sorou]

***** "masters of politics" lmao

[@mandydax]

At least 535 of them.

[@whichever-godyou-prefer1640]

Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio...

[@gaiusbaltar4850]

***** Masters at politics? That's quite a romantic view. I'd call them puppets, for the most part. They're just peons for the true masters at politics, who are not to be found in the Congress, but rather in the White House, the Supreme Court and, of course, on Wall Street.

[@JavierSalcedoC]

Is that Saul´s office?

[@crashcourse]

***** Saul's office was definitely an inspiration in the set design. -stan

[@bmcentral7751]

1st The mongols.

[@Daniel-xp4yg]

CrashCourse hi billy mays here

[@malachiharris2218]

I just got an internship for someone running for senator and I realized AFTER that I have forgotten most of what I learned about politics in high school. Gonna try and marathon this before my first day! Online education is an amazing thing!

[@nightrose131]

Using these videos to interrupt my AP Government studying with study breaks that are then secretly more studying. And participate in the government, in a roundabout way. this is fantastic.

[@Sophiaftu50]

Wow, such an appealing introduction. It gets me interested in knowing more about it. Thank you very much. You're such a great teacher, Craig Benzine!

[@boul6373]

I hope they eventually do Crash Course physics, philosophy, and religious studies.

[@LuxATemporeNostro]

Religious studies? Shhhhh don't wake the angry youtube comments :D

[@AdmireRoxtars]

I can't wait for Crash Course Economics to start!

[@SilverFeet]

Lux A Tempore Nostro nah, you'd only anger extreme fundamentalists and nu atheists, and they find reasons to talk shit in the comments anyway.

[@boul6373]

I am an atheist myself but I still find religion to be an interesting subject and worth learning about.

[@LuxATemporeNostro]

Brian Jensen Good point, there is no escaping to mankind's dumbest, but my comment was only for comic purposes. I wouldn't mind religious studies, even though I don't find them all that interesting.

[@xio3956]

Passed my ap gov test thnx to this + practice test + reading the ap gov book but here I am 2 years later in university relearning this to actually apply it in my life. Wishing everyone the best 💕

[@suzyk8]

I could use this in my Government class at school! What a great video and conversation starter.... lots of information in a very fast paced setting, can't wait to see the rest of them. And humor adds interest, thank you.

[@Urspo]

Excellent! I am looking forward to this series !

[@davidgodfrey1815]

Fun

[@catherinelai6550]

The person who edited this video is awesome!! The new host is funny, too. I'm really looking forward to the future episodes. I believe that this will be a great help for my government class.

[@samanthamanning4603]

I'm watching this series because I'm taking an American government course in college. Thank you for uploading this series!

[@CrystalRubyMoon]

Thank you so much for this! I really don't understand government and politics. I read the textbook, take notes from it, listen intently to my teacher, and take the notes, but it's just not sinking in. The visuals in CC really helps me understand.

[@Phazon8058MS]

Correction, anarchy is the rejection of unjust hierarchical systems, not rejection of government. Some anarchists reject government as well, but not all.

[@mawkishwarden172]

Anarchy - absence of government and absolute freedom of the individual, regarded as a political ideal.

[@Phazon8058MS]

Blue Musketeer Dictionary definitions mean nothing. Ask any anarchist to define anarchy, and they'll give you the definition I did, or something extremely similar. The definition I gave is the definition anarchists have been using for over 100 years.

[@RustyShackleford1066]

Words have meaning, if an anarchist suggests a form of goverment, then they're not a anarchist. Similar to if a person who says they're christian says "Jesus never existed and there is no god", they're not a Christian.

[@mawkishwarden172]

PhazonSpaceSystems All that tells me is that Anarchists are either ignorant or in denial about what their ideology is.

[@Phazon8058MS]

Jacob Lively Blue Musketeer Government and the state are not exactly one and the same. Anarchists do reject the state. Anarchists define the state is a centralized institution controlled by an elite minority, a monopoly on the legitimate use of violence, and a geographical area over which this force is exercised. Ask any anarchist to define the state, that's the definition they'll give you. A government is just a system that people use to run society. A government can be hierarchical like we have in the world today, or it can be non-hierarchical such as direct democracy. Most anarchists subscribe to some sort of collective, democratic, non-hierarchical governance. If you're going to try and define what anarchists believe, you should actually know what they believe first. EDIT: I would also just like to clarify that within the anarchist community, their really isn't much agreement on how to define government. The definition I gave is the one I personally use, but some anarchists may reject that definition.

[@alannar.8701]

He's going to punch the eagle. I'm calling it.

[@alannar.8701]

I must be psychic.

[@nadiact-ie5hy]

So happy when that happened.

[@__RD14533]

Stupid eagle!

[@bens7855]

I’m going to take notes and watch this whole 50 episode series so that when I go to the beach with my family soon, I can talk politics and know what I’m talking about...

[@mollyjansen8142]

Anyone here for dang school?

[@irabakri2662]

This series helped me to understand House of Cards (US Version). I wish somebody would also make UK Government and Politics series. I just started watching House of Cards (BBC), and although the acting is superb, I can't really grasp the story itself.

[@jbhoyhvb]

Same here!!! Plus since I'm English is not my first language I don't understand everything. Like, when they call Frank "whip" I'm like "what?? He whips people at Congress to vote for what he wants???" 😂😂😂

[@emiifert2062]

Well I'm starting my AP class today so I'm starting a binge watch.

[@everydaylifeinak9372]

Thank you so much for making these videos!! They are extremely helpful!!

[@bkirkpatrick13]

These videos are fantastic! Thanks for your hard work and dedication. Also, Craig Benzine, way to keep your audience engaged. :)

[@TheBlackstarrt]

I'm just happy he called us the right form of government. A Republic. This guy sounds pretty unbiased so far.

[@cameronmiller6514]

Richard T this whole channel while sometimes letting their opinions show mostly gives unbiased facts. Which is why I think it useful to educators to present information in a form that today’s students can understand and are used to.

[@chelseadolly6899]

wow this guy is great i love his humor

[@theoctoberspad]

I love your program! You are so fun! I am grateful you made this channel.

[@suncrestt4839]

this is super useful thanks so much y’all!

[@Leftistattheparty]

Please talk about anarchy. Anarchist theory isn't about destruction, it is about a rejection of authority because they believe that no one person has the natural right to tell someone what they can and can't do. Is this a good way of government? I don't think so but I do know that having knowledge of this type of government is helpful into understanding the political process as a whole.

[@Naiadryade]

Thank you. I also hope they end up talking about anarchism. It's insulting that it is dismissed with just a reference to the Sex Pistols. Anarchism has a much longer history and much more nuanced proposals for ways to organize society than that--complete with big books by old white dudes from the 1800's. (Also Emma Goldman, and plenty of more contemporary theory.) It was called "libertarian socialism" before libertarian capitalism became a thing and started being referred to simply as libertarianism. (Anarchism is decidedly anti-capitalist, and they didn't want people to get confused.)

[@SilverFeet]

They've actually discussed anarchy and anarchist civilization before on Crash Course. Check out World History 201.

[@hoopart1]

Brian Jensen They made somewhat of a false equivalency between anarchism and primitivism on that episode. Essentially, anyone who has written for Crash Course has a terrible understanding and analysis of the left.

[@robertogtr9159]

May the force be with you this monday. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@gizellerivera2766]

Roberto F. Thank you.!

[@MichaelaGrillo]

"... It requires knowledge and effort, and we have to do it because otherwise we end up being led rather than being leaders. We learn about politics because knowledge is our best defense against unscrupulous people who will use our ignorance to get us to do things that they want rather than what we think should be done." Wow. What a powerful statement.

[@rachelkunka3425]

This government and politics crash course series has helped me so much!!!!! thank you SOOOOO MMUUCCCCCCCCCHHHH

[@mandydax]

Typo in the opening credits 1:52: "apppointed." I would like to introduce a motion to form a committee to look into researching an investigation of Thought Café for urinating in public because there is at least 50% too much "p" in that word. Will anyone second the motion?

[@nathanflannery3031]

Oh good, I wasn't the only person to spot that typo lol

[@MagisterDenarii]

All those in favour of this motion say "aye". On the contrary "no". I think the "ayes" have it? The ayes have it. Is a division required? Ring the bells for four minutes. Lock the doors. The results of the division are as follows: "Ayes" 73, "no's" 34. The division is therefore resolved in the affirmative. I call the member for....

[@bobthechampion]

Don't forget the one just below it, "Reprentative."

[@Jatleby]

Sincerest apologies for the typos, they will be corrected in the near future. Love that you guys look through them so thoroughly. -Thought Cafe James

[@Mythrilspade]

James Tuer we point it out because we love your work.

[@stopitjanet]

Time to smash a semesters worth of this, in two hours.

[@DiamondEye007]

I'm taking the AP US Govt. and Politics test in two days without taking the AP class. I have just started watching the videos today. CC don't fail me now!!!

[@meganmonson2694]

Helped me so much! Thank you!!!

[@mbe102]

Also, we need a Crashcourse Computer Science, and Crashcourse Mathematics!

[@lynseyolivia9051]

The Stry Show i really think they should do a mathematics one, it would make school so much easier

[@sagiksp4979]

The Stry Show You sir, are a Genius. CrashCourse, if you read this, PLEASE DO Crash course Computer Science _OR_ Crash course Mathematics!

[@libby2783]

The Stry Show YESS! MATHS! i need crashcourse mathematics!

[@sagiksp4979]

Liberty Mae We all do...

[@SekharBarpanda]

Great initiative...now a new crash course to look forward to. Although for your international subscribers, you could've broaden your boundaries...after all governments & politics exist outside of US too! Maybe the next one, then?

[@LatinBaabe305]

You're awesome for making these videos. Very helpful and entertaining

[@Mingster237]

Thanks for making this series! I really need it lol

[@marthapasatiempo3672]

Soooo I'm weird (obviously.) I'm taking a Law and Politics elective in school this year, so here I am 4 weeks before school, watching the entire Crash Course playlist of the course. I'm gonna be like Hermione in this class, always raising my hand :P

[@inez20000]

Haha same, I'm taking a politics and government class at school this year because I want to become a politician as a career, so I'm getting a head start a month before school starts lol

[@mementomori2285]

NatalieInez, that's what I did for physics, everybody thinks I'm a genius

[@rachel-shin]

who's here because of the ap gov exam monday

[@MooPics9898]

Did you see the example questions dude? I think I'm gonna fail

[@gizellerivera2766]

rachel shin me .! Goood luck to you.!

[@gizellerivera2766]

Director Howard i didnt even seee it ...im gonna fail

[@LunaKirby]

Is AP gov hard? I’m thinking about taking it. I’m going to be a freshman, but I think I’ll wanna take it sophomore year.

[@gizellerivera2766]

I_love Makingvids i dont know ANYTHING about gov and politics so for me its hard but if you at least know your basics and know constitution history and your amendments then i think youd be okay

[@jimbolic0809]

Can't wait to complete this crash course. I'm so excited!

[@brandy2181]

I love all the videos by CC, I have used them to understand subjects for several college course I've taken. A 'bloopers' playlist would be cool to add.. just a thought!

[@FRAV661]

Time for AP government review....

[@markk9530]

+FRAV661 LOL same dude

[@23Stork]

criminology is the study of government.

[@RyanGatts]

your cynicism is unappealing and unproductive.

[@GageEakins]

***** Not really.

[@happysamoan97]

Ryan Gatts That Joke made me blow more air out of my nose than normal, so it wasn't unproductive.

[@MrLgmhandler]

#Iam14andthisisedgy

[@thebullybuffalo]

Actually, criminology is the study of human beings.

[@civicsreview5697]

Crash course is life. Thanks for all the videos!

[@kuntikafley8161]

You guys are amazing! Thanks and appreciation

[@eirikmatias]

I'm from Norway and study in England and I didn't think I would be interested in this topic at all (since America is very far away for me)... but then came Craig! signed, a beardlover

[@Ancor3]

I'm making the following predictions: CC is going to state some facts about the US government and politics (obviously). Right wingers will call CC liberal for stating these facts.

[@Kenandan]

CC is very liberal. But that in itself does not matter. I am a libertarian/conservative but i still enjoy their videos. Jacy I think has the grasp of it. They most likely will talk about how the constitution formed and each of the roles of the government. What they wont talk about, is how the federal government has grown beyond the scope of what it should be. If the federal government followed the constitution, we wouldn't have Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, etc. Our federal debt would be considerably lower, if not gone.

[@Ancor3]

Kenandan Pretty sure that Medicare, Medicaid and stuff aren't unconstitutional. But I agree, the federal debt would probably not exist. Also, poverty rates would be much higher and societal health much worse.

[@jacobhamblin5875]

Best case scenario is that this series goes like CC American History went. They stayed unbiased and just presented all philosophies and where they came from. Yes, stupid people still complained about how that series went, but I don't find that any worse than using the term "Right Wingers" as a derogatory term. Seriously people, can't we all just get along?

[@Ancor3]

Jacob Hamblin "Right wingers" is not a derogatory term, it's a simplistic method of labeling people on the right of the political spectrum. The fact of the matter is that many people on the political right call everything they don't like "liberal". And when I say everything I mean EVERYTHING! I've even seen a discussion where a republican called a libertarian a liberal due to a disagreement (a libertarian of all people). It's almost like an automatic response to them. Don't like fact X? Call it liberal, that will solve everything!

[@Kenandan]

They are outside the bounds of the federal government. The only thing the federal government is suppose to do, is listed in Article 1, Section 8. They can add additional powers through the amendment process, but otherwise everything else is regulated to the states via the Bill of Rights. That is why they are unconstitutional. Poverty rates have never changed. They are roughly the same. No major change in poverty levels after 50 years, and trillions of dollars. In fact, today we have a welfare mentality. There is people who refuse to work, because they make more money from the government through welfare then by working a 40 hour work week. This is a problem. For these people, there is no incentive for them to go and look for work. So they stay home, and hurt themselves through a lack of gained skills. These people can't save for the future, have no retirement plans and become more and more depended on the government to take care of them. This creates a dependency cycle. This then causes the government to again step outside their powers to create more government programs and regulations, which puts more people on the government doles, which then puts more and more strain on the government, causing more debt and higher taxes. Which then puts more strain on businesses, causing them to deal with these regulations, and taxes. Businesses pass on the taxes to the consumer, and lay off employees to cut costs. Which causes people to go onto welfare. There is a breaking point, and when it does break, things can go completely out of control. When ever congress seeks to pass a new law, or the president says he is going to do something, the questions that should be asked is: At what cost? Who is going to lose? Could this be better achieved at a more local area? Getting back to the topic of unconstitutional. Progressives, not all liberals (Democrats), bear in mind, cite the first "power" in Article 1, Section 8 to support their programs. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; They forget though, that the constitution is a compact between the federal government, and the states. Not between the federal government and the people. The federal government must look after the common defense and the general welfare of the states, not its people. Many people don't understand this, and even the supreme court failed to understand this. Why would the founding fathers of this country, who had just had a revolt against a government that was all controlling, put in their constitution a means for the government to have a broad unrestricted power that they were fighting against? Sorry for the long winded power to your smaller one Afro.

[@salomon0991]

Finally I found someone who can explain such complex things... Thank you very much

[@idontknowaboutthat1904]

Great series, thank you for this!

[@hamsterbobo1234]

I'm way into this! Thanks for doing four series at once! Any comments on how CrashCourse got involved with PBS Studios? I'm curious.

[@nadiact-ie5hy]

I know that PBS approached John and Hank awhile ago about coming up with a series that PBS would fund. The result of that was The Art Assignment. I guess the people at PBS looked at the success of that channel and decided to work with the Vlogbrothers further. (Just my conjecture)

[@nickkersbergen]

I enjoy this man and his elbow patches.

[@BrittneyMoreno98]

I have an AP GOV and Economics final tomorrow and I've decided to come to this side of KZbin. Thank you for these ❤️

[@user-dw5iu8gm1j]

For me, your channel is just a mind opener) I'm gonna watch all the content! Thanks)

[@swampfox1007]

Anyone that needs to cram should watch at 1.25 speed.

[@zhin4362]

I like the way you think

[@spencerc706]

Catch up bud we’re hitting 1.5x in 2018

[@dannymain542]

2x is the goal for 2019

[@AymenAymen-gy6ky]

Swamp Fox hvv

[@AymenAymen-gy6ky]

Zhin Null hgxcg

[@amardeepkaur2919]

I'm not sure if I can get through all of these by tonight for the AP gov test tomorrow

[@selenalamothe997]

My little sister loved this video so much she showed me and our little brother. I love it and i love the way he speaks because he makes it actually entertaining!

[@linyzheng4613]

I was looking for a video for American government class,clasSs, then I saw this. I'm so happy to find that crash course has a section on this.

[@HunterCivilianPlays]

He doesn't blink................................ ever..........................

[@akashchoudhary8162]

HunterCivilianPlays Jump Cuts

[@tomswenson4500]

dude i think he might be on some hardcore drugs

[@jan-mg5ug]

Oh my, I never noticed

[@nina17duran]

Damn it now I’m trying not to blink to see if I catch him blinking but now I feel like I miss his blink when I blink 👀

[@glennmatthews758]

@@nina17duran I rewatched this entire video after reading this comment and only found him blink TWICE. TWICE. At 5:23 and 6:19 . He's insane.

[@samuelrogers8358]

Man this is Interesting

[@licatrochi]

Crash Course is my favorite. Thank you for so much information!

[@CookieCoCo_OG]

I absolutely love your videos!!! Thanks.

[@aquasuni1428]

here we go , help me craig get through this year

[@abbydawnfreak442]

this show teaches me more about this subject than my teacher does :)

[@TheeBeard1984]

This is my second year teaching US Government. Thanks for this CC channel! Excellent resource.

[@NazbolCaliphDonaldaddeenTrump]

+Joseph Beard as a student about to take the AP test, I wish your students good luck

[@uptontribe8148]

I am currently living in Guam, watching these videos, and feeling somewhat excited when he mentions Guam.

[@hitmantoz]

Come on, Craig, that bit at the end was perfectly set up for an explosion!

[@nadiact-ie5hy]

But it's not Wednesday!

[@Joeobrown1]

nadiact1000 wow, you're everywhere...

[@nadiact-ie5hy]

***** Too much time on the internet. But the Vlogbrothers are the ones who got me into it, and I actually watched Mental Floss and Crash Course before I started watching any other channels.

[@TheVlog]

Too bad it's Friday

[@Thelightsaver1]

He's not Michael Bay.

[@dzhellek]

Given what's going right now, I think teaching specifically a civics course would be a good idea.

[@isabellebisio7639]

I think I found my new favorite crash course person, but that is still on the table because I need to watch more

[@smile.__]

I just started this, thanks PBS!