Connections:
1. The episode brings up the major court case of Roe vs. Wade.
2. Marriage is an example of an enumerated power.
3. The episode also mentions the right to privacy.
4. The President selects judges that have the same party affiliation or view points as him.
5. The candidates for judge positions were interviewed before they were appointed.
6. A candidate must be approved by the Senate.
7. Justices are usually replaced by the same gender.
8. Brown vs. Board of education ended with the result that schools should not be segregated.
Questions:
1. At what age are judges often asked to retire?
2. Are all candidates interviewed or just the best?
3. What types of questions are judges asked while being interviewed?
4. What pros and cons could there be for judges to have a life term?
5. On average, how long does the process of replacing a judge take?
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Federalist No. 78
Quotes
1. "...in a government in which they are separated from eachother, the judiciary, from the nature of its functions, will always be the least dangerous to the political rights of the Constitution." - I chose this quote because it shows how the Judicial branch cannot be intruded by political parties and must do everything constitutionally.
2. "it may truly be said to have neither FORCE nor WILL, but merely judgement; and must ultimately depend upon the aid of the executive arm even for the efficacy of its judgments." - This quote shows how the judicial branch cannot enforce any laws, they simply judge based on them.
3. "They ought to regulate their decisions by the fundamental laws, rather than by those which are not fundamental." - This quote tells that the Judicial branch must make their rulings based on constitutional laws rather than personal beliefs.
4. "A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the legislative body." - This quote is telling how the judges must use the constitution as a basis for all rulings which they make, and for any laws regarding the legislative branch.
5. "...all judges who may be appointed by the United States are to hold their offices DURING GOOD BEHAVIOR; which is conformable to the most approved of the state constitutions and among the rest, to that of the state." - This quote is describing how all judges that are appointed by the United States will serve life-terms in their position.
Questions.
1. How do the three branches differ, considering the fact that judges serve life terms?
2. Is it clearly evident that the Judicial branch is the least powerful of the three branches?
3. If Hamilton were alive today, would he be pleased with the way we follow the Constitution?
4. Are judges believed to have the most responsibility for protecting the rights of citizens?
5. How would Hamilton respond to some of our key court cases if he were here today? Would he agree or disagree with some of the decisions that have been made?
4.
1. "...in a government in which they are separated from eachother, the judiciary, from the nature of its functions, will always be the least dangerous to the political rights of the Constitution." - I chose this quote because it shows how the Judicial branch cannot be intruded by political parties and must do everything constitutionally.
2. "it may truly be said to have neither FORCE nor WILL, but merely judgement; and must ultimately depend upon the aid of the executive arm even for the efficacy of its judgments." - This quote shows how the judicial branch cannot enforce any laws, they simply judge based on them.
3. "They ought to regulate their decisions by the fundamental laws, rather than by those which are not fundamental." - This quote tells that the Judicial branch must make their rulings based on constitutional laws rather than personal beliefs.
4. "A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the legislative body." - This quote is telling how the judges must use the constitution as a basis for all rulings which they make, and for any laws regarding the legislative branch.
5. "...all judges who may be appointed by the United States are to hold their offices DURING GOOD BEHAVIOR; which is conformable to the most approved of the state constitutions and among the rest, to that of the state." - This quote is describing how all judges that are appointed by the United States will serve life-terms in their position.
Questions.
1. How do the three branches differ, considering the fact that judges serve life terms?
2. Is it clearly evident that the Judicial branch is the least powerful of the three branches?
3. If Hamilton were alive today, would he be pleased with the way we follow the Constitution?
4. Are judges believed to have the most responsibility for protecting the rights of citizens?
5. How would Hamilton respond to some of our key court cases if he were here today? Would he agree or disagree with some of the decisions that have been made?
4.
Federalist No. 78
Quotes
1. "...in a government in which they are separated from eachother, the judiciary, from the nature of its functions, will always be the least dangerous to the political rights of the Constitution." - I chose this quote because it shows how the Judicial branch cannot be intruded by political parties and must do everything constitutionally.
2. "it may truly be said to have neither FORCE nor WILL, but merely judgement; and must ultimately depend upon the aid of the executive arm even for the efficacy of its judgments." - This quote shows how the judicial branch cannot enforce any laws, they simply judge based on them.
3. "They ought to regulate their decisions by the fundamental laws, rather than by those which are not fundamental." - This quote tells that the Judicial branch must make their rulings based on constitutional laws rather than personal beliefs.
4. "A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the legislative body." - This quote is telling how the judges must use the constitution as a basis for all rulings which they make, and for any laws regarding the legislative branch.
5. "...all judges who may be appointed by the United States are to hold their offices DURING GOOD BEHAVIOR; which is conformable to the most approved of the state constitutions and among the rest, to that of the state." - This quote is describing how all judges that are appointed by the United States will serve life-terms in their position.
Questions.
1. How do the three branches differ, considering the fact that judges serve life terms?
2. Is it clearly evident that the Judicial branch is the least powerful of the three branches?
3. If Hamilton were alive today, would he be pleased with the way we follow the Constitution?
4. Are judges believed to have the most responsibility for protecting the rights of citizens?
5. How would Hamilton respond to some of our key court cases if he were here today? Would he agree or disagree with some of the decisions that have been made?
4.
1. "...in a government in which they are separated from eachother, the judiciary, from the nature of its functions, will always be the least dangerous to the political rights of the Constitution." - I chose this quote because it shows how the Judicial branch cannot be intruded by political parties and must do everything constitutionally.
2. "it may truly be said to have neither FORCE nor WILL, but merely judgement; and must ultimately depend upon the aid of the executive arm even for the efficacy of its judgments." - This quote shows how the judicial branch cannot enforce any laws, they simply judge based on them.
3. "They ought to regulate their decisions by the fundamental laws, rather than by those which are not fundamental." - This quote tells that the Judicial branch must make their rulings based on constitutional laws rather than personal beliefs.
4. "A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the legislative body." - This quote is telling how the judges must use the constitution as a basis for all rulings which they make, and for any laws regarding the legislative branch.
5. "...all judges who may be appointed by the United States are to hold their offices DURING GOOD BEHAVIOR; which is conformable to the most approved of the state constitutions and among the rest, to that of the state." - This quote is describing how all judges that are appointed by the United States will serve life-terms in their position.
Questions.
1. How do the three branches differ, considering the fact that judges serve life terms?
2. Is it clearly evident that the Judicial branch is the least powerful of the three branches?
3. If Hamilton were alive today, would he be pleased with the way we follow the Constitution?
4. Are judges believed to have the most responsibility for protecting the rights of citizens?
5. How would Hamilton respond to some of our key court cases if he were here today? Would he agree or disagree with some of the decisions that have been made?
4.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
2000 Election and the Supreme Court
Facts
1. The court ruled 5-4 in favor of Bush.
2. The election was decided under the Rhenquist Court.
3. On December 8th, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that a manual recount was required by law.
4. The courts decision in Bush vs. Gore did have two fundamental virtues.
5. Minimalism was on full display in the courts two rulings during the election.
6. On December 9th, the Supreme Court issued a stay of the decision of the Florida Supreme Court.
7. Bush vs. Gore was actually the fourth intervention by the U.S. Supreme Court.
8. The courts decision lacked any basis in precedent.
Questions:
1. What are the effects/risks that come from minimalism?
2. What other three cases did the Supreme Court intervene in?
3. How will the government handle a case like this in the future?
4. Were there illegal occurrences during this whole election/court case?
5. How did the court make a decision with no precedent?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
"The Common Good"
The "Common good" is a term that originated over 2000 years ago in the writings of Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero. It was defined more recently by contemporary ethicist John Rawls as "certain general conditions...that are equally to everyone's advantage." Many believe that we do not currently have the common good. I agree, however, I believe that in our society we need to work towards reaching the common good. If we can reach this common good, we will all become happier and become a better nation. Unfortunately, it is our human nature that compels us to be quite selfish and look out for only our individual gain.
This article lists many different examples of common goods, including accessible and affordable public health care system, an effective system of public safety and security, peace among the nations of the world, a just legal and political system, an unpolluted natural environment, and a flourishing economic system. All of these common goods that are listed are surely not impossible to reach, but in our nations current state, seem quite unreasonable. I believe that if we actually tried to reach the common good, we could potentially fix our health care system, work towards becoming a safer nation, and use less gas and produce less pollution for the environment. The only issues that I see are with the nations having peace and the economy. Our economy is in such a bad place that we don't even know how to get out of it. The economy will be in a recession for quite a while, and will take time to get back to being flourished. As far as the nations having peace, I never believe every nation will have peace. There will forever be wars fought around the world, and there will always be threats from country to country.
I believe that our nation is could definitely benefit from having the common good, but I think we are too far away from ever reaching it.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Politician Check-up #2
BOB CASEY
For my second politician, I chose to follow senator Bob Casey. Since January 8th, 2007, Casey has only missed 4 of 1,540 roll call votes.
- Bob Casey has sponsored 174 bills since January 4th, 2007, of which 170 haven't made it out of committee and none were successfully enacted. Casey has also co-sponsored 736 bills during the same time period.
--Some of Casey's sponsored bills include:
-Fallen Heroes act of 9/11
- Computer science education act of 2011
For my second politician, I chose to follow senator Bob Casey. Since January 8th, 2007, Casey has only missed 4 of 1,540 roll call votes.
- Bob Casey has sponsored 174 bills since January 4th, 2007, of which 170 haven't made it out of committee and none were successfully enacted. Casey has also co-sponsored 736 bills during the same time period.
--Some of Casey's sponsored bills include:
-Fallen Heroes act of 9/11
- Computer science education act of 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
2000 Election Film
Facts:
1. The way that Floridians voted in 2000 was by punching out chads.
2. Katherine Harris was the Secretary of State during the election.
3. The deadline for the recount to end was December 12th.
4. The supreme court ruled 5-4 in favor of ending the recount, giving Bush the presidency.
5. Gore had verbally stated that he had lost to Bush, but took back his statement in order to fight for a recount.
6. Gore advisers wanted dimple chads to be counted in the recount.
7. Only counties which the candidates asked to be recounted were recounted.
8. Florida's 25 electoral votes would have given either candidate the presidency.
Questions:
1. Would a re-vote in the state of Florida been more efficient than a recount?
2. Were Americans treated fairly, not knowing who their president was for over a month?
3. How long would an all out manual recount have taken?
4. How is the presidency decided if there is a tie?
5. Who was put in charge of the country during the recount?
6. Did the police let the protesters in the building, knowing that it would slow the recount?
7. Could a county have denied to recount the votes in the first place?
8. Is it possible that an incident like this could occur in our future? Or have we cleared up any issues that could reoccur?
1. The way that Floridians voted in 2000 was by punching out chads.
2. Katherine Harris was the Secretary of State during the election.
3. The deadline for the recount to end was December 12th.
4. The supreme court ruled 5-4 in favor of ending the recount, giving Bush the presidency.
5. Gore had verbally stated that he had lost to Bush, but took back his statement in order to fight for a recount.
6. Gore advisers wanted dimple chads to be counted in the recount.
7. Only counties which the candidates asked to be recounted were recounted.
8. Florida's 25 electoral votes would have given either candidate the presidency.
Questions:
1. Would a re-vote in the state of Florida been more efficient than a recount?
2. Were Americans treated fairly, not knowing who their president was for over a month?
3. How long would an all out manual recount have taken?
4. How is the presidency decided if there is a tie?
5. Who was put in charge of the country during the recount?
6. Did the police let the protesters in the building, knowing that it would slow the recount?
7. Could a county have denied to recount the votes in the first place?
8. Is it possible that an incident like this could occur in our future? Or have we cleared up any issues that could reoccur?
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Health Care Post 2
I know that there are many issues in the government, many of which cannot be resolved. One issue that I am really interested is the dislike between the Democratic and Republican parties. Not only do these two parties dislike one another, I feel that the government and certain bills are very divided because of affiliation. On the topic of healthcare, although Obamacare would do positive things to our economy, it is being shot down immediately by Republicans. They don't want to try and see the good that it could do, they are just blinded by party affiliation that it is immediately blocked out.
One major thing that Obamacare is said to do is to reduce the number of uninsured residents by 32 million. This is taking a major step in the right direction, working to help everyone achieve the goal of having healthcare. However, if Republicans cant see the good that this bill is doing just because the person who proposed it is a Democrat, then surely the government is flawed. This is how I view the topic of party affiliation with regards to the healthcare reform. Now maybe I am wrong, and the Republicans do actually see flaws in this bill, but it is shown throughout history that legislature doesn't get passed if an opposing party passes it.
One major thing that Obamacare is said to do is to reduce the number of uninsured residents by 32 million. This is taking a major step in the right direction, working to help everyone achieve the goal of having healthcare. However, if Republicans cant see the good that this bill is doing just because the person who proposed it is a Democrat, then surely the government is flawed. This is how I view the topic of party affiliation with regards to the healthcare reform. Now maybe I am wrong, and the Republicans do actually see flaws in this bill, but it is shown throughout history that legislature doesn't get passed if an opposing party passes it.
2000 Election Reading
Pre-Reading Questions:
1. How long would an official recount actually take?
2. Would keeping the citizens in suspense after an election cause riots or violence?
3. How long could an election stay undecided?
4. How close does an election need to be for a recount to occur?
5. Did the candidates partake in the court preceding's?
Facts/Details:
1. The butterfly ballot was used in Palm Beach, where candidates names are in two columns and punch holes are in the middle.
2. Gore sought out a manual recount of all "undervotes" in four heavily democratic counties.
3. Katherine Harris was Secretary of the State at the time of the election.
4. The election was decided by a 5-4 vote in the Supreme Court.
5. Florida's self imposed deadline was December 12th.
Post-Reading Questions:
1. How can the government change the system so this doesn't happen in the future?
2. Which are more accurate, machine or manual recounts?
3. Who was expected to win the state of Florida?
4. Did anyone expect that the election would be this close?
5. How would the recount have differed if Florida was given more time?
1. How long would an official recount actually take?
2. Would keeping the citizens in suspense after an election cause riots or violence?
3. How long could an election stay undecided?
4. How close does an election need to be for a recount to occur?
5. Did the candidates partake in the court preceding's?
Facts/Details:
1. The butterfly ballot was used in Palm Beach, where candidates names are in two columns and punch holes are in the middle.
2. Gore sought out a manual recount of all "undervotes" in four heavily democratic counties.
3. Katherine Harris was Secretary of the State at the time of the election.
4. The election was decided by a 5-4 vote in the Supreme Court.
5. Florida's self imposed deadline was December 12th.
Post-Reading Questions:
1. How can the government change the system so this doesn't happen in the future?
2. Which are more accurate, machine or manual recounts?
3. Who was expected to win the state of Florida?
4. Did anyone expect that the election would be this close?
5. How would the recount have differed if Florida was given more time?
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Health care post 1
Everyone knows that our economy is in a really bad place at the moment. Unemployment rates are high, people are losing there homes, but what is really important is health care. Something that is taken for granted in our life. If you get sick, you go to the doctor, you get hurt badly, you go to the hospital. Most people just take those things for granted and don't really see how much it is affecting people around us. However, health care is a much bigger problem then we really see.
In my opinion, I feel as if there should be a universal health care system. It is our governments duty to protect its citizens, and this includes keeping them healthy. Even though there are poor people out there, its not like they are going to take advantage of the health care system. If people are in need of a doctor they should be able to go to the doctor for free and not worry about if they are insured and how much it is going to cost if they are not insured. In 2005, the number of uninsured Americans was at an all time high of 46.6 million. This means that every time those 46 million people get sick or have to go to the doctor they have to worry about how much it will cost them and if they will be able to afford it. I feel that if we had a health care system that was paid for and run by the government, there would be not as many issues and worries about our health and being insured.
Politician Check-up
I chose to check up on Republican Senator Mike Lee from Utah. Since January 25, 2011, Lee has sponsored 5 bills, 2 of which haven't made it out of committee, and none were successfully enacted. During the same time period, he was also co-sponsored 83 bills.
Mike Lee has only missed 2 out of 166 roll call votes since January 26, 2011. (only 1%)
Mike Lee has only missed 2 out of 166 roll call votes since January 26, 2011. (only 1%)
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Faction
When Madison defines faction he calls it "a group of citizens, with interests contrary to the rights of others or the interests of the whole community." I feel that this is a good representation of what a faction is. Madison seems to have a negative view of factions and looks down upon them, recognizing that they might cause problems to the U.S. It is evident that majority factions could cause major problems, if they get too many people or too much power than minority factions would be oppressed.
1. Would the political parties of today be considered factions?
2. Are factions OK if they are kept under control?
3. How could you get rid of factions in today's government?
4. Is the government in control today? Or is the two party system too powerful?
In today's government, I believe that factions are our political parties. The two political parties that we have in our government have their own interests and are looking out for their own party, whether its in elections, or even voting on things. And I do feel as if today's political parties have gotten too powerful.
1. Would the political parties of today be considered factions?
2. Are factions OK if they are kept under control?
3. How could you get rid of factions in today's government?
4. Is the government in control today? Or is the two party system too powerful?
In today's government, I believe that factions are our political parties. The two political parties that we have in our government have their own interests and are looking out for their own party, whether its in elections, or even voting on things. And I do feel as if today's political parties have gotten too powerful.
Monday, October 10, 2011
2 Congress members I follow
Bob Casey - Democratic Party
Senator - Pennsylvania
Mike Lee - Republican Party
Senator - Utah
Senator - Pennsylvania
Mike Lee - Republican Party
Senator - Utah
Political Ideology Survery
After taking the political ideology survey, I got the result of a moderate. As a moderate, you agree with some ideas from both the Republican and Democratic parties. I feel that this is representative of myself because at times there are policies from one party that I agree with, but then others from another party that I agree with.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Democracy in America video
Facts:
1. If states didn't accept the .08 drunk driving standard, they would receive less money.
2. States can have their own limits on drunk driving standards.
3. The care for people in poverty during the great depression became a federal issue.
4. In 1996, Bill Clinton passed a bill that made welfare more of a state issue than a federal issue.
5. Welfare standards differ from state to state.
6. The U.S. was in a great depression during the 1930's.
7. Single parent homes were on the rise in the 1990's.
8. Poorer states, such as Mississippi, provide only minimal care for impoverished people.
9. South Carolina refused to have the drunk driving standard be .08.
10. Drunk drivers are the cause of about 40% of car accidents.
Questions:
1. What are some conflicts between state and federal governments?
2. Who should decide what animals stay in their state?
3. In what way does Idahos wolf problem connect to state vs federal issues?
4. If the wolves are endangered, why would they kill them just to remove them?
5. Should drunk driving standards vary from state to state?
6. Should there be a unified drunk driving standard?
7. Is the government abusing their power in Idaho?
8. Should welfare be a state or federal issue?
9. If people continue to abuse the welfare system, should less funding go into it?
10. Should people be forced off of welfare if they are abusing the system?
1. If states didn't accept the .08 drunk driving standard, they would receive less money.
2. States can have their own limits on drunk driving standards.
3. The care for people in poverty during the great depression became a federal issue.
4. In 1996, Bill Clinton passed a bill that made welfare more of a state issue than a federal issue.
5. Welfare standards differ from state to state.
6. The U.S. was in a great depression during the 1930's.
7. Single parent homes were on the rise in the 1990's.
8. Poorer states, such as Mississippi, provide only minimal care for impoverished people.
9. South Carolina refused to have the drunk driving standard be .08.
10. Drunk drivers are the cause of about 40% of car accidents.
Questions:
1. What are some conflicts between state and federal governments?
2. Who should decide what animals stay in their state?
3. In what way does Idahos wolf problem connect to state vs federal issues?
4. If the wolves are endangered, why would they kill them just to remove them?
5. Should drunk driving standards vary from state to state?
6. Should there be a unified drunk driving standard?
7. Is the government abusing their power in Idaho?
8. Should welfare be a state or federal issue?
9. If people continue to abuse the welfare system, should less funding go into it?
10. Should people be forced off of welfare if they are abusing the system?
Constitution Responses
1. As the Constitution states, the president must be a natural born citizen. How do you feel about this?
In my opinion, I agree with this statement. I believe that if someone is going to have the immense responsibility of running a country, they must be born in the country which they are running. I'm not saying that I have anything against foreigners in politics, but I feel that the person in charge should be natural born. This policy helps us to stay away from favoritism in foreign policy. For example, if the president were foreign, he would feel an obligation to aid his home country. Therefore, the president should be natural born.
2. Is it possible the founding fathers included nothing about gay marriage in the Constitution because they would've never guessed that people would even try to do that?
Back when the Constitution was being written, things were more uniform and not as diverse. The nation was run by white protestant men, and marriage was defined as man and woman. I do not believe that the founding fathers ever would have thought that people would even consider homosexuality. People were very religious in the time period that this was being written, so I don't think that their religion would even allow gay marriage to occur, nor would people go against the church to attempt it.
In my opinion, I agree with this statement. I believe that if someone is going to have the immense responsibility of running a country, they must be born in the country which they are running. I'm not saying that I have anything against foreigners in politics, but I feel that the person in charge should be natural born. This policy helps us to stay away from favoritism in foreign policy. For example, if the president were foreign, he would feel an obligation to aid his home country. Therefore, the president should be natural born.
2. Is it possible the founding fathers included nothing about gay marriage in the Constitution because they would've never guessed that people would even try to do that?
Back when the Constitution was being written, things were more uniform and not as diverse. The nation was run by white protestant men, and marriage was defined as man and woman. I do not believe that the founding fathers ever would have thought that people would even consider homosexuality. People were very religious in the time period that this was being written, so I don't think that their religion would even allow gay marriage to occur, nor would people go against the church to attempt it.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Federalist No. 10
Questions for Madison:
1. How would you go about controlling the effects of factions?
2. How do you know that the two methods stated will truly cure the "mischief's of faction?"
3. If every citizen had the same opinions, passions, and interests, wouldn't it take away our individuality?
4. Are many different opinions bad, or does it help us in the long run?
5. How would government differ if there were no minority or majority? If there was an equal amount of each party?
"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 felt that if every citizen has the same opinions, passions, and interests than it would take away our individuality or our own beliefs towards this.
"The public good is disregarded in the conflicts of the rival parties." - It seems that parties only care to fight with one another, rather than take the public's good into mind.
"There are two methods of curing the mischief's of faction: the one by removing its causes, the other, by controlling its effects." - Although Madison says there are only two ways to remove factions, I wonder if there are other ways that we just cant think of?
"It is in vain to say that enlightened statesmen will be able to adjust these clashing interests, and render them all subservient to the public good." - This quote is saying that if one is elected to a state position, he has the ability to make changes but only for the public good.
"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." - I was just curious as to if we control the effects of factions properly, can it in turn lead to the removal of the causes?
Federalist No. 51
Questions for Madison:
1. Why is independence amount different branch members so important in government?
2. Is society and government designed for the rich and powerful to dominate?
3. What did you want to accomplish by writing this paper?
4. How will each branch protect themselves from future encroachments?
5. How does the government reflect human nature?
"It is equally evident, that the members of each department should be as little dependent as possible on those of the others..." - I chose this quote because it talks about how each branch of government must be separate and worry about its own duties, not others.
"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this : you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself." - I felt this was important because not only is the government needed to control everyone in it, but it also must control itself so everything runs smoothly.
"But it is not possible to give to each department an equal power of self defense." - This quote proves how each branch cannot be equal and will never be equal, there is obviously some above others.
"...it is evident that each department should have a will of its own..." - I chose this excerpt from the passage because it shows how separate powers are needed in order to make the government as fair as possible.
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary." - Madison just comes right out and says that mankind is not perfect, therefore we need a government to lay down the laws by which we live by.
1. Why is independence amount different branch members so important in government?
2. Is society and government designed for the rich and powerful to dominate?
3. What did you want to accomplish by writing this paper?
4. How will each branch protect themselves from future encroachments?
5. How does the government reflect human nature?
"It is equally evident, that the members of each department should be as little dependent as possible on those of the others..." - I chose this quote because it talks about how each branch of government must be separate and worry about its own duties, not others.
"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this : you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself." - I felt this was important because not only is the government needed to control everyone in it, but it also must control itself so everything runs smoothly.
"But it is not possible to give to each department an equal power of self defense." - This quote proves how each branch cannot be equal and will never be equal, there is obviously some above others.
"...it is evident that each department should have a will of its own..." - I chose this excerpt from the passage because it shows how separate powers are needed in order to make the government as fair as possible.
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary." - Madison just comes right out and says that mankind is not perfect, therefore we need a government to lay down the laws by which we live by.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Similie
The check and balance system and separation of powers are like the organ systems of the body. They all have separate jobs, but are intertwined to help each other and make sure each system is doing the right thing. They connect to separation of powers because they all have different functions and responsibilities they must carry out in order for the body (government) to run smoothly. Each system could not survive without the others. They all come together to make sure each is and every system is running smoothly.
Political Cartoon #2
Questions:
1. Should Congress pass Obama's jobs bill?
2. If passed, do you think the bill will help or will it make no difference?
3. Is it possible for this bill to do more harm then good?
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