Transcript How to create a more perfect union…

How to create a more perfect
union…
How the heck can it be more perfect?
Federalism: Sharing power
between the states and
the federal government
Powers…
• Expressed: powers described in
specific detail in Article I Section 8
of the Constitution
• Implied Powers: Also says
Congress may make all laws
“necessary and proper” to carry
out the expressed powers. This is
also called the ELASTIC CLAUSE…
why?
• Federal Supremacy: Federal
laws supersede state laws… for
example, legalization of
marijuana.
The Dandelion – Leslie Porter’s Cousin in Boulder
• Concurrent Powers: sharing powers between federal and states
• Reserved Powers: 10th Ammendment- all powers not given to the national government
remain with the states and the people.
• Full Faith and Credit Clause: each state would give credit to the public acts, records, and
judicial proceedings of every other state for people who moved there… gay marriage?
Legalization of drugs?
•In return, the people had to obey the laws of the new state. It’s mainly to keep states
from discriminating against non-residents.
Justice…with a J.
• Court system had to gain
trust and calm fears.
• Made of a Supreme Court
and lower federal courts,
because you can’t have 300+
million people taking up the
time of 9 justices. Nothing
would ever be accomplished.
Want to see this in action?
• 3 Main Points to our Justice
System
• All people are equal
before the law
•Is this true?
• All people are entitled to
treatment that reflects
individual dignity and
value (Next Photos)
• All people are presumed
innocent until proven
guilty
•Do you think we should
change this? I mean is it
really possible to be
presumed innocent with
today’s media?
• Oh… and people have to
believe in the law. (See:
Prohibition, soon to be
Marijuana)
The next photos are somewhat disturbing, but I
feel it’s important for you all to know about
this…
Al Gharib Prison,
Thanks Eli Ubelhor.
We can watch a video clip of journalist Christopher Hitchens voluntarily undergoing water
boarding… and then I’ll explain the viewpoint of those who say waterboarding is not torture.
The West Memphis Three
Interested? There’s a small video…
Insuring Domestic
Tranquility
• You have the right to
assemble peacefully, but you
cannot trespass or disturb
others’ rest.
•What about loud music?
It’s disturbing the peace and
interrupting my naps at red
lights.
•If local officials refuse to
comply, the national guard
can be called in.
Providing for the Common
Defense
• Splits between
Congress and
the President
•Congress: declare war,
ratify alliances, and raise an
army and navy.
•President: commander in
chief
• Until the Cold War (1950’s),
America had generally scaled
back after wars… then the big
bang happened and everyone
went crazy. (see bomb shelter
on College Highway)
National Defense has 3 parts…
• National Will: People have to
support the war (see Vietnam,
Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan)
•Technology: We have to keep
inventing or we risk being taken
over. Do you agree?
•Foreign Alliances: We have to
have others who have our back,
or else, we’ll get jumped.
Speaking of
which, can
you name all
of the United
States’ Allies
in NATO?
PGO!
• Write them on the
board, I’ll give you 3
minutes and 2 people to
write. There are 28 of
them…
Promoting the General
Welfare
So, let’s talk about a few
things that would be
really bad if it happened
in this country and would
make people not want to
live here…
How far should the
government go to
promote each citizen’s
general welfare? How
much are you willing to
pay in order to be
provided for?
Write on a sheet of paper:
It would be nice if I didn’t have to
worry about _______________ in….
5 years (1 minute)
20 years (1 minute)
The last 5 years of my life
Now share with each other… 2 min.
• Government services
consume about 60% of taxes
the government collects. Out
of every 5 days you will work,
2 of those will be taken for
taxes. (Seems a little high, I
think it’s more like 1.75)
•And of all the things to grow
in the American budget (food,
housing, transportation) taxes
have grown faster than any
other. Think this is fair? (You
know what I’m going to say,
don’t you?)
•Criticism of Social Programs: it
discourages individual efforts, welfare
recipients who don’t work are a burden
to society.
•Welfare lottery abuse video if you’re
interested….
How many of you work in jobs where you deal
with people on welfare? What percentage do
you think abuse the system?
This was a big deal last year in government… IN almost went along with it, but…
The Daily Show did a report (February 2nd, 2012 25:00)
Secure the Blessings of
Liberty for the People
•
1780’s, foreigners say Americans
are the freest (that just looks
funny, doesn’t it?) people in the
world.
•
Liberty: the right to pursue one’s
own life-style, occupation, and
personal philosophy
•
This cannot interfere with the right
of others to enjoy their own lives
and property. The government
calls these SAFEGUARDS. These
are also in place for the greater
good. (example: driving your car)
•
Most people agree that there
should be rules… can you think of
any rules that you would like to
have in that aren’t already in
place?
Safeguards….
Anarchy (no rules- You’re doing it right.)
Separation of Power
• Why? Because tyranny
results when a single
body holds all power.
• The 4th Branch of
Government:
independent regulatory
agencies… president
appoints them, but he
does not control the
decisions made.
• Supreme Court: Lifetime
tenure is overpowering,
according to some critics.
Can you tell me who these people are and their names for points?
Let’s Match…
• Loretta
• E. Dickson
• Robert
• H. Rush
• Brent
• S. Massa
• Mark
• David
• Steven
• D. Rucker
Let’s Match…
• Loretta
• E. Dickson
• Robert
• H. Rush
• Brent
• S. Massa
• Mark
• David
• Steven
• D. Rucker
Let’s Match…
• Loretta
• E. Dickson
• Robert
• H. Rush
• Brent
• S. Massa
• Mark
• David
• Steven
• D. Rucker
Let’s Match…
• Loretta
• E. Dickson
• Robert
• H. Rush
• Brent
• S. Massa
• Mark
• David
• Steven
• D. Rucker
Let’s Match…
• Loretta
• E. Dickson
• Robert
• H. Rush
• Brent
• S. Massa
• Mark
• David
• Steven
• D. Rucker
Checks and Balances
(See Handout)
The Constitution is Alive!
• Strict Constructionists: People
who say the government can’t
do anything that is not
expressly allowed by the
Constitution…
CONSERVATIVES.
• Loose Constructionists: Feel
the government should have
the right to implied powers to
make changes over
time…LIBERALS.
• One strength of the
Constitution is that it is short,
clear, and direct… but a
weakness is that it doesn’t
cover everything. (See:
Seceding from the Union and
the Civil War)
• Unwritten constitution:
political traditions such as the
President’s cabinet, helping a
new president to transition
into power
The Constitution Promotes
• Optimism: our government
reflects the view that people
are rational, clear-thinking,
and will work to keep
themselves informed of issues.
They also thought that people
would be concerned about the
well-being of both their
country and their fellow
citizens… wow, were they
wrong!
• Change: Through the Use of
Amendments
• Proposed by 2/3 of both
houses of Congress, ratified by
3/4 of the state legislature…25
of 27 amendments have been
done this way.
•
Started same as above…
but approved by special
constitutional conventions
(3/4 again)
TEST NEXT CLASS OVER
CHAPTERS 1-3
MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR
ARTICLES ONLINE, DON’T GIVE ME
ANY EXCUSES