INTRODUCTION
TO THE SUITS
| Spades |
Spades are members of President George W. Bush's Administration,
either Cabinet members or Advisors. The departments they lead
implement the rules and policies established by the Administration
as well as by the laws passed by the U.S. Congress, the House
of Representatives and the Senate. They are in power as appointees
of the President who is in office because of the choices made
in the 2000 Presidential election by the voters and the U.S. Supreme
Court. |
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| Hearts |
Hearts
are members of either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S.
Supreme Court. The House initiates (along with the Senate) the laws
that govern our nation. The number of House members per state is
divided roughly on its population and is limited to 435 members.
The most powerful members of the House are the Speaker, the majority
leadership and the committee chairs, which are always members of
the majority party. Chairmen of the subcommittees of Appropriations
are known as 'Cardinals' due to the power they wield over the allocation
of federal funds. House members serve for two-year terms and are
in power because you voted for them. The Supreme Court is made up
of nine justices who serve for life and are appointed by the President
as vacancies arise. They interpret and rule on the constitutionality
of laws and rules made by the Congress and Administration when issues
arise. They are in power because you voted for the President who
appointed them. |
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| Diamonds |
Diamonds are members of the U.S. Senate. There are two Senators
for each state in the union, regardless of population. After working
out differences in conference with House, the Senate passes the
legislation that becomes the "law of the land." The most powerful
Senators are the majority leadership and the committee chairs, which
are always members of the majority party. Chairmen of the subcommittees
of Appropriations are known as 'Cardinals' due to the power they
wield over the allocation of federal funds. Senators serve for six-year
terms and are in power because you voted for them. |
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| Clubs |
Clubs
are persons whose successful media activities influence public opinion
or whose organizing and lobbying activities give them influence
"behind the scenes," invisible to the public. They wield power because
you and your representatives in the Congress choose to view, listen
or read what they have to say, or because of the access they gain
through large political contributions. |
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| Jokers |
Jokers are change agents in a deck of cards. They are often called
wild cards, and can be used negatively or positively. In tarot card
decks, they signify a reversal in your fortune. In this deck they
represent your votes. In Florida's counting of the votes cast in
the 2000 Presidential election, the "hanging chad" became notorious
and many states have purchased electronic voting machines hoping
to preclude similar problems occurring in their states. There is
much discussion about whether these machines will accurately tally
and keep a record of the votes cast. With all indications currently
suggesting the 2004 Presidential race will be neck-in-neck, your
votes—and the accuracy of the count—are where the real
power lies. |
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