Democracy in America

Questions:

1. Would it be better for states to be in control of endangered species issues? Or does the federal government do a better job?

2. Is it right to "bribe" states?

3. Who decides when devolution occurs?

4. Which states have the best welfare systems?

5. Do local governments, state governments, or the federal government do more for our schools?

6. What types of things does Washington usually offer states for agreeing to their laws?

7. What are the differences between state and federal courts?

8. Which crimes are considered a state issue and which are federal issues?

9. Are local law enforcements (such as police men) controlled at the federal, state, or local level? 

10. Do public schools have their own governing bodies?

Facts:

1. The government has a legal obligation to restore endangered species. 

2. Washington often offers states money to do what they want.

3. 40% of highway crashes and deaths are caused by drunk drivers.

4. Drunk driving standard after sanctions:  .08.

5. Devolution says that power can shift in either direction.

6. Clinton transferred welfare reform to a state power.

7. We have 3 levels of government: local, state, and federal. 

8. All powers not granted to the federal government are reserved for the state.

9. The local government must be granted power by the state.

10. Our nation became less centralized in the late 20th century because more powers were given to state governments. 

Response to Constitution Question

Olivia asked: Do you think when the founding fathers said that people have the right to bear arms they could have begun to imagine how powerful and accurate guns in the future might be, should people only be allowed to have certain guns and a certain number? 


I think that this amendment was put in place at a time when society was totally different. The average citizen did not really own weapons at this time; guns were used primarily to fight the wars. Unlike today, death by firearms were virtually nonexistent. The founding fathers most likely wrote this amendment to pertain to the militias, rather than the average citizen. 
It's hard to say who is allowed to have guns and for what purpose. Hunting guns are used for hunting, yes, but they are still dangerous. There is such a fragile, thin line here. I definitely do not want guns in the hands of the wrong types of people, but who is to say only officials can own guns and not citizens? I am sure many people have guns for the sole purpose of emergency protection, which makes it difficult to decide who should be allowed to own weapons. 

Answer to US Constitution Question

Stephanie asked:  Do you think it's good that amendments can be made or do you think the constitution should be left how it was originally written? 


Without a doubt, I think it is a very good thing that amendments can be added to the Constitution. As time progresses and we develop as a society with new technology, ideas, and knowledge, our guidelines to live by undeniably shift. We have to have the ability to adapt our Constitution to the constantly changing way of life we have, otherwise the document would eventually become somewhat irrelevant. If we could not make changes and additions, the Constitution's principles would no longer be able to effectively govern us, which could ultimately result in political chaos and feuding. 
There was no way for the founding fathers to really predict the future; they wrote the Constitution based off of the issues they experienced during that time period. For not knowing how our nation would transform and develop, they certainly did a fabulous job; however, I do believe that is it a wonderful thing that we are capable of adding amendments to fit our times. 

Federalist #51

Questions for Madison:

1. Should there be separation of powers within the state governments as well as the federal government?

2. Do you think there could ever be such a thing as too much separation of powers?

3. Would it ever be appropriate for one branch to get involved in another branch's issue?

4. What does it mean to counteract one faction with another faction?

5. In today's government, is it fair to say one branch does have more power than the other two? Or, do you think they are fairly equal?

"In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates."- I wonder if this is still true and if it is a bad or good thing. 

"In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments." - What is meant by "two distinct governments?"

 "It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part." - Is this saying that internal defense is just as important as external defense?

"And happily for the republican cause, the practicable sphere may be carried to a very great extent, by a judicious modification and mixture of the federal principle." - This just makes me think about what federal principle could mean.

"...it is evident that each department should have a will of its own." - I like the way he says this. He makes a good point about how each branch should form their own opinions and not be swayed. 

Federalist #10

Questions for Madison:

1. What are some of your reasons for supporting a stronger central government?
2. Throughout our nation's history, do you believe our government has done a good job protecting against groups with interest contrary to the goals of the government?
3. Do you think internal or external factions are more of a concern in today's world?
4. What are the differences between a republic and a democracy?
5. What do you think are the roles of a state government?

'"There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects." - Is Madison saying that he thinks the only ways to prevent opposition is to control a person's liberties and freedoms?

"No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity." - I like the way he says this. It clearly explains why there needs to be a separation of powers.

"The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended." -This is a new concept for me. I always have used "republic" and "democracy" interchangeably.


"By enlarging too much the number of electors, you render the representatives too little acquainted with all their local circumstances and lesser interests; as by reducing it too much, you render him unduly attached to these, and too little fit to comprehend and pursue great and national objects." - I like this quote because it emphasizes the importance of how important it is to find the middle ground with many things pertaining to the design of a government.

"From this view of the subject it may be concluded that a pure democracy, by which I mean a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person, can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction." - Does this mean that the term "democracy" only applies to a small society?

Political Cartoon #2

1. What is this political cartoon referring to?

2. Would you agree with this message? Why or why not?

3. Explain what "trickle-down economics" means. 

Checks and Balances

Simile that represents the American system of separation of powers and checks and balances:


The American system of checks and balances is like a flower in the sense that both are very delicate and could be easily damaged. The petals of a flower work carefully to protect the inside of the plant from harmful external forces, just as the system of checks and balances and the separation of powers are designed to protect one branch from becoming too powerful. The systems are in place to keep our government, and essentially the country itself, secure, stable, and just.