Wednesday and Thursday September 29 and 30, 2010

This is for block scheduling.  Depends on which day you missed.
Write your journal.
Take a look at the Tuesday September 28th entry.  It talks about what Republicans and Democrats believe on certain issues.  You need to write what you believe about those issues.

Tuesday September 28, 2010

Write your journal
Copy the following notes:

•        Republicans are conservative

 

–    favor traditional institutions and the status quo

–    favor laissez-faire system

•     define

–    favor a limited role for government in society and believe that people should help themselves, not rely on the government

–    favor lower taxes

–    believe in the trickle-down theory

  

•         Democrats are liberal

–     favor change in society

 

–     oppose government intervention into one’s private and social life

 

–     support regulations on economic activity and businesses

 

–     favor an active role for government in society

 

–     believe that involvement – be it environmental regulations against polluting or anti-discrimination laws-  can improve the quality of our lives

 

–     willing to increase taxes to support programs

Abortion

•        Democrat:

–    Abortion is a woman’s right and should be legal

•        Republican:

–    Abortion should be illegal and restricted by government 

 

Flag Burning

•        Democrat:

–    Flag burning is political speech and is protected by the Constitution 

•        Republican:

–    Protect the flag from burning by a constitutional amendment 

 

Gun Control

•        Democrats: 

–    Favor/Gun control is needed          

•        Republicans: 

–    Oppose/Gun control is unconstitutional   

Natural Environment

•        Democrats: 

–    Strong regulations are needed to protect the environment   

  

•        Republicans: 

–    Strong environmental laws harm the economy 

Race Relations

•        Democrats: 

–    Strong anti-discrimination laws are needed

–    favor affirmative action

 

•        Republicans: 

–    People and businesses can be trusted not to discriminate

–    Many oppose affirmative action

Minimum Wage

•        Democrats:

–    Favor/Increase the minimum wage to help workers

•        Republicans: 

–    Oppose/Do not raise the minimum wage because it hurts businesses

 

Healthcare

•        Democrats: 

–    Government should require universal access to healthcare

•        Republicans: 

–    Private insurers are preferable to government controlled system

Taxes

•        Democrats: 

–    Increase taxes on the wealthy to pay for public programs

 

•        Republicans: 

–    Cutting taxes for everyone helps the economy

 

Military

•        Democrats: 

–    Cut military spending; expand veteran’s benefits; act in concert with other nations and/or with support from NATO and the UN

•        Republicans: 

–    Increase military spending; cut veteran’s benefits; don’t be constrained by other nations or by NATO and the UN

 

Death Penalty

•        Democrats: 

–    Oppose/It is not a deterrent and innocent people are in jeopardy

  

•        Republicans:

–    Favor/The death penalty is necessary and effective

 

Gay Rights

 

•        Democrats:

–    Favor/Gays rights and marriage are civil rights

 

•        Republicans: 

–    Oppose/Marriage is a sacred trust between a man and woman

Prayer in School

•        Democrats:

–    Oppose/Violation of the separation between church and state

 

•        Republicans: 

–    Favor/It is a religious right and our Judeo-Christian heritage

War in Iraq

•        Democrats:

–    Favored at first but now criticize President Bush for messing it up

–    Want to get more countries support

–    Want a defined exit strategy

•        Republicans:

–    President Bush stated 8-21-06 that US will not leave Iraq until the job is done

–    Admits to mistakes in Iraq and says it will be a tough fight

–    Hope Iraq’s new gov’t and people will eventually be stable enough in several years for US withdrawal

Monday September 27, 2010

Write your journal
Today we listened to a presentation about college.  There was no work and nothing to make-up.  You picked the right day to be absent.

Friday September 24, 2010

Write your journal
Today we took a test.  You will need to make it up when you come back.

Thursday September 23, 2010

Read your journal
Work on your study guide for the test: (page in the textbook to find answers)
What doesn't the Bill of Rights guarantee? (76)
What is an example of informal constitutional change? (79-82, Red Headings)
What do the first 3 articles of the Constitution talk about? (64-65, An Outline of the Constitution)
How can Congress change the Constitution? (72-73)
How many formal amendments to the Constitution are there? (76)
What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called? (76)
What is a national government with three independent branches called? (66)
What are examples of Checks and Balances? (68)
What does popular sovereignty mean? (65, glossary)
Where are the basic constitutional rights rights first set out in? (76)
What are the constitutional amendments 11-27? (76)
What is the president's power to veto an act called? (68)
What kind of power does the national government use to coin money? (89-90)
What method of amending the constitution has been used the most? (72)
What does federalism provide for? (88-89)
What are concurrent powers? (93)
What powers can the national government exercise? (89-93)
What is federalism? (70)
With the words, "We the People," the constitution establishes its authority on what basis? (65)
What is limited government? (65-66)

Wednesday September 22, 2010

Write your journals.
read pgs 126-131 and answer all questions of the section assessment.
read pg 136 and answer all Analyzing Primary Sources Questions
read pgs 88-95 and answer all questions of the section assessment.

Tuesday September 21, 2010

Write your journal
Compare and contrast the following political parties and the issues talked about.

Differences Between Republicans and Democrats

What does each Party stand for?

Political Party affiliation is a quick way to find out the basic ideas and philosophy for each candidate, both Republicans and Democrats. Political affiliation can be used to understand the core beliefs of each candidate and there are significant differences between them.

Core Beliefs

Republicans believe that each person is responsible for his or her own place in society. Government should enable each person the ability to secure the benefits of society for themselves, their families and for those who are unable to care for themselves.

The Republican philosophy is based on limiting the intervention of government as a catalyst of individual prosperity. Government should only intervene in specific cases where society cannot effectively act at the individual level. With the core belief that individual destiny should be in the individual’s hands, governmental power and resources should be kept close to the people, through their state and community leaders, and not centralized in distant federal government agencies.

Democrats believe it is the responsibility of government to care for all individuals, even if it means giving up some individual rights and/or subordinating enterprise and initiative.

Democrat Party administrations have pushed for the centralization of power in Washington D.C., with only secondary consideration for the rights of both individuals and communities. Democrats have favored federal-level interventions that replace community-based solutions to community problems. These tactics have created several federal regulations and controls that are often in the hands of unelected bureaucrats, causing a severe erosion of local authority.

The Economy

Republicans believe free enterprise has brought economic growth and innovations that have made this country great. Government should help stimulate a business environment where people are free to use their talents.

Democrats believe that the economy is too complicated for individuals to navigate alone. They believe that business decisions should be guided by government officials and in the best interest of labor unions.

Taxes and Government Spending

Republicans work tirelessly to cut government spending and to eliminate government waste. Republicans believe individuals should control both their own and their government’s pocketbook – the people should authorize all tax increases.

Democrats believe that government knows what is best for individuals. They argue that federal bureaucrats better understand the needs of a community than a locally elected council and the federal government should define the tax burden necessary to meet its obligations, because this is too complicated for individuals to understand.

National Defense

Republicans believe in a strong national defense. Republicans know that defending our nation against its enemies must be a fundamental commitment of the federal government and this requires the best- trained, best-equipped and most effective military in the world. With

America as the world’s only superpower, Republicans believe that true security comes from the strength of character to act collaboratively, when possible, and alone when necessary. After the tragedy of 9-11, America must be ready to fight terrorism abroad in order to prevent it at home.

In the past 10 years, Democrats have advocated for scaling down our military and reducing the money spent on military intelligence. Democrats believe that true security comes from negotiations with foreign nations, even if they harbor or have financial ties to terrorist groups. Democrats believe that we must ask other nations for permission before we act to protect our own security.

Education

Republicans believe all students, regardless of race or socio-economic background, should become proficient in both reading and math. While it is desirable that children learn more than one language, mastery of the English language will allow our children to be competitive at the university level. Republicans also believe that schools should be held accountable for student progress through testing, which can be used to identify individual childrens’ needs. These reports, at both the student and school level, should be provided to the parents to ensure accountability.

Democrats believe that tests burden teachers and waste classroom instruction time. They also believe children should be forced to stay in schools that fail to teach the basic skills. Democrats argue that literacy should be left for unions to define rather than local PTAs or other parent groups.

Immigration

Republicans recognize that our nation is enriched by immigrants seeking a better life. In many cases immigrants have fled violence and oppression searching for peace and freedom. All suffered and sacrificed but hope for a better future for their children in America.

Republicans agree that the lack of security along our borders has contributed to the flow of narco- trafficking, gang violence, and the yearly forced servitude and slavery of over 50,000 women and children from foreign countries by human smugglers. While our nation has been enriched by the determination, energy, and diversity of immigrants, Republicans believe that in this nation of laws, immigration policies should be followed and that securing our borders is vital to ensuring the safety of our citizens.

Democrats believe that as the world superpower, it is a fundamental right for the United States to provide unconditional aid and comfort to the citizens of other nations. Democrats believe in open borders, unconditional amnesty, and that the laws of this nation be curtailed to provide non-emergency assistance and legal forms of identification to foreign nationals.

Monday September 20, 2010

Write your journal, perhaps on why you weren't at school and complete the vocabulary for the week.  Remember, word, definition, and personal association:

political party

partisanship

two-party system

major parties

party in power

bipartisan

pluralistic society

consensus

incumbent

multiparty

electorate.

Friday September 17, 2010

Write your journal
From the work you did this week, create a 15 question quiz and answer the questions.

Thursday September 16, 2010

Write your journal
Take the following notes (including charts):

How to Amend the Constitution

 

 

 

Federal Powers

 

Delegated Powers- Granted in the Constitution

Expressed Powers- Specifically given in the Constitution.

Implied Powers- Not expressly stated in the Constitution.

Inherent Powers- Not talked about in the Constitution but too big for states to handle.

 

Wednesday September 15, 2010

Write your journals
Read the following and answer the question in it.

The Executive Branch

The power of the Executive Branch is vested in the President of the United States, who also acts as head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress and, to that end, appoints the heads of the federal agencies, including the Cabinet. The Vice President is also part of the Executive Branch, ready to assume the Presidency should the need arise.

The Cabinet and independent federal agencies are responsible for the day-to-day enforcement and administration of federal laws. These departments and agencies have missions and responsibilities as widely divergent as those of the Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Social Security Administration and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Including members of the armed forces, the Executive Branch employs more than 4 million Americans.

The President is both the head of state and head of government of the United States of America, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

Under Article II of the Constitution, the President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress. Fifteen executive departments — each led by an appointed member of the President's Cabinet — carry out the day-to-day administration of the federal government. They are joined in this by other executive agencies such as the CIA and Environmental Protection Agency, the heads of which are not part of the Cabinet, but who are under the full authority of the President. The President also appoints the heads of more than 50 independent federal commissions, such as the Federal Reserve Board or the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as federal judges, ambassadors, and other federal offices. The Executive Office of the President (EOP) consists of the immediate staff to the President, along with entities such as the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

The President has the power either to sign legislation into law or to veto bills enacted by Congress, although Congress may override a veto with a two-thirds vote of both houses. The Executive Branch conducts diplomacy with other nations, and the President has the power to negotiate and sign treaties, which also must be ratified by two-thirds of the Senate. The President can issue executive orders, which direct executive officers or clarify and further existing laws. The President also has unlimited power to extend pardons and clemencies for federal crimes, except in cases of impeachment.

With these powers come several responsibilities, among them a constitutional requirement to "from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." Although the President may fulfill this requirement in any way he or she chooses, Presidents have traditionally given a State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress each January (except in inaugural years) outlining their agenda for the coming year.

The Constitution lists only three qualifications for the Presidency — the President must be 35 years of age, be a natural born citizen, and must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. And though millions of Americans vote in a presidential election every four years, the President is not, in fact, directly elected by the people. Instead, on the first Tuesday in November of every fourth year, the people elect the members of the Electoral College. Apportioned by population to the 50 states — one for each member of their congressional delegation (with the District of Columbia receiving 3 votes) — these Electors then cast the votes for President. There are currently 538 electors in the Electoral College.

Questions:

Who is the head of the executive branch?

What is the job of the executive branch?

What does the President have the power to sign?

What other powers does the President have?

Who elects the President?

The Legislative Branch

Established by Article I of the Constitution, the Legislative Branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress. The Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war, the right to confirm or reject many Presidential appointments, and substantial investigative powers.

In order to pass legislation and send it to the President for his signature, both the House and the Senate must pass the same bill by majority vote. If the President vetoes a bill, they may override his veto by passing the bill again in each chamber with at least two-thirds of each body voting in favor.

Congress, as one of the three coequal branches of government, is ascribed significant powers by the Constitution. All legislative power in the government is vested in Congress, meaning that it is the only part of the government that can make new laws or change existing laws. Executive Branch agencies issue regulations with the full force of law, but these are only under the authority of laws enacted by Congress. The President may veto bills Congress passes, but Congress may also override a veto by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Article I of the Constitution enumerates the powers of Congress and the specific areas in which it may legislate. Congress is also empowered to enact laws deemed "necessary and proper" for the execution of the powers given to any part of the government under the Constitution.

Part of Congress's exercise of legislative authority is the establishment of an annual budget for the government. To this end, Congress levies taxes and tariffs to provide funding for essential government services. If enough money cannot be raised to fund the government, then Congress may also authorize borrowing to make up the difference. Congress can also mandate spending on specific items: legislatively directed spending, commonly known as "earmarks," specifies funds for a particular project, rather than for a government agency.

Both chambers of Congress have extensive investigative powers, and may compel the production of evidence or testimony toward whatever end they deem necessary. Members of Congress spend much of their time holding hearings and investigations in committee. Refusal to cooperate with a Congressional subpoena can result in charges of contempt of Congress, which could result in a prison term.

The Senate maintains several powers to itself: It ratifies treaties by a two-thirds supermajority vote and confirms the appointments of the President by a majority vote. The consent of the House of Representatives is also necessary for the ratification of trade agreements and the confirmation of the Vice President.

Congress also holds the sole power to declare war.

Questions:

What powers does the Congress have?

In order to pass legislation, what must happen?

What happens if the President vetoes the bill?

According to paragraph 5, what can Congress do to raise money?

According to the last paragraph, what sole power does Congress hold?

The Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the land and the only part of the federal judiciary specifically required by the Constitution.

The Constitution does not stipulate the number of Supreme Court Justices; the number is set instead by Congress. There have been as few as six, but since 1869 there have been nine Justices, including one Chief Justice. All Justices are nominated by the President, confirmed by the Senate, and hold their offices under life tenure. Since Justices do not have to run or campaign for re-election, they are thought to be insulated from political pressure when deciding cases. Justices may remain in office until they resign, pass away, or are impeached and convicted by Congress.

The Court's caseload is almost entirely appellate in nature, and the Court's decisions cannot be appealed to any authority, as it is the final judicial arbiter in the United States on matters of federal law. However, the Court may consider appeals from the highest state courts or from federal appellate courts. The Court also has original jurisdiction in cases involving ambassadors and other diplomats, and in cases between states.

Although the Supreme Court may hear an appeal on any question of law provided it has jurisdiction, it usually does not hold trials. Instead, the Court's task is to interpret the meaning of a law, to decide whether a law is relevant to a particular set of facts, or to rule on how a law should be applied. Lower courts are obligated to follow the precedent set by the Supreme Court when rendering decisions.

In almost all instances, the Supreme Court does not hear appeals as a matter of right; instead, parties must petition the Court for a writ of certiorari. It is the Court's custom and practice to "grant cert" if four of the nine Justices decide that they should hear the case. Of the approximately 7,500 requests for certiorari filed each year, the Court usually grants cert to fewer than 150. These are typically cases that the Court considers sufficiently important to require their review; a common example is the occasion when two or more of the federal courts of appeals have ruled differently on the same question of federal law.

The Judicial Process

Article III of the Constitution of the United States guarantees that every person accused of wrongdoing has the right to a fair trial before a competent judge and a jury of one's peers.

The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments to the Constitution provide additional protections for those accused of a crime. These include:

•       A guarantee that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without the due process of law

•       Protection against being tried for the same crime twice ("double jeopardy")

•       The right to a speedy trial by an impartial jury

•       The right to cross-examine witnesses, and to call witnesses to support their case

•       The right to legal representation

•       The right to avoid self-incrimination

•       Protection from excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments

Questions:

What is the highest court in the land?

Who nominates Supreme Court justices?

According to the 4^th paragraph, what is the Supreme Court’s task?

According to the 4^th paragraph, how many cases does the Supreme Court typically hear each year?

According to Article III of the Constitution of the United States, what does every person accused of wrong doing have the right to? 

Tuesday September 14, 2010

Write your journal
Read pages 64-70 in your textbook and answer all of the questions of the section assessment.

Monday September 13, 2010

Write your journal.
Back by popular demand is the vocabulary, so using the glossary in the book, write the word, definition, and make a personal association with the word (examples: use the word in a sentence, draw a picture of the word, write your opinion of the word, or write where you have heard the word before.)
Constitutionalism
rule of law
separation of powers
checks and balances
veto
judicial review
unconstitutional
federalism
amendment

September 9 and 10, 2010

Write your journal
Complete the following naturalization test.  You don't have to copy down the questions:

A Typical 100 Question Citizenship Test

1.  What are the colors of our flag?  

2.  How many stars are there in our flag?

3.  What color are the stars on our flag?

4.  What do the stars on the flag mean?

5.  How many stripes are there in the flag?

6.  What color are the stripes?

7.  What do the stripes on the flag mean?

8.  How many states are there in the Union?

9.  What is the 4th of July?

10.  What is the date of Independence Day?

11. Independence from whom?

12.  What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War?

13.  Who was the first President of the United States?

14.  Who is the President of the United States today?

15.  Who is the Vice-President of the United States today?

16.  Who elects the President of the United States?

17.  Who becomes the President of the United States if the President should die?

18.  For how long do we elect the President?

19.  What is the Constitution?

20.  Can the Constitution be changed?

21.  What do we call a change to the Constitution?

22.  How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?

23.  How many branches are there in our government?

24.  What are the three branches of our government?

25.  What is the legislative branch of our government?

26.  Who makes the laws in the United States?

27.  What is Congress?

28.  What are the duties of Congress?

29.  Who elects Congress?

30.  How many senators are there in Congress?

31.  Can you name the two senators from your state?

32.  For how long do we elect each senator?

33.  How many representatives are there in Congress?

34.  For how long do we elect the representatives?

35.  What is the executive branch of our government?

36.  What is the judiciary branch of our government?

37.  What are the duties of the Supreme Court?

38.  What is the supreme law of the United States?

39.  What is the Bill of Rights?

40.  What is the capital of your state?

41.  Who is the current governor of your state?

42.  Who becomes President of the United States if the President and the Vice-President should die?

43.  Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

44.  Can you name the 13 original states?

45.  Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death."?

46.  Which countries were our enemies during World War II?

47.  What are the 49th and 50th states of the Union?

48.  How many terms can a President serve?

49.  Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.?

50.  Who presides over your local government?

51.  According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become President. Name one of these requirements.

52.  Why are there 100 Senators in the Senate?

53.  Who selects the Supreme Court justices?

54.  How many Supreme Court justices are there?

55.  Why did the Pilgrims come to America?

56.  What is the head executive of a state government called?

57.  What is the head executive of a city government called?

58.  What holiday was celebrated for the first time by American colonists?

59.  Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?

60.  When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

61.  What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence?

62.  What is the national anthem of the United States?

63.  Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner?

64.  Where does freedom of speech come from?

65.  What is the minimum voting age in the United States?

66.  Who signs bills into law?

67.  What is the highest court in the United States?

68.  Who was President during the Civil War?

69.  What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

70.  What special group advises the President?

71.  Which President is called the "Father of our country?"

72.  What Immigration and Naturalization Service form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen?

73.  Who helped the Pilgrims in America? What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America?

74.  What were the 13 original states of the U.S. called?

75.  Name 3 rights or freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

76.  Who has the power to declare war?

77.  What kind of government does the United States have?

78.  Which President freed the slaves?

79.  In what year was the Constitution written?

80.  What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?

81.  What is the supreme law of the land?

82.  Where does Congress meet?

83.  Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?

84.  What is the introduction to the Constitution called?

85.  Name one benefit to being a citizen of the United States?

86.  What is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens?

87.  What is the United States Capitol?

88.  What is the White House?

89.  Where is the White House located?

90.  What is the name of the President's official home?

91.  Name one right guaranteed by the first amendment.

92.  Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

93.  Which President was the first Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

94.  In what month do we vote for President?

95.  In what month is the new President inaugurated?

96.  How many times may a Senator be re-elected?

97.  How many times may a Congressman be re-elected?

98.  What are the 2 major political parties in the U.S. today?

99. How many states are there in the United States? 

100.  Who is you American Government teacher?

September 8, 2010

Write your journal about the pro's and con's of free speech.
Using the internet, find 10 examples of free speech violations.  Good hunting.

September 7, 2010

Write your journal
Go to the following webpage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward_Churchill_September_11_attacks_essay_controversy
Read it and write a half a page opinion on whether or not your think Ward Churchill's right of freedom of speech was violated.  Explain why or why not.

September 3, 2010

Write your journal
Today we took a look at some of the countries with the best education systems in the world.  The United States did not make the top 10.  Make a list of 10 things that could improve the educations system in America.

September 2, 2010

Write Your Journal
Read the 10 Amendments to the Constitution (Bill of Rights) pages, 771-772 in your textbook and write them in your own words.

September 1, 2010

Write your journal.
Study your previous vocabulary words
Take the test if you haven't already taken it.

September 1, 2010

Write your journal
Study for the test