Social Studies Lab

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Money Money Money

Critical Analysis

  1. Which presidential candidate has raised more money since April 1?

  2. How much money have Presidential candidates have raised since April 1 for the 2020 election?

  3. In general, how does income impact giving to presidential candidates?

  4. Why do you think that is?

  5. What most surprised you about this data?

  6. According to the U.S. Federal Election Commission, since April, over $1.8 billion has been donated by 7.6 million people. How will all that money impact American politics?

  7. Democracy means government by the people. Explain whether all this money is good for democracy.

  8. How does education level impact fundraising for presidential candidates?

  9. Why do you think that is?

  10. Where do you think most of this campaign money is spent?

  11. Based on the fundraising data, who do you think is going to win the 2020 election?

  12. According to federal law enforced by the Federal Election Commission. The maximum amount an individual may contribute to a presidential candidate is $2,800 per election. Explain how the following people would feel about this spending limit.

    • A Libertarian

    • A liberal

    • Any Presidential candidate

    • The majority in the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC ruling

    • Alexander Hamilton

    • The average K-pop fan

    • A very poor individual who wanted to donate to a candidate

    • A very wealthy individual who wanted to donate to a candidate

Visual Extension

Learning Extension

In my zip code, Biden raised money from 410 individuals and Trump raised money from 218. Pretty nifty! Use this wicked cool interactive map from the NYTimes to see who got the money from your zip code.

Action Extension

Donate money to the Trump or Biden campaign. If you don’t have money, donate time. If you don’t have time, I’m really sorry. Please don’t exceed the legal maximum donation. *The maximum amount an individual may contribute is $2,800 per election. Your contribution (up to $2,800) will be designated for the 2020 general election! You must be 18 to donate!