Chapter 5 Blog
The Issue of Race
Although it took our Government a long time before it ever addressed the issue of racial discrimination, I'm thankful it did. I thankful for people like Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, and former president John F. Kennedy just to name a few, whom were willing to stand against racial discrimination. I think it was a very sad time in the history of our government when people were forced to drink out of different water fountains or sit in different places in restaurants or buses or were not allowed to attend the same schools or socialize with one another, because of different skin color. I do not agree with affirmative action. It's sad to say there will always be racial discrimination with some people who refuse to change.
The Issue of Gender
Our Government has come along way with regard to women's rights. The laws that have been passed and put into place has helped women in the United States and I believe other countries as well. I believe of a woman can so the job that a man is doing, then she should be entitled to just as much compensation.According to statistics men on the average still receive more pay than women do. I believe the Government still needs to do more to bring the pay rate to an equal amount. However, I don't believe a woman should get a job over a man just because of quotas. I think the job should go to the individual that is most qualified.
The Issue of Sexual Orientation
I believe that discrimination of any type is wrong and it hurts the people that is being discriminated against. I believe that sexual orientation is different in the fact that it has to do with ones actions. I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. I don't believe that a man and a man or a woman and woman should have the same rights. I know there a lot of people who will disagree, but that's how I feel about it and I don't think our Government should promote gay marriage or gay rights. I don't believe that judges should be allowed to legislate from the bench, let the voters decide.
Blogs I posted on: Robert Cook, Stephanie Griffin, and Donna Binford
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Chapter 4 Blog
1. Freedom of Speech
The Freedom of Speech is one of the greatest freedoms that we have. The freedom of speech allows us to give our opinion of any given situation in the country, whether we agree or disagree. It also allows us to speak up for the Bill of Rights. It does not allow the right of yell fire in a movie theater or any other establishment, that could result in injury. It does not give us the right to reveal military secrets, which could harm America and our solider that serve our country.
2. Freedom of Religion
The phrase by Thomas Jefferson concerning separation of church and state is not in the constitution. It is a phrase drawn upon by liberals whom want to restrict "God" in our schools and government. The original wording was so described to prevent the United States of America having a national church as England did. This was to prevent students praying before ball games or other school activities. I believe this is completely unfair. These issues should be voted on by the people and not put in the hand of liberal judges to write laws instead of interrupting them.
3. Criminal Procedure
I believe criminal rights are crucial to our system of government. Without these rights some would be railroaded into prison without a fair trial. Without the rights of a court appointed attorney, so many people in our society couldn't afford an attorney. Sometime the officers decide to work outside the boundaries of law, including illegal searches, seizure, harassment, ect... I believe everyone should be treated the same when it comes to legal matters.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
1. Is a strong national government necessary or should the state government have an equal share of power?why?
A strong national government is very necessary. That was proven when the nation was under the articles of confederation. The national government must have the power to wage war, raise taxes, regulate commerce, sign treaties, etc... On some issues there has to be a national policy. However, I do believe the state should retain power over a lot of policies, such as education, gun laws immigration, and health care. I do not believe the national government should mandate programs to states and then not provide the funding, such as the no child left behind program. There has to be some balance of power between the national government and the states.
2. National power increases during the Great Depression but then power began to shift back to the states during the Reagan administration? Why did that happen and is that shift appropriate?
After the stock market crash of 1929. The country went into a Great Depression. People wanted the national government to provide help for the economy. The supreme court began to accept a broad authority of congress to regulate the economy. The federal government continued to grow and increase in power all the way through to the Johnson administration. The Nixon administration began shifting powers back to the states. President Nixon thought that the states could spend the revenues from the government better than the federal bureaucracy could. President Ronald Reagan felt the same way and sought to reduce the power of the federal government. He changed the way states could use the grant monies they received from the federal government. I feel it is appropriate, because I believe the states should have the right to spend money on the programs there state needs the most.
3. Education stirs much discussion relating to the issue of federalism. Should the national government regulate education or is it a matter best to state and local governments? Why?
I feel like the education system should be handled by the states and not the federal government. I believe the states have a better idea on how to provide a better education for our children.They work with the local school boards and that includes the school superintendent, principals, teachers, students, and the parents. It would stop the federal government from mandating programs and not funding them.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Chapter 2 Blog Assignment
1.) How important was the shift from the Article of Confederation to the Constitution we now have?
The Articles of Confederation were put in place at the beginning as the United States of America became a nation. These articles were very limited in the power they gave congress, due to the belief that Great Britain had violate the rights of the people. They express freedom over order. It gave congress the power to decide boundaries, coin money, establish post offices, but no order to regulate commerce, or it didn't give any authority over the citizens over the United States. Congress could not tax citizens or states; therefore the country had an insufficient amount of money to pay the nations debts. There wasn't any military power, which left America vulnerable to attacks from other countries and chaos from within. The shift of the constitution made the national government work much more effectively and still protect the rights of the citizens.
2.) How critical and important are The Bill of Rights?
The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791, it has secured the freedom of the American citizen's for over 200 years. The federalist argued that The Bill of Rights was not necessary because congress had only the power granted by the Constitution. The Anti-federalist were concerned about excessive national power, they believed the amendments should be part of the Constitution, to protect the rights of the people. They didn't want the the United States of America to have a national religion, as Great Britain did. They wanted the people to have free exercise of religion. They also wanted the Right to Bear Arms, The Right to a Trial by Jury and the assistance of an attorney to be part of the Constitution, so that these rights could never be taken away.
3.) How do you view capital punishment?
I believe capital punishment is appropriate in certain cases. For example: Murder, Kidnapping, and Treason. If you look at the 8th amendment it seems to go against the death penalty on the cruel and unusual punishment wording, but the 14th amendment seems to support the death penalty. I do believe it should only be used when it is beyond a shadow of a doubt the individual is guilty. I believe all DNA evidence should be present at trial, if found guilty I believe the person should be allowed the due process of law, however i do not not believe waiting 20 years to follow through with the punishment.
The Articles of Confederation were put in place at the beginning as the United States of America became a nation. These articles were very limited in the power they gave congress, due to the belief that Great Britain had violate the rights of the people. They express freedom over order. It gave congress the power to decide boundaries, coin money, establish post offices, but no order to regulate commerce, or it didn't give any authority over the citizens over the United States. Congress could not tax citizens or states; therefore the country had an insufficient amount of money to pay the nations debts. There wasn't any military power, which left America vulnerable to attacks from other countries and chaos from within. The shift of the constitution made the national government work much more effectively and still protect the rights of the citizens.
2.) How critical and important are The Bill of Rights?
The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791, it has secured the freedom of the American citizen's for over 200 years. The federalist argued that The Bill of Rights was not necessary because congress had only the power granted by the Constitution. The Anti-federalist were concerned about excessive national power, they believed the amendments should be part of the Constitution, to protect the rights of the people. They didn't want the the United States of America to have a national religion, as Great Britain did. They wanted the people to have free exercise of religion. They also wanted the Right to Bear Arms, The Right to a Trial by Jury and the assistance of an attorney to be part of the Constitution, so that these rights could never be taken away.
3.) How do you view capital punishment?
I believe capital punishment is appropriate in certain cases. For example: Murder, Kidnapping, and Treason. If you look at the 8th amendment it seems to go against the death penalty on the cruel and unusual punishment wording, but the 14th amendment seems to support the death penalty. I do believe it should only be used when it is beyond a shadow of a doubt the individual is guilty. I believe all DNA evidence should be present at trial, if found guilty I believe the person should be allowed the due process of law, however i do not not believe waiting 20 years to follow through with the punishment.
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