| 
  • If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.

  • You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

View
 

MARY R

Page history last edited by M Radziszewski 11 years, 10 months ago

Politico Test Prep 9

1. Appellate, or power to review a lower court case from a state court for example, and original jurisdiction which is hearing a case for the first time under the Supreme Court.

2. Interest groups can influence decisions of the courts, but ultimately the decision lies in the constitutionality of the ruling. 

3. Supreme Court justices have life tenure, meaning once elected, they serve for life. This allows for growth and maturity for the justice to reign over the court with eventual wisdom. 

4. Healthcare, unconstitutional only if forcing it on the people.

 

Politico Test Prep 8

1. Commander in Chief is the most important, because it is where the president most exercises his power and his authority and his representation of the nation.

2. Chief of party as it is merely titlement, rather than power. 

3. Continuous campaigning is always pooling energy and action into reelection. 

4. I think the framers would be very surprised to see how the country has evolved as a nation as it is significantly different from when they started.

Politico Test Prep 7

1. states rights, communication between local, state, and federal levels of government, different laws pertaining to different areas of the country. Disadvantages, less universalization across the states.

2. Laws that involve healthcare, food and drug laws, recalls of products.

3. Gay rights, voting laws, city taxes, transportation.

4. Indifferent.

Politico Test Prep 6

1. Farm subsidies were first used during the 1920's Great Depression in order to limit farmer's production and distribution of crops.

2. Many things, student loans, housing, etc. 

3. Interest groups will attempt to sway the opinon, or appeal to the opinion of a person of higher power, therefore making their ideas known through the leader in order to get action taken.

4. Indifferent.

Politico Test Prep 5

1. Congress is made up of mostly men, very few women, siders of bipartisanship more than Republican or Democratic solely partisanship, more Democrats than Republicans, few Independents, and the average age of 62.2 years old.

2. There are stricter rules placed on the House, in opposition, the Senate has more loose rules in governing a legislation to be passed.

3. The Senate can confirm presidential appointments. 

4. Indifferent. Supporters represent the candidate.

Politico Test Prep 4

1. The most important steps in building a successful presidential campaign are determining the audience, subsiding personal views with views and opinions that represent those you are representing, and putting on a strong leadership front. 

2. Campaigns today have become more candidate centered and less party-centered is because today most candidates from a party represent the party's views in their entirety. Therefore, the personality and viewpoints of a candidate are what's focused on more and the elements that are judged.

3. The positives are that the person they want to be elected gets elected. The negatives would be that it may come down to the stalemate when everyone wants their party to win and it only takes numbers to tip the scale. 

4. Indifferent.

Politico Test Prep 3

1. Because the states today are labeled either one or the other as a majority party, there isn't much at stake for swing voting to occur.

2. Demographics of gender, race, age, and location seem to be the most influential in voting. Men and women have traditionally been labeled as either Republican or Democrat, and though it has changed over the years, like anything, the status quo has remained the same. Race plays a role in deciding as certain races have traditionally voted for Democrats while other Republican. Age is a factor as most will take on the political ideologies of one's family, turn the opposite way, or lie somewhere in the middle. Location may determine single handedly what a person votes as. The South is now labeled as solid Republican while the North remains Democratic. 

3. 

4. Republicans may have an advantage to attract swing voters in 2012, mostly due to the 4 year journey of Obama, a young, inexperienced, yet powerful and strong, president. 

 

Politico test Prep 2

1. Yes interests groups are fundamental to a strong democracy because they voice opinions on specific topics otherwise possibly ignored. They can be dangerous if they begin to violate laws or totally take over as a majority ruling hurting the miniority.

2. AARP - American Association for Retired People

NOW - National Organization for Women

AHIP - American Health Insurance Plans

3.  Numbers, numbers, numbers. If a group can gather enough people to show that the interests sought are those of many, public policy is more likely to be reviewed and changed.

4. I think interests groups are important to show how certain things are passed through Congress.Hiring a former interest group to Congress will allow an experienced interest group member to have a handle on more responsibilities.

 

 

Politico Test Prep 1

1. Traditionally the South was labeled as the Democratic Solid South. Republicans traiditonally lie in the Northern areas of the US. This has changed with the South siding more with the Republicans and the North with Democrats. 

2. The district lines can be redrawn. 

3. PA lies Republican with many political leaders of that party affiliation.

4.I don't adore the topic, but it is essential.

 

Meredith Madness partner - Christie

 

1. Marbury v Madison

     As Federalist party leader John Adams was in his final stages of leaving office to pass it to Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson, Adams appointed a large number of Federalists to be justices of peace in District Columbia, one being William Marbury. When Jefferson assumed office, he gave orders to James Madison, his secretary of state, to not deliver, or finalize, Marbury's appointment, as it was not completed while Adams was in office with an impeding Jefferson assuming office. The question arose of whether or not Marbury was allowed his appointment despite that it was not finalized through legal actions. 

     The courts ruled that Marbury was owed his appointment and a remedy. More importantly, it ruled that Supreme Court held the authority to review Congressional acts and deem them unconstitutional or not. This changed judicial review to more modern terms and gave the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, legitimacy.

 

2. Adkins v. Children's Hospital

     This case dealt with the Due Process Clause that is poignant in the fourth and fifth amendments. Previously in 1918 Congress enacted a law guaranteeing a minimum wage of x amount of dollars a week for labor. Children's Hospital hired women paying them lower wages than the establishment of the board prices laid out in a previous case, Lochner v. New York (1905) 

     The court ruled that minimum wage for women remained unconstitutional as it contradicted the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. It ultimately ruled that minimum wage laws violate the rights of citizens to freely contract work. This was important because it established the rights in the Fifth Amendment that may ambiguously address women and children's working rights alike as at the time there was an increase of working class women and children. 

3. Reno v. ACLU

      The Communications Decency Act was challenged by the Supreme Court in determining whether or not that it was unconstitutional to limit the freedom of speech through this act. This act was intended to protect minors from explicit content on the Internet in regards to child pornography and any distribution or creation of it. 

     The courts ruled that it was against first Amendment law because its regulations blocked the freedom of speech , yet it was said that the courts failed to define the difference between "obscene" and "indecent" content in regards to explicit content for minors. 

     This case was important because it was the first to address the application of First Amendment rights in regards to the Internet. 

4. Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition 

      The Child Pornography Prevention Act fought to ban any explicit content resembling, producing, and or distributing anything form of child/childlike pornography. The question arose whether or not this act violated free speech. 

     Previous cases aided in ruling this act unconstitutional as the intentions of this act are not consistent with others that have acted in regards to this.  

5. New York Times v. united States

     This cased deals with the public release through the press of well read newspapers, New York Times and Washington Post, of Pentagon Case Papers, which President Nixon's administration attempted to prevent. The administration claimed that the papers were of classified information for the Defense Department. The question lies in whether or not these papers' right of press has been violated with orders from a higher power. 

     The courts ruled that first amendment rights were violated and that if the release of the information was not going to or intended to endanger the safety of American forces, the restraint of this was unnecessary. 

 

6. Escobedo v. Illinois 

     Danny Escobedo's brother in law was shot and killed on January 19, 1960. Danny Escobedo was immediately taken into custody and interrogated of the fatal incident. When the police refused his requests of a lawyer, or right to counsel, he eventually admitted that was guilty of murder, paired with few witness accounts. The issue lies in the denial of the sixth amendment right to counsel in the Constitution which Escobedo was denied. 

     The courts ruled that Escobedo's rights were denied to both not have the right to a lawyer or the right to remain silent, rather to admit to fault, both under the fifth and sixth Amendments.

 

7. Hirabayashi v. United States

     This case came in response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor leading the US into World War II. Following this attack, President Roosevelt established new rules on those of Japanese descnet living in America as potential spies, placing them in internment camps. He ordered troops to oversee the containment of these groups. When a student named Gordon Hirabayashi was convicted, a student at Washington State University at the time, of breaking curfew and and the relocation order of those of Japanese descent. The issue arose of whether or not the president's actions and orders to the military violate the fifth amendment rights of a lawyer and to remain silent. 

     The courts ruled that the President's order of breaking the curfew was constitutional, for at the time it was suspiscious for a Japanese citizen or not to roam the streets with potential threats as a spy for the enemy. The courts also ruled that the racial descrimination was justified at the time due to being a means of protection.

 

8. Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education

     This case followed years after Brown v. Board of Education in response to the lack of progress the case ruling had made until that time. The Charlotte Mecklenburg School in NOrth Carolina hinted at a segregated school with statistics of the entire student body being black. Lower local courts attempted to experiement with the school for possible solutions to the issue, such as busing. The case was sent to the Supreme Court, begging the question of whether or not Federal courts have the authority to oversee and change state imposed laws on segreation.

     Courts ruled that the federal court's rulings past the initial mandated segregation was broad and flexible, giving the federal courts a say in it no matter what. A careful review of schools with predominate black populations were to be under scrutiny by the courts to enforce desegregation, yet the courts ruled that the issue of busing was one that concerned them. 

 

 

March 12, 2012

This article speaks of the many jobs that congressional Republicans have turned down in order to cut back on spending through means of funding employees. Democrats in turn want to do the opposite and allow for more jobs to be taken and more people to be added to the payroll. 

From the Republican standpoint, I understand where funding must be cut, but in response to the Democrat's side, there is a high unemployment rate. I favor the Democrat's side in that unemployment is a growing issue and if there are people qualified and ready for the job at hand and there are none, how should they go about living their lives? Working at McDonald's when they have a degree in a political field? With the continuing decline of the economy, would it not make more sense to open more jobs that will stimulate and aid in economic growth? Cutting the Federal workforce may also put those of high seniority out of work, leaving those people with no where to go due to that their entire profession was government and if the job no longer exists, they are forced to find other alternatives to working in lower paying jobs, overall hurting all.

 

 

Lanahan 33 - The Paradoxes of the American presidency

     This reading talks of the presidency and its successes and failures through paradoxes of the presidency. The first speaks that the American people want a president to have leadership skills to solve the nation's problems, yet Americans are said to fear the abuse of power and put a limit on the power of the president through the Congress as a check of power. The paradox of desiring a leader, yet disliking the act of that particular leader telling others how to live their lives presents another paradox of the presidency. The paradox of wanting an "average joe" much like the people, but also wanting that "average joe" to be superhuman also presents itself as contradiction. Seven more paradoxical statements regarding the public opinion of the American people are cited. Through these, there conveys some truth; most Americans want the good qualities and none of the bad qualities that infringe upon their freedom and rights for the leader of their country. 
     I believe this is a truth to most regards. Americans are greedy and want everything to be perfection, yet that is not how the political world functions. Americans want a leader who is a everyman, yet cannot handle the baggage and flaws that come with the so-called-everyman. None of these paradox requirements can be met to full extents. Like the old saying goes, "the formula for failure is to try to please everyone."

 

 

This site was particularly interesting. I enjoyed them any options it featured and how it allowed the user to be in control of the filters. I disliked it because i found it difficult to see the colors. Drawing from the graph (with help) I found that more Republicans seem to be bipartisan/steer off toward the Democratic partisan. The clickable circle that told the whereabouts/goingson of the person was very helpful in that it gave outside information and made it relevant to the site/topic to extend the experience and knowledge more.

 

Lanahan 74 - Red Over Blue

This reading discusses the real meaning of red states and blue states and how America has become to use these simple colors to give significant meaning to. This particular topic was written most likely in response to the 2004 Elections. The use of red states to represent Republican states and blue to represent Democratic states, at a glance this key is simple to quickly get a sense of what America is thinking in terms of party affiliation. This allows a candidate to measure up his standings of an election and in a sense, America will elect a person in office based on "color." The authors states that states have a preference and remain with one party affiliation for the most part. This is mainly drawn from the values and cultures and religions of each state and these influence party affiliation. 

I agree that these red and blue states are almost set in stone. I think it depends on the person who is running, yet I do not think that American states are fickle when it comes to party affiliation, despite candidates who run for office. 

 

Lanahan 75 - The Rise of Southern Republicans

In this reading Black and Black analyze the shift of party affiliation in Southern states. This shift was from Democratic to Republican. This is mainly due to the issues that Southern states face are more related to the problems Democratic parties address directly. The authors state that vital movements such as the Civil Rights act have a large influence of this shift. This analysis depicts that Americans can be fickle when it comes to party affliation only when it directly affects an individual. 

I think that this is true to a degree that party affiliation may change. The person in office of a Republican may not be an ideal candidate for some, leading the person to chose either an Independent Part or the opposite party when the party may address problems concerning the individual more direclty. 

 

I am a...

I am a...I honestly do not know how to answer. I feel that I side with the party that has more pros than cons in dealing with issues. Yet, often the issues are not directly presented and it is often difficult to get to the bottom of what stance a candidate takes on a certain problem. I feel that politics can shift. Republicans and Democrats may posses constant values, yet sometime they may not be presented when running for office. Therefore, I do not think I have any particular party affiliation until I am able to understand issues and stances of a candidate before I give my support to him.

 

 

 

Lanahan 72 - Why Americans Still Don't Vote

In this reading Wattenberg involves the decline of the number of voters, specifically in the young adult generation. Many statistics are exhibited in this reading to emphasize the need for a larger voting crowd of younger people. The reason is unclear why younger people are not involved in politics to the bare minimum of staying in the know. On reason stated for this is that news is not readily avaliable through media/tv with other channels creating a distraction for people to have a more difficult time staying on task with politics with other things appealing more than current events. The other reason cited for the decreased involvement is that the younger generation does not think that politics directly affects them. 

I agree that voter turnout should be higher and the younger generation should care more about politics. Yet, I also agree that current events sometimes take a backseat to other more appealing things. Despite that it was stated that politics do not directly affect young adults and therefore they should not care is something that I do not see happening presently. With the Occupy movement increasing in popularity, despite that some may not know the actual motives behind it, and the government involvement with student loans, it is difficult to imagine that young adults still are not in the know of politics. 

Lanahan 55 - The Phantom Public

This particular reading tells of how the public opinion and views of the current events of the world and the government are not followed enough to be well informed of the happenings of the world that the people live in. Lippmann uses many similes to illustrate his point of how the Americans view politics. For example, he states that Americans will "arrive in the middle of the third act and leave before last curtain", indicating that Americans may only stay/pay attention for a brief time that may or may not be of importance of them. Lippmann also states that Americans only respond for a brief period of time when a time of crisis strikes or scandals surface.

I agree with Lippmann. I believe that many do not know much about what is going on in the world and I myself have been guilty of that. When I realized that things impacted me more than I thought, I began paying more attention. I also agree that in a time of crisis people will be much more likely to voice opinons about such crisises, which can range from a traumatic experience of America such as 9/11 to the scandals of the Penn State child rape charges against many top leaders of the school. later, most events will blow over, yet will still be remembered only for one defining moment, which typically is negative.

 

Lanahan 56 - Public Opinion and American Democracy

Direct democracy discusses direct democracies and how despite that the United States government was originally written in the Constitution as a representative system. As time passes, the government has shifted to a more direct democratic type. Presently, American citizens are able to vote on more than just leaders who represent them. Other types of voting such as recall, initiative, and referendum have been cited by Cronin to describe other ways in which Americans have a larger opinion in American government. Cronin also argues that American’s opinion playing a larger role in government may or may not have great effects on the country and government.

I do believe that the voting system for more than just representatives is a valid point to make when talking of how the government is run. I believe that people do have much more of a say in government and decision makings of the government than what it was before. Addressing the fact that this prominent opinion having an influence over the government and the outcomes, I believe that it is not a valid way to run government or approve important things such as bills and laws and policies. Many do not know the inner workings of the government and it is almost impossible to acknowledge and take in all that important decisions such as policy making entails. 

 

 

 

POWERS (Checks and Balances)

 

1. Legislative check on executive branch on trial on empeachments

 

2. Legislative check on judiciary branch on the approval of federal judges

 

3.  Legislative check on legislative branch - self check

 

4. Executive check on legislative branch on the commander in chief of the military

 

5. Executive check on legislative branch on the ability to force adjournment when both houses meet a stalemate on adjourment

 

6. Executive check on the judiciary branch on the power to appoint judges

 

7. Judicial check on the legislative branch on judicial review

 

8. Judicial check on the executive branch on the chief justice sitting as the President of the senate during a presidential impeachmnet

 

9. Executive branch check on the legislative branch on recess appointments

 

10. Executive branch on the legislative branch to have a veto power

 

 

 

Beard Response

Beard in this excerpt gives his own thoughts and interpretations on the Constitution and its history. He states that the Constitution’s Framers play a large influence on the outcome of the document and through examining the backgrounds of the various aspects of the Framers’ lives, one is able to see who opposed the Constitution and who was for it.  

I do think that the Framers’ background and experience influences the document, but not as intensely as Beard makes it out to be. He focuses on the various aspects of a framer that could influence opposition or support for the Constitution. Though this is a convincing argument, I do not agree with it because the Framers were a diverse group that worked together to establish the basis of the government that has served America since its beginning, despite the flaws and obstacles that America has ultimately overcome.

 

 

Emilly Gumpper and Mary Radziszewski - The Framers

The Framers of the Constitution were 55 white men from 12 colonies excluding the state of Rhode Island. These men had the same intention to establish a working and effective form of government for the colonies and future America. Not all men signed the Constitution, but the majority ruled with 16 men not signing. The majority of men were natives from the 13 colonies with only a mere 9 born outside of America. Most men had some sort of experience in leadership positions, such as Benjamin Franklin. They also all had varied educational backgrounds.

 www.archives.gov

 

 

 

Lanahan 42 – The Democratic Character of Judicial Review

In this reading, Rostow presents the idea that judicial review is a vital part of Democracy. The judicial review also allows for a deeper interpretation of the Constitution, which in turn allows the government to be guided more efficiently and effectively. The judicial review also is said to keep things running much like a well oiled machine with what is fair and just not only in the Supreme Court, but also in society in general.

            The judicial review in Rostow’s portrayal is very truthful. It allows the government to have more control to keep things in line and running efficiently. The judicial review acts as an unofficial golden rule to maintain many aspects of the government.

 

Lanahan 11 – The Tyranny of the Majority

            Lani Guinier was a Law Professor with new insightful, but controversial viewpoints of the issue of the American election system. The system in Guinier’s eyes was only based on the majority and she believed that minorities should still have a voice despite being the lower number. Because of this viewpoint, Guinier was denied the consideration of an assistant attorney general for the Civial Rights of the Justice Department.

            I disagree with Guinier’s fight for the minorities only in the American voting system. The purpose of a vote is to allow the majority vote to win the election. The majority and minority vote count is how the system works. I understand why the minority vote may feel as if they are not being considered, yet they are. By voting and being a number for voting , a person still has his freedom to vote and it counts even though that person who was voted for does not win.

 

 

 

 Google images search: food stamps

 

 

 

Lanahan 9 -Federalist 10

                In James Madison’s essay, Federalist 10, he discusses faction groups, or groups that attempt to dictate all in the political system. Madison states that the government should be a representative for and by the people. He presents factions in a negative light, brining the republican government forward for the better representation form of government. Madison strongly held the mindset that a republican government was the best for the people and their freedom.

                With Madison’s presentation of the effects of factions, one is unable to argue that a Republican government is the best suited for the people and freedom. Factions negatively impact society and government. Therefore, I agree with Madison in that factions should not exist in our government in order for it to run smoothly.

 

Lanahan 10 - A Machine that Would Go Itself

                In Michael Kammen’s work he introduces the various opinions of different people about the Constitution. Many quotes and views are cited about the constitution in order to present all sorts of interpretations of the vital document. Some beliefs hold the idea that the constitution is a machine and it cannot be tampered with.

                I disagree that the Constitution is a machine that should not be tampered with. On the contrary, I would say that it should be changed accordingly to the ongoings of the government. Much like the amendments, more are added that overrule others to suit the needs of the present day occurrences. 

 

Lanahan 1 - Democracy in America 

                As Tocquiville explores America and studies this whole other world unknown to him before, he experiences a truly original concept of all having an identically matched say. Before America, this notion was unthought-of, making the practice of such a government astonishing.  The rule of a monarchy was dominant at the time. After seeing the American Democracy, Tocquiville has strong opposing opinions on monarchies and valuing American Democracy.

                This visit exhibits how America has changed the way people think. Not only about how the government is run, but also the basic rights of people. Later more development on a person’s rights and government comes about in other countries, most likely as a result of America’s beginning. 

 

Lanahan 8 – The American Political Tradition                                                        

     In Richard Hofstadter’s work, The American Political Tradition, he tells of the difficulties faced by the Fathers of the Constitution when creating the Constitution. By doing so, one is able to see the success of such a document and the influence it has had on the government as we know today. The Fathers believed in the idea crafted by Thomas Hobbes; that by nature humans are selfish beings and only through a greater power, government, is man able to be controlled. Despite this, the Fathers still trusted in the idea of self government. Through using quotes of George Mason and James Madison, both of which were vital to the creation of both the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Hofstadter gives further insight to the Fathers motives behind the Constitution. Hofstadter also introduces the concept that liberty, in the eyes of the Founders, was not freedom in the sense we know it as today, but rather a right to own property.

 

     Through examining Hofstadter’s work, one sees the Fathers portrayed as strong leaders with mixed feelings toward the decisions they are faced with.  The hesitance of the Fathers seems to be somewhat true as at the time America itself rested on their shoulders. In the end, it is evident that the Fathers, who possessed the greatest of minds at the time, have created a fundamental document that further inspires and influences the world today. 

 

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_founding_fathers.html

 

 

Comments (0)

You don't have permission to comment on this page.