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.

Chapter 5 blog

I do not believe racial discrimination or private discrimination is a problem anymore. Blacks have traveled a long road to have equal civil rights. It was not long ago that Martin Luther King Jr. boycotted the Montgomery bus system because Rosa Parks refused to give her seat up to a white person, which led to her getting arrested. On the other hand, thirty percent of the United States is made up of colored people, sixty percent of those will be imprisoned. According to the Bureau of Justice statistics, one of three black men can expect to be imprisoned in their lifetime. I don’t know if this is an example of racial discrimination or if the crime rates speak for themselves, but the government has done enough to protect racial discrimination.

Women have traveled a long way since the women’s suffrage movement. Women have the same equal rights as men. They pursue the same jobs as a man would no matter how hard the labor might be. There are female state and government officials that represent the United States. Although in 2011 women made 77.4 percent of what men made. African American women earned 66.7 percent of what men earned, and Latinas made 58.7 percent of what men made. This still occurred with the Equal Pay Act and Civil Rights Act in order. The government could do more to seek out the problems of employment financing.

 Sexual Orientation is still a major issue in today’s time. The government has done very little to overcome the problem of same-sex marriage. Many people do not agree with same-sex marriage, but they’re viewing it all wrong. Gay people are always going to be gay. No matter how long the government waits to enforce gay rights, same-sex will always linger around. So why make them hide themselves from the world because it might make the work place awkward. We do not have the right to judge someone because they’re different. I don’t know what I believe, but I know that I would want to be treated equally no matter what the case is.

 I commented on Kasandra Morgan's, Adrian Arthur's, and Ron Payne's blog.

Blog 4

Our freedom of speech is protected by the first amendment. This means we have the liberty to speak openly without fear of government restraint. It protects everyone to think and express themselves freely. This is important because it enables the truth to emerge from diverse opinions, rather than having the government dictate the truth. There are several types of speech that should not be protected such as: perjury, true threats, child pornography, obscenity, fighting words, blackmail, and solicitation to commit crimes.

Separation of church and state government is necessary because mixing religion and government would only lead to civil strife, inequality, and violence in cross-cultural societies. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison opposed government issued religious proclamations. Both men believed strongly that government should not interfere in religious matters.

Defendant’s rights are important to the government because those rights are protected by the fourth, fifth, sixth, and eighth amendment. They protect the manner in which the police conduct investigations, the procedures used at trial, and the punishments that may be given following convictions. Defendants have these rights for a reason. Law enforcement of all stages appears to abuse their power in certain situations. Therefore the defendants need protection from arbitrary police until proven guilty with liable evidence.

I commented on Adrian Arthur's, Kasandra Morgan's, and Ronald Payne's blog.

 

blog 3

A strong national government is needed for a more stable economic growth. National power increased during the great depression because the government had to try to relieve some of the nations' national debt. The power shifted back to state power during the Reagan administration because Ronald Reagan believed that government is not the solution of our problem, the government is the problem. Therefore he cut back on categorical grants, replacing them with fewer, more flexible block grants. I believe the national government should have their input and power on educational problems and opportunities, such as regulating tuitions and fees.

I commented on Jordan Chambers, Kasandra Morgan, and Meagan Zientara.

Chapter 2

1.      Why is the United States Constitution stronger than the articles of confederation? How would the history of the United States be if the country still operated under the articles? The Constitution has survived for over 220 years while the Articles failed after just 8 years. The Articles failed because they did not give Congress the national government power enough power. The new Constitution addressed many of the problems created by the Articles by creating a federal system of government with a much more powerful national government. It gave the national government the power to tax, draft troops, etc. it also created an executive branch and federal court system, both of which were lacking under the Articles of Confederation. These are a few reasons the Constitution is stronger than the Articles. I believe the United States would not have much of a history without the Constitution.

2.      The first three articles of the Constitution establish/define the three branches of government – read these articles. What did you learn that you didn’t already know about our government? The first three Articles of the Constitution establish the rules and separate powers of the three branches of the federal government. The Legislative Branch is the part of the United States government that writes, debates, and passes laws. The Executive Branch is responsible for implementing, supporting, and enforcing the laws made by the legislative branch and interpreted by the judicial branch. The Judicial Branch interprets the laws and administers justice. I learned article 1 divides Congress into a Senate and a House of Representatives. Article 2 establishes an executive department headed by a president and vice president. The article further describes the powers of the offices, the manner of election, and the qualifications for office. Article 3 judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.

3.      How important is the Supreme Court ruling in Marbury v. Madison and why? Marbury v. Madison was the first U.S. Supreme Court case to apply the principles of judicial review. The power of federal courts to void acts of Congress in conflict with the Constitution. The decision played a key role in making the Supreme Court a separate branch of government on par with Congress and the executive.

4.      Looking at the United States government today, is it more like what the Federalists or the Anti-Federalists envisioned and why? I think our government is more federalist based because the Anti-Federalists believe the government should have zero power over the states.

 

 

American Government

Hello my name is Josh Barbee. I am twenty years of age and seeking my associates degree from Roane State Community College. I am majoring in Wildlife and Fisheries Management. I will be transferring from here to Tennessee Tech next semester to complete the remainder of my courses. After my schooling I look to pursue my career as a fish biologist. I took this class because it fit well with my schedule. I am new to online classes so hopefully it will not be tough to get used to. Im interested in learning about the government that runs or ruins this country.