Which theme do the two passages have in common?
The political party system has
historically posed significant
difficulties for democratic
societies.
Giving too much authority to
any person or group of people
can lead to corruption and the
abuse of power
The broad powers granted to
Congress make the legislative
branch the most powerful
branch of the U. S.
government
Shifting the balance of power
between the branches of the
U. S. government, which
requires a Constitutional
amendment, is overly
complicated.

Which word best describes the author's tone in this excerpt from "that spot" by jack london? i don’t think much of stephen mackaye any more, though i used to swear by him. i know that in those days i loved him more than my own brother. if ever i meet stephen mackaye again, i shall not be responsible for my actions. it passes beyond me that a man with whom i shared food and blanket, and with whom i mushed over the chilcoot trail, should turn out the way he did. i always sized steve up as a square man, a kindly comrade, without an iota of anything vindictive or malicious in his nature. i shall never trust my judgment in men again. why, i nursed that man through typhoid fever; we starved together on the headwaters of the stewart; and he saved my life on the little salmon. and now, after the years we were together, all i can say of stephen mackaye is that he is the meanest man i ever knew. a. excited b. ironic c. indignant d. playful