Blog 14

1.      Read online bio's of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices. What do you find interesting about their backgrounds? Pick one of the Justices, read about cases this Justice has written (majority or dissent) and explain whether you agree or disagree with his/her judicial philosophy.

I did my research on Samuel Alito. He was the 100^th U.S Justice that received his undergraduate degree at Princeton and earned his law degree at Yale. He clerked for Judge Leonard Garth of the Third District. His was the sole dissent in a 1991 decision overruling a Pennsylvania law which restricted abortion. The Supreme Court upheld the lower court decision (6-3) with O'Connor co-writing the majority opinion with Anthony Kennedy and David Souter.

 

2.      Is Judicial Review a power that should be exercised regularly or sparingly? Why?

Judicial Review is the authority of courts to declare laws passed by Congress and acts of the executive branch to be unconstitutional. I feel that the courts are doing a good job with judicial review, therefore it should be used as it is, regularly. Judicial review has helped to strike down segregated schools in Brown v. Board of Education, as well as the anti-abortion laws of forty-seven states in Roe v. Wade, and to rule on the Michigan affirmative action cases. The Supreme Court also granted itself the power in the case of Marbury v. Madison. It seems that Judicial Review helps the nation, so that Congress does not make laws that are unconstitutional

 

3.      Is it the job of the High Court to apply the Constitution in light of the intent of the framers of the Constitution (strict construction) or should they interpret the Constitution in light of changes in society/technology (living Constitution)? Why?

I do feel that times have changed since the framers were around, so the living Constitution may be better, because it would reflect a time of changes in society and technology. Most of everything has changed since the framers wrote the constitution. I don’t think the constitution needs to be redone, but rather added to.

 

 

Blog 13

1.      Research federal agencies and explain which one you feel is the most important one and why?

In my opinion, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is one of the most important federal agencies among us today. The United States Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the U.S. federal government which was created for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. The EPA deals with issues of concern to the environment or public safety. The environment is the most important assets of this world.

2.      Which federal agency could be terminated with the least impact (if any) and why?

In my perspective the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has back fired and needs to be abolished. We need to start worrying about ourselves and put the United States America first.The MCC was created to provide international assistance to some of the poorest countries in the world. Since 2004, MCC has been creating partnerships with impoverished countries, but only with those countries “committed to good governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizens.”
Some of these partners are countries like Jordan to which we pledged $275 million more to in October 2010, and Morocco, which got a 5-year, $700 million deal in 2007 all via the MCC. Both of these countries have recently seen protests due to the human rights and economic abuses of their leader. Good investment strategy.

3.      Are any new agencies needed? In other words, if you were president would you create new agencies? If so, in what area(s)?

I think there is way too many at this point in time. Everything we could think of is regulated in some sort of way. If I were president I would slack down on federal agencies that have less needed roles such as the ATF or Indian Affairs.

I commented on Jordan chambers, Cece Cooper, Jamie Bond’s blog.

Blog 12

1.      What makes a great President (not which Presidents have been great) . . . what qualities are essential to greatness? Why?

Presidents are judged by their ability to implement policies. We like to rank our presidents based upon “greatness”. Therefore, policy vision is a huge asset along with communication skills/negotiation skills. Don’t forget the effective use of the powers the president is entitled to.

2.      Other than Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, which two Presidents have been the greatest and why?

John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson were two great presidents. JFK accomplished landing a man on the moon, brought upon Peace Corps, and emphasized public service. LBJ accomplished the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination in employment or in use of public facilities.

3.      Research a President that you're previously unfamiliar with - list at least three things you learned. Was this President effective? Why or why not?

John Tyler is a president I am not too familiar with, but he annexed Texas from Mexico, and died a traitor to the United States. He was the most unpopular man in office. He was the first president to become from another president dying.

 

Chapter 11 Blog

Tennessee is a U.S. state with two senators in the United States Senate and nine representatives in the United States House of Representatives. Each state elects two senators for staggered 6-year terms. Senators represent the entire state. Lamar Alexander serves as the senior senator, and Bob Corker as the junior senator. The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts — 9 in Tennessee — each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the House for a two-year term. Representatives are also called congressman/congresswomen my congressman is Charles “Chuck” Fleishmann in the 3^rd district.

Rep. Fleischmann has always been a firm supporter of 2nd Amendment rights. He has received an “A” rating from the interest groups "National Rifle Association Political Fund Positions on Gun Rights" and "Gun Owners of America Positions on Gun Rights". He supports legislation that “allows licensed firearm owners to carry out their God-given right more freely” because “the right to carry a firearm is a right that allows law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and is crucial to the freedom of our country.” On November 16, 2011 Fleischmann voted Yea on the “National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011, which would allow a resident of a state that allows concealed carry to possess a firearm while visiting another state that has different firearm laws.

I have to disagree with Stephen Fincher for backing food stamp cuts. He used the Bible to argue for food-stamp cuts, saying that Scripture points out that those unwilling to work will not eat. I believe food stamps help people in dire need, but food stamps are abused just like drugs. But the people are to blame, not food stamps. I have witnessed people load up the truck with mountain dew that they purchased with food stamps and turn around and sell it to a gas station down the road for cash. Food stamps are uplifting, but easily abused.

 

Chapter 10 Blog Assignment

              The presidential election of 2000 came down to Florida’s electoral votes. The candidate who won the state’s electoral votes would win the election. The early counts were close, due to the closeness of the race, and automatic machine recount took place. Bush led Gore by 537 votes out of 6 million cast. Gore went to state court in Florida, asking for a hand recount. Bush then filed a suit in federal court, claiming that the standards of the intent of the voter that Florida used , which could mean different standard by different officials, was so arbitrary as to violate the equal protection clause. Bush ended up winning the election and Gore never got his recount.I believe that a recount was needed for further confirmation, especially when the election is down to one state. Also, out of 6 million voters, Bush was only ahead by 537 votes according to the automatic machine. I personally do not fully trust electronics yet. A hand count would have been more appropriate.

 

                No one could run for president without funding. Huge sums inject inequalities into presidential campaigns, as it seems candidates who lack personal fortunes and established fundraising operations are less likely to be able to compete. I think better candidates want to run but refuse to confront the criticism elections can uphold.

 

                Personally I have never voted, I don’t feel influenced to vote. It is our right, but I choose not vote until a candidate truly interests me. So far not one candidate has earned my vote. I look back at our past presidents, wondering where the great men like those men are at in the United States that we live in today. Most teens vote because their parents vote. This Results in that teenager following their parent by voting Republican or Democratic. If parents do not vote, then the teenager will not be influenced either. I believe many families are like this.

 

 

Chapter 8

1.      From figure 8.1 in the text, select one of the interest groups and do some research on their issues and beliefs. What did you learn? What did you find interesting? Do you agree/disagree with their positions on issues? Why?

NEA fights to protect academic freedom at both the campus and government levels, to ensure protection for the faculty and quality for the student. There are several issues that are continuously relevant to the NEA, such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). I believe the NEA is a great interest group that supports education.

2.      Find an interest group with which you associate (positively). What is the name of the group and what do you find persuasive about their position on issues?

I think the NEA is an interest group that I positively agree with. This group focuses on academic freedom and the group has taken huge steps over the years to protect education and educators. The NEA was birthed to fight for the rights of both children and educators. It is the largest professional organization and largest labor union in the United States.

3.      Do interest groups have enough/too much/the right amount of power in the political system? Most believe it's a fine-line balance between freedom of speech for the groups and keeping unfair persuasion out of government. Where is that line and when is it crossed?

I think interest groups have the right amount of power in the political system. They are a more effective way to influence politics and act to achieve balance. They can only have too much power if they take it from others without their will, like a union. They can have too little power if they are suppressed from gaining power. If I want to protect my individual right to keep and bear arms then I would support the NRA before depending on a candidate or party about my concerns.

 

 

I commented on Ronald Payne's, Adrian Arthur's, and Dara Cates's blog.

 

Chapter 7

I think that news media about politics are very objective and biased against opposing candidates. They will tell you what you want to hear rather than the truthful information, but the public needs to know the right information instead of someone’s biased comments. Fox and MSNBC seem to be more biased and CNN is more objective.

Public talk radio is largely dominated by conservatives because they are more popular. No liberal shows are even close to the popularity of the top-rated conservative programs. Rush Limbaugh is the best known conservative commentators. Liberals tried to use talk radio but failed.

Yes, media objectivity is important. The media has great power in a democracy. Most Americans get their news from media rather than from other people or sources. Most journalist use objective reporting which is more of a descriptive writing. It provides the public with a view from the journalist’s mind.