Chapter 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.

The majority of our Supreme Court Justices have a might fancy pedigree from Harvard, Yale, or Princeton, with the exceptions of Samuel Alito and Elena Kagen but the one Justice I have been fascinated with since her appointment is Sonia Sotomayor. She grew up in a very middle class family who really pushed their children when it came to education. They had to save to buy a set of encyclopedias. I am sure her family did not have the money to send her to Yale or Princeton but she persevered and found a way to complete her education on her own. In her capacity as Supreme Court Justice she has voted in favor of people with disabilities, and for a woman’s right to abortion, both of which I greed with.

2.     Is Judicial Review a power that should be exercised regularly or sparingly?

I think judicial review is a positive thing if it is not taken too far.

Why?  I am leary of decisions that are made on the constitutionality of law that may be more based on the judges own ideology and their feelings rather than fact.

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 personally think the high court should adhere to the living constitution. How can we possibly know what the framers would think of the world today. I think the basic principles should be the same just try to see things more in the present.
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Chapter 13

1.     Research federal agencies and explain which one you feel is the most important one and why?

I would have to say both the (NSA) National Security Agency and the (NSC) National Security Council are of high importance to the safety of our country. The NSA prevents our foreign adversaries from gaining access to sensitive or classified national security information and they work to defeat terrorists both at home and abroad. Our NSC is a major forum for the President when considering our national security or any foreign policy matters.

2.     Which federal agency could be terminated with the least impact (if any) and why?

I think we could do away with the internal Revenue Service. The government should just put a flat tax on the people. We work very hard for our money and the government just takes it away. I think the economy would improve and there would be a lot more money in the cofers if this were possible.

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 realize with this economy that a lot of people need help but, I think there should be more emphasis put on welfare fraud. I know we already have people to do this, but if we created a new agency or maybe just revamped what we already have, and they did nothing but investigate and prosecute fraud, a lot of people would be cut out of the programs. I think in order to receive any sort of government assistance you should be able to pass a drug test as well. I worked in the juvenile court system for ten years and we had to remove many children from their parents. The majority of these parents were receiving government assistance and were using it to finance their drug addictions while their chldren did without.

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Chapter 12

 

1.     What makes a great President (not which Presidents have been great) . . . what qualities are essential to greatness?

 I think anyone who runs for the highest office in the land should first and foremost be honest. I think they should also be patriotic and love their country. They should always want the best for the people. Why? The entire United
States relies on the President to do what is right for them and if he is not honest and doesn’t love our country he would not be a very good candidate for that job.

2.     Other than Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, which two Presidents have been the greatest and why?

I think I would have to say our 32^nd President, Franklin Roosevelt and our 43^rd President, George W. Bush. They both were in office at very difficult periods in our nation’s history. President Roosevelt worked hard to pull our country out of a horrible depression and he found ways to put people back to work and put food on their tables. President Bush was in office during 911 and I think he handled it with grace and confidence. I will never forget his speeches in the aftermath. I was very proud to be an American during that period.

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?

I chose our 6^th president, John Quincy Adams. I have never really thought very much about him but he did do some pretty amazing things. He raised taxes even though some people did not like it and he used the money to create and improve roads. Since travel was mostly by boat at that time he proposed that the Federal Government bring our country together with a network of roads and canals and, he was responsible for the 185-mile C & 0 Canal. He also started the national bank and established a National University because he wanted our country to take a lead in the development of the arts and sciences.

Also posted on Robert Cook and Jesse Griffith (awaiting 3rd person)

 

Chapter 11  

 

1.     Who are your Senators and your Congressman?

Our U.S. Senators for Tennessee are Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander. Our Congressman for Tennessee is Chuck Fleischmann

2.     Research the areas they champion and find one you support. What is it and why do you also support it?

Congressman Fleischmann is a vigorous activist for the National Rifle Association.  He supports legislation that in his words, “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.” I don’t think in this day and time that anyone has the right to take our guns away.

 

Bob Corker is a very patriotic man who wholeheartedly supports our active duty military service personnel and all veterans. At a Veteran’s Day event he stated in part “Whether it’s in Afghanistan, or at a military hospital, or at a Veterans Day event in Tennessee, it is humbling and often overwhelming to be in the presence of our active duty service men and women and our nation’s veterans,” My husband was in the Marines for seven years and I know how hard it was. I respect Senator Corker for taking a stand on behalf of our military personnel.

Lamar Alexander voted for the nuclear arms treaty with Russia and I think that is a vote in the right direction. If the treaty will enhance stability and lower the number of nuclear weapons then I am definitely for it.   It will allow us on-site access to Russian missile silos and I think we have every right to know what they are doing. I think it will strengthen our national security.

        3. Find an issue one of your Senators or Congressman champions that you disagree with. Why
            do you disagree?
           Congressman Chuck Fleischmann is against abortion at any time, whether it be in the 

           first trimester or later in the pregnancy. I am for abortion even though it is a touchy subject    
            and  I don’t think I could ever do it. I feel like as a woman that is our decision.                         
           There are circumstances where I feel it would be the right thing to do.

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Chapter 10

 

1.     Read Bush v. Gore in the text.  Do you agree with the majority or the dissenting opinion?   

I think that Bush was right in asking for an injunction to stop the recounts.

Why?

 There was absolutely no way for sure to know what those voters intended. It would have been ludicrous to continue. It was almost like Gore thought if we keep recounting them in different ways he would win.

2. Is the ability to fundraise too important in elections? 

I think they put too much focus on the money issue. I know it costs a tremendous amount of money to pay for fundraising and for media ads but, I think it is a shame that so much money gets wasted when there could be less expensive alternatives. It’s almost like the candidates have to see who can outdo the other one.  It is all about who has the most bucks.

In other words, are good candidates prevented from running because they cannot raise the needed funds?

I feel sure that the lack of money has kept many excellent candidates from running. If a person has the ability to raise enormous amounts of money then that is their personal freedom to do so and most likely the person who spends the most will win. You can’t get yourself out there as a candidate without campaign spending for fundraising, ads and news spots.

Can/should something be done to correct this if it is a problem?

 I think the government has done all they should. They have already put limits on campaign finance.

3. Why is there such voter apathy - in other words, why is there often such low voter turnout for elections? 

 I think a lot of people just think it is a waste of time and that their vote doesn’t count. However, there are lots of reasons not to vote. I think by having early voting we have a better turnout due to the fact that the election is on a workday and most people have to work.

Is there a way to rectify this problem?

It would be nice if we all had more faith in our government.

I think as technology advances and we are given more convenient methods of voting I think turnouts will increase. The voters have to feel like they are getting something out it.

Also posted on Stephanie Griffin, Robert Cook & Edward King

 

Chapter 9

Which political party do you most identify with?

I have never really identified myself as either democrat or a republican. I guess now I would have to say I identify more with the Democratic Party.

Why?

I think the Republican Party has become so bipartisan that they just want their way no matter what the cost to the people. They just want to win and prove they are right no matter what the cost and they refuse to agree on anything a Democrat stands for.

Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree?

There are things in both parties’ platforms that I may disagree with, like abortion. I have very mixed feelings on some of the issues that I am just not comfortable with. I think the Republicans want to take that right away from women without thinking the whole thing through, just for votes.

2. Does America need political parties?

I definitely think political parties are needed.

The founders originally hoped that American politics would operate without need of parties? Would that work today?

I do not think that would work in our country today.

Why?

The people of this country and their feelings have become so diverse that I think we should have these options to make choices.

3. Please research lesser known political parties - which one do you most identify with?

The Justice Party USA

Why?

The Justice Party USA is a political party in the United States that was formed in 2011. This party is working for campaign finance reforms and does not accept corporate funding. It wants to abolish corporate personhood. I think that we should be able to sue a corporation. They should not have that kind of protection. The party and its founder are in favor of a financial transaction tax and want to end the Bush tax cuts. I am really not sure whether I agree with this aspect of it or not but, they are against the enlarging of the Keystone Pipelineand want a ban on mountaintop removal mining. I absolutely agree with them on these two issues. We have very limited aquifers in the western states and if there was ever a leak it could be a catastrophe. I have seen the effects of mountaintop mining and a reclaimed mountaintop never looks the same again. They are also proponents for a single payer health system. It describes itself as advocating economic justice through measures such as green jobs and a right to organize, environment justice through enforcing employee safeguards in trade agreements, and social and civic justice through universal health care. I have to say I agree with all of these issues. My son lived in Canada where they have a very similar system and he greatly benefited from it.

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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.

I chose to research HERE. This stands for Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union.

What did you learn?

This union was formed in 1891. I found that they have worked to help organize hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers. Many of the people that work in this field are African-Americans, Latino and Asian immigrants. The majority of these employees are female and they work in hotels, casinos, industrial laundries, institutional cafeterias, airport concessions, and apparel manufacturing, distribution, and retail facilities.

What did you find interesting?

Many of the jobs that they support have always been low paying labor jobs. With the support of the union, wages have definitely increased and so have conditions. Many of these people, particularly women would not be able to work at any other job. This type of employment is very hard work and they deserve to be compensated for it.

Do you agree/disagree with their positions on issues?

I definitely agree with what they stand for. They are very important issues.

Why?

I agree with the issues because they battles for workers’ rights, immigration reform, living wages, and quality jobs for all members of the industry.

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 chose the IAFF, International Association of Firefighters. My father is a retired captain in the fire department. I remember growing up how low his pay was and how dangerous his job duties were. In his career he was injured on more than one occasion. This union was formed in 1903 and from the beginning they have fought for better wages, improved safety for firefighters, and to better serve their communities. They are one of the most active lobbying organizations in Washington and, FIREPAC is among the top 25 PACS in the country. They strive to promote as safe and healthy a working environment for fire fighters as is possible through modern technology, to promote the establishment of just and reasonable working conditions, to encourage the formation of sick and death benefit funds, and they promote the research and treatment of burns and other related health problems common to fire fighters. All of these are very important issues.

3.     Do interest groups have enough/too much/the right amount of power in the political system?

There are times when I feel they have way too much power. However, I do feel that they serve a very important purpose.

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 crossing the line would be when our legislators can be bought off by what these groups can provide for them

 

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