Response to Constitution questions

1.  Concerning Bridgett's question about the use of a modern day militia in my opinion they can be used for many things.  Some of them being to defend American soil, help the state's police with riots, or even patrolling the borders of our country.  The National Guard also has helped states during environmental disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.  I believe there is still a use for them and that they are a much needed part of our country's defense. 

2.  Regarding Ben's question about why the founding fathers made it difficult to change amendments because they didn't the liberties of the people to be subject to the whims of a political party or any branch of government.  They also assure that there is continuity in the nation regarding rights and liberties.  If the founding fathers made them too easy to change then amendments would constantly be changing in favor of whoever has a majority in the government. 

Federalist #51

Questions: 

1. Do you think three branches of government is adequate?
2. Do you think a federal government doubles the security of citizens' rights?
3. By giving the legislative branch more authority can the other branches effectively check it?
4. Do you think that the beliefs of different parties are protected under federalism?
5. In your opinion are the different branches of government independent from each other?

Quotes:

1.  "It is equally evident, that the members of each department should be as little dependent as possible on those of the others, for the emoluments annexed to their offices."
This quote is interesting because they want them to be independent from each other, yet they still want them to be involved in their doings to check them.

2.  "In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates."
This is interesting because it is saying that the legislative branch is more important than the others.

3.  "First. In a single republic, all the power surrendered by the people is submitted to the administration of a single government; and the usurpations are guarded against by a division of the government into distinct and separate departments."
This outlines the securities of a federalist system very nicely.

4.  "Second. 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."
This is interesting because it tells the reader that not only will they protected from any opposite views they might encounter. 

5.  "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 is interesting because it is assuring the reader that a federal government can exist and can be capable of running a nation. 

Federalist #10

Questions:

1. Do they think political parties are a good or bad thing?
2. Why have the minority tax the majority?
3. Do they think people's passions should be different or the same?
4. If they are federalists why do they give examples of the flaws in a republic?
5. Do they believe that people should have equal property?

Quotes:

1.  "There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects."
This was an interesting quote because it seems like its trying to take away a person's right to protest against the government.

2.  "There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests."
I chose this because it makes me wonder whethe they are for or against factions in the government.

3.  "It could never be more truly said than of the first remedy, that it was worse than the disease."
I found this interesting because it is referencing the Article of Confederation and how there were flaws with it.

4.  "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."
This, I thought was very true because there will always be bias when one's interests are involved.

5.  "The inference to which we are brought is, that the causes of faction cannot be removed, and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its effects."
Does this mean that they can enforce laws that can hinder a person's efforts to protest, even by force?

Movie facts and questions

Facts:

1. National government imposes its will on the states.
2. Idaho argued that they should be able to decide on the return of wolves, not the national government.
3. States usually had the power to catch drunk drivers.
4. National government threatens the states by taken away funding if they do not accept national policy.
5. Devolution is when states take more power.
6. Poverty was growing even with welfare.
7. States are in charge of welfare policies.
8. Poor states can't help the people in poverty.
9. Mississippi covers less then 1/3 of children on poverty.
10. State governments provide most of everyday public services. 

Questions:

1. Should the National government be responsible for taking care of the wolves?
2. Why would the states go against national regulations?
3. Do national regulations really help?
4. Should states be pressured into a decision by the national government?
5. Should the national government be allowed to use carrot or stick methods?
6. Do you think the states should have more powers?
7. Do you think devolution happens a lot?
8. Should the National government in your opinion pass more regulations on issues that the states are usually in charge of?
9. Does the federalist system work effectively today?
10. Do you think the national government should give more powers to the states?

Simile

The American system of separation of powers and the checks and balances is like a maze, three distinct destinations with many different obstacles.  This is true because for a bill to be passed it has to go through two branches of government, the executive and the legislative.  The bill can't pass until both branches of the government can pass it and if its is passed it might be repealed by the third branch, which is the judicial branch, for being unconstitutional.  So the bill has to go through a labyrinth of processes before it can become a law.

 

political cartoon and questions #2

1. Do you think the feelings between the protestors and Wall Street will calm down soon?
2. Do you think this is an accurate view of the current view on Wall Street?
3. Do you think the people will ever fully trust Wall Street again?

Responses to Christine T's questions

Regarding question 17 I believe that American pride, no matter what the situation it is a good thing.  I believe this because we are a nation that supports differences and values many different heritages, but sometimes the people don't relate themselves with being an American citizen instead they associate themselves with their heritage and they become bitter with the nation.  When an incident occurs that makes people forget about their past and celebrate who they really are then I think that is better. 

Regarding question 18 in my opinion "E Pluribus Unum" is stating that the nation was founding by many different people and that they were able to come together and decide on one government to rule over all of them.  Also once decisions are made the entire country which is composed of many different states and ideas puts all of its energy in to achieving that goal an example would be fighting in World War II.