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.
Blogged on: Edward King, Robert Cook, and Tinisha key

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.

Posted on Edward King & Tinisha Key (awaiting third post)

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.

Posted on Robert Cook, Ed King, & Stephanie Griffin

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.

Posted on  Edward King, David Smith & Robert Cook

 

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

 

Posted on Robert Cook, David Smith and Lisa Bryson

 

 Chapter 7

1. Does objectivity still exist in the media's coverage of politics? I am sure some elements of the media still report from an objective standpoint. Our text points out that most people think there is a liberal tilt to media reporting. I also think  there is some bias in the media and in the polls that they publish.

 Of the major news outlets (CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC, NPR, NBC, etc.), which are the most objective and which seem to have the most bias? i would have to say that Foxnews is definitely the most bias. They are absolutely conservative. My parents are Republicans and that is all they will watch. They think if you heard it on Fox it is the gospel. Some people think NPR and Cnn are the most objective but I am not sure which is better. NBC is the parent company of   MSNBC  and if you listen in the daytime they are more objective than if you listen at nightwhen it is MSNBC. I think CNN leans toward the liberal side more than some of the others.

2. How does talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, etc.) affect your view of politics?
Rush Limbaugh definitely does not affect my viewpoint on politics at all . As for liberal Keith Olberann he really does not influence me either way.

Why? Rush Limiaugh  is a conservative Republican and I think he gives that party a bad name by being the most obnoxius human I have ever heard.

3. Is media objectivity important?  I think it is important for the media to be objective.
Why or why not? The public looks to thee media to give us the real unbiased edition of news. I guess the best thing we can do is watch a little bit of all of them and try to figure out the truth on our own.

Posted on Robert Cook, Jessie Griffith, & David Smith

Chapter 2

The change from the articles of Confederation to the Constitution made our govenment much stronger. We were dealing with a very weak, undefined way of governing the people. The Constitution created  the three branches of government along with separation of power and the system of checks and balances. Without the Constitution we would not have the freedoms that we are now able to enjoy.
 Within the Constitution we were given the Bill of Rights and without this we would not have freedom of speech, religion, or the press. We also would not have a fair Judicial system in that it created our right to a jury, a fair trial, due process and many other things.
The death penalty is a very controversial subject and I had always been very opposed to it. I felt  life in prison would be much harder on a criminal than just dying. However, after the publicity of the Christian, Newsom murders I have changed my way of thinking. I feel like if anyone deserved the death penalty, the animals that committed those murders do. I now think capital punishment can be ccalled for in certain instances.

Chapter 5


1.  The issue of race - does the government do too little or too much to reduce the instances of racial discrimination? Why or how so?
I do not think our government does too much to reduce racial discrimination. I find it hard to believe that as early as fifty years ago, black people had so little freedom. If the government had not stepped up, things would never have changed. I am 52 years old and I remember the first black student at my middle school. They started bussing students from across town and I remember the anger of the people of that time. That was in the early seventies.  Now, people would find that unbelievable. Without some of the landmark decisions by the courts we would not be where we are today. They deserve equality just as much as anyone else does.

2. The issue of gender - does the government do too little or too much to reduce the instances of gender discrimination? Why or how so?
I personally think the government should do more to promote equality for women. If we did not have groups such as the National Organization for Women  we would not have come as far as we have in ending discrimination. Without them we would not have had a proposed Equal Rights Amendment or the Equal Pay Act. As I have learned from the text women still do not have equal pay. The government needs to do more, not less.

3. The issue of sexual orientation - does the government do too little or too much to reduce the instances of sexual orientation? Why or how so?
I am unsure how I feel about this issue. My christian beliefs tell me it is wrong to be homosexual. Yet I think all people should have choices, so maybe things are leading in the right direction. .At least the government is recognizing that it exists and slowly working toward a solution. They certainly are not going to stop it.

 

Chapter 6



1. Polls: http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/pollingcenter/

Is American news media too dependent upon polls?
 I think they are way too dependent on the polls. By reading the text I understand there can be many errors in them but the media plays them up as though they are fact.

 Is it appropriate for news agencies to create polls and then report on them?
No, i really do not find it appropriate.

Why or why not? 
I think polls can be very bias depending on who is doing the polling. I think
they report what is in their best interest.

2. How important is political party identification to you (e.g. as a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, etc.)?
 It has never been very important to me as an individual. I have always said I was more or less democrat but I have always voted for whoever I thought would do the best job. I have always thought of myself as a fairly liberal person. Now I don't know how I feel about either party. I do not think Obama has done a very good job, but I disagree with so much of what Romney has been saying. I guess we just have to vote for what we think is the lesser of two evils.

Was it more or less important to your parents & grandparents?
Party affiliation is very important to my parents. They are strickly Republican and would never vote any other way. My grandparents basically felt the same way.  I come from a very strong Republican family.

Does it seem more or less important to your friends? I think that this election is probably more important to my friends than those in the past.

Why or why not?
I think everyone finds this election of great interest due to the economy. Everybody knows someone who is out of work right now, or has been affected in a negative way.

3. Do you feel that you opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues? Why?
I think in this election it is all about economic issues. America appears to be in trouble and the economy just does not seem to be getting any better. The price of everything just keeps going up.


I posted on Sarah Bates, Donna Binford & Lisa Bryson this week

 

Chapter 4

1. Freedom of speech: How important is it? Does the freedom go "too far"? What areas of speech should not be protected?

Freedom of speech is a very important part of our first amendment.We came to America to escape tyrrany from England.  If we could not speak freely, we could not voice our opinions. One of the great freedoms of being an American is the ability to speak, whether it be about our government or about our religion.  I do feel that it goes too far in relation to the press and media. They can crucify you without proof . There have been many incidences where people have been ruined, when they were actually innocent of the accusations that were printed about them. However, there should be certain limitations to protect us. If we did not have limitations their would be anarchy.

2. Freedom of religion: Is separation of church and state necessary? Why or why not?

Freedom of religion is very important to me. There are many countries that cannot worship as they see fit, nor can they voice opinions without punishment. I cannot imagine my government telling me I can't believe in God, or whoever I chose to worship. I do think it has been taken too far by certain groups who use it to their own advantage. Our country was based on religious freedom, but they take "separation of church and state" and use it for their own agendas.

3. Criminal procedure: Are defendant's rights crucial to our system of government? Why or why not?
Many argue that defendants have too many rights. Do you agree? Why or why not?

I do not feel that they have too many rights. If not for the 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th amendments, we would not have the guarantee of due process or a fair trial.

Chapter 3


1. Is a strong national government necessary or should the state governments have an equal share of power? Why?

The constitution gave us a framework for a stronger system of governing the people. I think it makes the country move more smoothly by regulating the power between both state and national. I do feel the national government should be the stronger of the two.
 There are certain things state government should be responsible for and certain things national government should be in control of.

2. National power increased during the Great Depression but then power began to shift back to the states (somewhat) during the Reagan administration? Why did that happen and is that shift appropriate?

After the great depressions Congress has the power to accept any taxing or spending plan they thought supported general welfare. When Reagan was elected he vowed to cut spending and did. He cut back on catagorical grants and replaced them with block grants with fewer restrcitions on how to spend them. He also did away with revenue sharing. Over a period of time spending had become so out of control with very few limits that something had to be done to reign it in.

3. Education stirs much discussion relating to the issue of federalism. Should the national government regulate education or is it a matter best left to state and local governments? Why?

I do feel that giving national government the say over education has improved the system. They have put in the Student Aid & Fiscal Resposibility Act and I would rather deal with the government than with a bank. They have also expanded spending for pell grants and have added more funding for our community colleges

Hi, my name is Pam Smith, soon to be Stewart. I was recently married, but I have not legally changed my name as of yet. I am in my second year at Roane State Community College majoring in Paralegal Studies. I spent two years as a paralegal for a Kingston attorney years ago but, I never earned my degree. I spent the next ten years as a Roane County Juvenile Court Clerk. I lost my position in 2010 due to the election. I am back in school earning my degree and I hope to specialize in the medical field and someday work in the legal department of a hospital.