fandomhigh | US Government (Wednesday, Sept. 6, 4th period)

Josh stopped doing what seemed to be a highly choreographed dance of joy as he read through a sheet of papers when students began arriving.

"Welcome to US Government. I'm Josh Lyman and up until January I was the deputy chief of staff for President Josiah Bartlet. You may all be suitably impressed now." He looked around the room. "Good."

"This is a class about how the US government works, or on occasion, comes to a screeching, painful halt. I've worked in both the legislative and executive branches and worked extensively with the judicial branch as well, so I'm very excited to bring my wealth of knowledge of all things government to your eager young minds."

He took a sip of coffee. "Okay, maybe I'm not excited, and maybe you're not eager, but work with me here, people. Knowing how the government works is part of your responsibility as Americans. Um, if you are Americans. If you're not, learning about the government of this completely other country is a fascinating hobby that will get you lots of dates." He raised an eyebrow. "Really.

"This class will focus mostly on the federal government and how it operates because I'm running the class and find all things dealing with state and local politics to be stupefyingly boring." He held up a hand. "You might have other opinions, but I, well, don't care that much."

He handed around copies of the class syllabus. "As it says so clearly at the top of the page, today we discuss why you should care about government. Now I know why I care about the government, but explain to me why you care at all what bills the House of Representatives is debating, or who sits on the Supreme Court. Or who's elected President, or governor, or to the local school board." He waved his hand. "Or if you don't, explain that too."

He sat down at his desk and pointed at random to a student. "You. Name, class, why you care about government."

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Peter had to think for a bit before giving his answer. "Government is important because it provides security for the subjects - err citizens of a country. A good government protects them and allows them to go about their daily lives without fear of invasion or bandits or the impulsiveness or cruelty of the government itself." He thought again. "Government should be stable, but nimble enough to respond to changing circumstances as you can't always predict an invasion or famine. It also should have no official position on the seasons."

"And I'm a junior," Peter added hastily, remembering the question about his class.

"And British?" Josh guessed. He'd caught the "subject" slip. "Have you had problems with official positions on the seasons recently?" he asked, looking a little confused. "I don't think I caught that in the Times."

"Originally British, yes," Peter agreed with a nod. "But I live in another place now. Before about four years ago, there was a Queen who made it always winter and never Christmas." He glanced towards Willow. "Nor any other winter holiday."

Josh blinked. "...as you do," he said. He looked at the rest of the class. "Sometimes governments do really, really stupid things."

Peter nodded. "She wasn't precisely a kind person. And she had magic to back up her seasonal wishes so there it is."

"There is it," Josh echoed. "Yeah, I don't have that."

"It's quite possibly a good thing," Peter said. "She ended up dead."

"I'm a big fan of not being dead," Josh said, looking a little uncomfortable. "No magic for me."

Peter smiled apologetically. "I'm sure you wouldn't use your magic to oppress a country so perhaps you'd be safe."

Josh chuckled ruefully. "I don't have that kind of luck."

Willow gave him a smile.

US Government (Wednesday, Sept. 6, 4th period)

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