Given what the lectures have talked about--in terms of the conformation process, the role of the Court, the power of the Court, etc--do you think the fights over the confirmations of Merrick Garland/Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, and the idea of Court packing in general, represent a risk to the Court's influence on American politics? Why or why not? Given what you've learned about public opinion, is it a valid representation of the public's will or simply another tool for control of the public by elites? Explain In what ways do you think the likelihood of certain groups voting or not voting at different rates impacts the attention played by elected officials/policymaking? Is it good or bad that we only have two (major) parties in the United States? Are interest groups beneficial or harmful to our political society?