Blog Assignment #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.
A) One interesting thing I noticed was that all of the Justices had law school backgrounds, but most of them additionally got their degrees in law from Harvard. Many of them also were law professors at one time or another. I looked into the cases of the Chief Justice, John G. Roberts, Jr. and I do generally agree with his judicial philosophy. The thing that made me agree with him more so was because he doesn't vote all liberal or all conservative. His voting and judgement seems to be based more on the individual cases than a party loyalty. Not all of his choices in the cases I agree with, but I do think he is thinking more for the people than himself or his title.

2. Is Judicial Review a power that should be exercised regularly or sparingly?  Why?
A) I think it shouldn't be exercised to an extensive amount otherwise things may never get passed, but it is important to be done on a regular basis to prevent Congress from passing superficial or selfish bills.

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?
A) I think they must never loss the ideologies on which this country was founded on, but there are changes that must be made with a changing world. It would make no sense in today's society to own slaves or allow people to be executed by hanging as a regular punishment. Things must change as the time changes, but I do think that the Framers had reasons for why they made our country's government this way, and to make it the polar opposite would be a great disrespect and wrongdoing to do to them and our nation.

Blogs I Commented On: Matthew Cooper,Stephanie Steele, and Dylan Thevenard

Being a Law Student:

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Blog Assignment #13

1. Research federal agencies and explain which one you feel is the most important one and why?
A) The most important federal agency and department to me is the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces. This department makes up the various arm forces, including Army, Navy, Air Force, etc. The people who serve our nation through the arm forces often are faced with great sacrifice. Sacrifice from their families, their social lives, their income, and sometime even the ultimate sacrifice of their lives all for you and me. So, to me that is the most important.

2. Which federal agency could be terminated with the least impact (if any) and why?
A) Most of the agencies seem very important so it was hard to narrow down ones that could be eliminated without aftermath. I did find that the Wirtz Labor Library was slightly less important in my opinion that some of the other ones. It's a library that holds records on labor, unions, grow and development, and while to some people that may be very important, on the list next to disability agencies, intelligence agencies, and so on seemed more important than it.

3. Are any new agencies needed?  In other words, if you were president would you create new agencies?  If so, in what area(s)?
A) There were a lot of agencies, but I noticed there didn't seem to be one on the educational purpose of a library or organization of religions. Maybe this was never created due to separation of church and state, but I think that for education purposes an agency for this reason could be very helpful. So many people don't get involved in religions because they just aren't informed. Some of this is self-inflicted, but I don't know how many times people have accused me, being a Christian, of believing in ridiculous things simply because they heard a rumor of such. I know there's even a lot of misconceptions between different denominations of the same religion, such as Baptists versus Southern Baptists or Catholicism, etc. So if there was an archive or library based agency on the education of this, maybe less people would be confused.

Blogs I Commented On: Matthew Cooper, Katelyn Dozier, and Nikki Stair

When the Government Agencies Close

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Blog Assignment #12

1. What makes a great President (not which Presidents have been great) . . . what qualities are essential to greatness?  Why?
A) They must have a clear set of goals for their presidency as well as thought out plans to put those goals to action. As for personal qualities, I think they have to have good time-management and not be a procrastinator in nature. They must have a strict work-ethic, being prepared to work long hours and go all over the globe. But I think most of all, they need to put the people's voice and priorities before their own. They cannot let selfishness get in the way of trying to do their best for their nation.

2. Other than Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, which two Presidents have been the greatest and why?
A) I think two of the most successful presidents besides the two listed were President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had two very tough issues to face early in his presidencies that many others didn't; he had to find a way to balance out the crumbling economy with the Great Depression, and he had to face the terrifying second part of a war that succumbed the globe, World War II. The fact that he held the country together during both crises to me makes him a great president. As for Reagan, while there were downsides to his terms, such as high deficits and federal spending, he cut taxes, fought hard to getting the Berlin Wall to fall as well as the oppressive forces of communism, helped to reduce inflation, and more. He had flaws in some of his ideas, but I respect his openness in his faith as well as his desire to get a US Constitution Amendment passed prohibiting the banning of public school prayer.

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?
A) I really didn't know much about President Glover Cleveland. His wife was the youngest first lady ever, marrying him in the White House at the age of 21. He is also unique because he was the only president to serve two, nonconsecutive terms, being the 22nd and 24th President of the US. He was won the popular vote of the people in three presidential elections, 1884, 1888, and 1892, but lost the electoral vote in 1888. He was successful in his first presidency, cracking down on political corruption and promoting care for businesses, farmers, and veterans, but his second term started out disastrous in a way he couldn't reverse thanks to a national depression caused by Panic of 1893. However, he is known for his honesty and integrity even in his failures in his second term.

Blogs I Commented On: Katelyn Dozier, Matthew Cooper, and Donna Fox

President Dr. Who

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Blog Assignment #11

1. Who are your Senators and your Congressman?
A) In my district, the senators are Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker. The Congressman in my district is a congresswoman named Diane Black. Alexander has been incumbent since 2003 and Corker has been incumbent since 2007. Black is a more recent addition, having first been elected back in 2011.

2. Research the areas they champion and find one you support.  What is it and why do you also support it?
A) One issue Lamar champions that I agree with is his view on how ISIS should be dealt with. He isn't against using military force against the terrorist group, but he wants the President to come up with a clear set plan for which he can then present to the legislators to collaborate on. He believes that we can only be united as a nation on this issue if the branches of government work together.

3. Find an issue one of your Senators or Congressman champions that you disagree with.  Why do you disagree?
A) One issue I wasn't completely against but slightly disagreed with was Corker's decision to pass a bill called Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008. The idea being that people driving more environmentally friendly vehicles (specially electronic ones) would receive tax credit within a specific time-frame based on the energy they used electronically instead of through fuel. While the idea isn't a horrible idea, I think the reason I'm wary of it is the fact that it gives a select handful of people a tax credit for being able to buy a $50,000+ car that runs on electricity. That's great if you can afford such a car, but for the average populace that's sadly not an option. I'm all for saving the environment and cutting back on gas usage, but this tax credit would only be used for specific cases, and they budgeted that this bill would cost 150.5 billion dollars in ten years. Maybe ten years from now, I will be able to buy an expensive electric car, but as of now, this bill is completely useless to me.

Blogs I Commented On: Katelyn Dozier, Donna Fox, and Matthew Cooper

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Blog Assignment #10

1. Read Bush v. Gore in the text.  Do you agree with the majority or the dissenting opinion?  Why?
A) I agree with the majority opinion, but I understand the dissenting opinion. There were a lot of issues with this election and while they could have spent months recounting and re-looking at every aspect, it would've delayed the actual inauguration as well as could have proved pointless. It would have just been a lot of time and money spent on something that probably would have shown similar results. I can see why others would argue that we'll never know who actually won, but I think that there has to be a point where you stop and say, "I lost. That's it."
2. Is the ability to fundraise too important in elections?  In other words, are good candidates prevented from running because they cannot raise the needed funds?  Can/should something be done to correct this if it is a problem?
A) I do think it goes overboard sometimes. Sometimes I think that money involved helps to ween out some of the unprofessional candidates (candidates with pointless and odd campaign goals), but I do think it also limits some of the small town heroes we could gain in the political system. Everything is too money based nowadays. You want a job, pay to go to school for it, you want to write a book, pay your own money to self-publish it, you want to get elected, you need money to get everyone's eye. And while, I do think that it is a matter of how much effort you put into it, I think that if we could have more avenues to display all the candidates at the same time, such as a multi-candidate debate, then we could get some of these people with less connections in the limelight too. This isn't a popularity contest, it's the election of our world leaders.
3. Why is there such voter apathy - in other words, why is there often such low voter turnout for elections?  Is there a way to rectify this problem?
A) I think a lot of it has to do with self-identity and the disbelief that this person's vote matters. People who refuse to vote often to seem to think they have no chance of influencing the vote. I think if people would seek out stories of candidates overcoming party-dominant states or other odds, maybe people would see that even underdogs win and that their votes really do matter. Also if the subject matters enough to them, I think they'd vote. So I think voters have to personalize the voting to themselves to grow the desire to vote.

Blogs I Commented On: Donna Fox, Katelyn Dozier, and Matthew Cooper

Campaign Slogans...

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Blog Assignment #9

1. Which political party do you most identify with?  Why?  Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree?
A) I most identify with the Republican party because I have many conservative ideologies that match theirs. I do disagree with the way Republican party members may turn lack of federal government involvement into a lack of care to those that need government assistance. I do think that these systems such as welfare are abused sadly, but I do recognize that there are people that cannot live without such systems. Sometimes the Republican party can come across as uncaring because it is less supporting towards government assistance programs such as socialized healthcare and such.

2. Does America need political parties?  The founders originally hoped that American politics would operate without need of parties?  Would that work today?  Why?
A) I wish it didn't rely on political parties but in today's day and age I don't know if people could willingly organize themselves strong enough to properly campaign and get their ideologies passed otherwise. Sadly, we have a lot of political ranters, people who whine about politics but have no plans or clue how to translate those opinions into actions. I do think it's sad that if you aren't attached to a party you have next to no chance of election otherwise, but I do think there are some advantages and necessary things that political parties add to the government.

3. Please research lesser known political parties - which one do you most identify with?  Why?
A) I identify with the American Conservative Party because it stresses many of the same things that the Republican party does but takes it stricter in wanting more social political issues to be state and local jurisdiction, not federal, such as marriage laws, abortion laws, and education standards. Some of the other minor parties were interesting to see. I had no idea there was a United States Marijuana Party or a Prohibition Party.

Blogs I Commented On: Donna Fox, Matthew Cooper, and Katelyn Dozier

Founding Fathers on Political Parties

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Blog Assignment #8

1. From figure 8.1 in the text, select one of the interest groups and do some research on their issues and beliefs.  What did you learn?  What did you find interesting?  Do you agree/disagree with their positions on issues? Why?
A) I looked into the National Education Association and learned their primary goal in the promotion of increased student productivity and opportunities in public schools across the country. One thing that I found that was interesting was a policy briefing issued directly from the NEA discussing statistically findings of bullying in schools as well as recommendations for educators on how to actually handle bullying if they encounter it. It was enlightening to see their efforts outside of just the budget concerns and actual education standards for grading and district standings. I do agree with their positions on the issues of the public school system because coming from a public school in a state (CA) that spent almost half of its budget alone on education yet has placed 48th in educational rankings continuously, I have seen first hands the issues with traditional public schools and why I don't recommend them to parents and friends when asked.

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?
A) I find the work that the interest group, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, does important and positive. They're main goal is to take animals out of abusive environments, treat them, and find them forever homes. They are very persuasive because they are well-known for commercials showing neglected animals to sad music in an attempt appeal to people into donating to their cause. Furthermore, I am personally persuaded because I know that there are millions of animals that are treated cruelly, and I feel like I am actually helping when I involve myself in their efforts. Furthermore, they have monthly donation plans that cost about 60 cents a day. I feel like I have far less important things that I can give up the money from to go towards a cause like that.

3. Do interest groups have enough/too much/the right amount of power in the political system?  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?
A) I think it depends on the interest group. Economic ones and more political ones that have to do with legislation or depend on government funding may have a tendency to have too much power in the political system. When they have a name that can make the public sway one way or another, that's when I worry about the scale of power. One incident that comes to mind is when Susan G Komen took away funding to Planned Parenthood when investigations proved that the funds they were donating to the group weren't being spent on mammogram exams but on other clinical uses. Planned Parenthood then turned it around and used its name to call Susan G Komen hypocritical and against women's health because of the pulled funding. This caused pressure from the public against the Breast Cancer group.

Blogs I Commented On: Katelyn Dozier, Donna Fox, and Matthew Cooper

Government and Interest Group Backing

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