Until 1821, what country governed the Western lands containing California?

All of the following factors make it likely that welfare will be a perennial issue in Texas politics except

a. the national tax policy has resulted in the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. b. the economy has little impact on the poverty rate. c. the state's immigration rate is among the highest in the country. d. the poorest of the poor have lost income and have had trouble finding jobs since the 1996 welfare reforms. e. many of the Republican officials who now dominate Texas politics have an inherent dislike of social programs.

Which of the following best describes the state of U.S. military power today?

a. No other country can rival U.S. military power and as such no other countries are making any efforts to try. b. The U.S. military is unrivaled in a range of areas even though other states, such as China and Russia, are making attempts to close the gaps. c. The United States enjoys an unrivaled position in terms of naval and air power but the Chinese land forces are stronger and better trained than the American forces. d. The economic collapse and the subsequent reductions in the U.S. military budget have allowed the Chinese to effectively negate any advantages in military power held by the United States.