The Clinton Presidency, Zinn

“The Clinton Presidency,” Zinn

1. How did Clinton’s political rhetoric contradict the spirit of his domestic and foreign policy? What issues did he support that contradicted his promise for social change?

2. What characterized the appointees he made to his administration? Did he support candidates that would have promoted social and economic reform?

3. Discuss the significance of the Waco massacre in1993.

4. What was Clinton’s policy on the Prison system? What is the significance of the Crime Bill passed in 1996? What are the conditions of the cities that the majority of those in prison are a product of?

5. Discuss the anti-immigrant crusade of the 1990s, what new legislation was passed under the Clinton Administration? What was the Anti Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996?

6. What characterized Clintons welfare reform policies, Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996? Where did he stand on Job Creation?

7. What contradiction lies in the justification of standing against “Big Government” for cutting welfare and social services?

8. Why is rising inflation a concern for Alan Greenspan and the Clinton administration as discussed by Zinn?

9. Who paid the price for a balanced budget during the Clinton Administration?

10. What is the United States role in international arms sales?

11. Discuss Clinton’s foreign policy. Somalia (1993), Rwanda (1993), East Timor, Indonesia (1993-94 to present day?), Turkey, China and Cuba (1998) What was the Human Rights Watch reports findings in 1996?

12. Discuss the significance of NAFTA.

13. What was Clinton’s response to the bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998?

14. What is the significance of Clinton’s near impeachment for infidelity as opposed to policies that impact large populations domestically and abroad?

15. For administrations that choose to invest heavily in military and military solutions to human problems, who are the casualties of these wars, what ideas are the casualties and alternative political solutions are the casualties of war?

16. Who benefitted from the traditional government policies of the 1970s – 1990s? 17. Who did not benefit in terms of having basic needs met, life expectancy, income, education and employment opportunity?

18. What needs to take place in order to create a nation in which class differences in terms of basic needs being met and equal opportunities might be possible?