C6

Economic Left/Right: -3.00

Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.15

I'd like to know why the questions involve a persons feelings. I can see how emotions are related slightly towards politics, but they're not necessarily something you base beliefs off. For example, the question about optimism. What exactly does this have to do with politics? 

C5

Question 1: In your own words, define leadership. What is your purpose of trying to become a leader?
Question 2: What would you consider to be the political flaws in your ideological beliefs?

C4

Honestly, I think I would do really well either as the Online Guru, or the Print Ad Mavens. I've always had a knack for creating posters and such, in fact this year I made the posters for the Pop Quiz Team! I have access to Photoshop, and honestly I just like to make posters. I'M GOOD AT WHAT I DO, AND I'LL CHOOSE FLATTERING PICTURES. XOXO
In terms of being the online guru, I'm a Wiz when it comes to anything related to social  media. I know how to easily navigate all things related to Facebook or Twitter, so doing this would be fun!

C3

Since 1965, the Federal Government has spent $2 trillion on elementary and secondary education with no improvement academic achievement. This being said, I believe that we need to make a change to our education system. No longer will we live under the stigma of the average education. No longer will Americans be seen as the lowest on the totem poll of knowledge. Instead, we will increase our knowledge and reclaim our position at the top. 

Education needs to be more of a priority in our society. Children going to school for their entire lives eventually get discouraged and do not want to end up going to college in the long run. This being said, we need to make college more attainable for everyone, not just people with money. However, a problem of this magnitude cannot be solved just by changing a few things. Instead, we need to teach children from the beginning. For example, instilling the Head Start program and facilitating state reading initiatives. This will then increase the popularity of reading and knowledge. 

Following this, We need to allow federal dollars to follow children to the schools of their choice. Part of living in America means choosing where you want to go to school, what major you want, all these choices can be made. Why not be able to choose the college in which you spend so much time? If the amount of time spent at a college is unpleasant, students will be less likely to return and continue their education. Let’s allow students to choose where to go and be the pilots of their own journey through life! 

                Going to college is expensive, as anyone would know. Yearly, the costs rise due to inflation. Nationwide, student loan debt now exceeds credit card debts, roughly $23,000 for each of the 35,000,000 debtors taking years to pay off. This is unacceptable! Federal student aid is on a downwards spirial, and efforts to help families make more prudent choices about a students future should be taken into consideration. The Federal Government should NOT be in the business of handing out student loans. Instead, students receive loans from a private sector. Students should welcome private sectors.

                Overall, us Americans need to stick to our traditional roots. We need not stray away from what we know and love, the Constitution. As many songs have said previously, the children are in fact the future. You train a child how you want them to act, and when they’re old they act in that fashion. It is the same aspect with education. Essentially, all we need to do is have education in a more positive light, and make education more affordable. Not only will this benefit us as a country, but our economy will be thanking us as well. 

C2

1. The Democratic Party has a belief oriented towards the American people. The Democratic party believes in providing jobs, cutting taxes for the lower-middle class, national health care. Essentially, all things that are beneficial. This is not to say of course that the Republican party does not have ideas that are beneficial in any way. Their ways of going about it aren't exactly the smartest. The Democratic party is also more oriented towards the environment. The Republican party believes in essentially keeping the government as traditional as possible. For this reason, many Republicans do not believe in Abortions, or gay marriage.

C1

1. According to this quiz, I am a Liberal. My personal issues score was a 60% and my Economic issues score was a 20%.
2. So, is a Statist basically like a conservative?

B8

A. 1. "The supremacy of the national government over the state." this is important to the supremacy clause.
     2. "The national government has certain implied powers that go beyond enumerated powers." this is derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

B. 1. The Full Faith and Credit Clause basically states that if a person is married, has a drivers license, or has some official certificate or license in another state that it is good across state lines. The exception is the case of a divorce.
     2. The Privileges and Immunities Clause prevents States from treating people in a manner which is discriminatory to people of other states.

B7

A. 1. Advantages of Federalism include the fact that there is one common currency, a more centralized military, and laws can be enforced within state walls.
     2. A unitary form of government is where the government essentially has all the control. Basically, they make all the big decisions. There are two levels, and the local government serves essentially as a way to carry out the wishes of the central government. However, a confederation is the permanent bond of a group of people who all think alike and work together for a common goal. Usually, confederations are used as a first hand way to deal with problems with politics and such. In my opinion, a unitary government would be a heck of a lot better to live under, simply because everything would be uniform. Yes, people would have less say, but there would be less chaos. It would be sort of more relaxing.

B. 1. According to Article 1, Section 8, the National government has the power to coin money. I assume this is the case because not only does it prevent the creation of false currencies, but it makes life a lot easier in the sense that there is a uniform currency.
    2. In terms of the states powers, states have the power to hold elections as well as establish local government.
    3. A concurrent law would simply be the ability to create laws and provide defense for the country.

B6

1. a. The first method is an amendment is proposed by Congress, and then it is voted on (2/3).  In order to be ratified, a convention must be held and the states must come up with a 3/4 consensus. 

    b. One informal way of changing the constitution is simply by the use of political parties. Citizens vote on who is desired to be president, and the person with the most votes essentially wins. Political parties were not in the constitution. Another example is simply supreme court cases, like Brown Vs. Board of Education. Another example is simple legislation, which just spells out everything that the constitution already says without actually changing it in any way. Also, one can take into account the elastic clause. 

    c. Overall, informal amendment processes are much easier and they go a lot faster. Also, by partaking in the informal amendment process, nothing is actually changed about the Constitution. 

B4

1. Whenever a group of people needs to split from the government and assert their independence, they must first tell the reasons as for doing so. All men are created equal, and are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
2. The audience is the American people. The reason the DoI was created was to explain grief that was felt towards the British people. In a sense, the DoI was also intended for the eyes of the British king, in hopes he would see the troubles people have felt.
3. The fact that when stating the grievances against the king, the writers use "he" which makes it less personal.

B2

the Patriot act gives the government the right to search people at airports. However, this brings up the question of whether or not that's racial profiling. The government can also arrest people who provide for known  offenders,  as well as people thought to be dangerous. On one episode of 30 Rock Riz meets her new neighbor who is from the middle east.  she automatically assumes that he's a terrorist, when it turns out he was auditioning for the amazing race. I believe that ample proof is needed, or even just A little bit. Accusing blindly is simply wrong. 

Constitutional Amendment

In terms of Marriage, any couple has the right to get married, regardless of race, geneder, sexuality, or upbringing. America was created on the idea of freedoms, freedom of Speech, Religion, the Press, so why not have freedom to live life as one wishes? It's only fair for American Citizens to be able to marry who they wish as they wish.

Summer Assignment

Name: ____________________________________

AP U.S. Government & Politics

THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

Read the U.S. Constitution. Complete this worksheet using any online or print resources you require – you’ll keep it in your notebook all year.

A.    Create a Table of Contents: The Original Constitution

Read each article of the Constitution. Summarize the general purpose or subject(s) of each article, and then write down the meanings of any unfamiliar terms (look them up) or any bigger questions you have for discussion. This can be a place for creative “what-if” questions, too – now is a great time to write them down.

ARTICLE	BIG IDEA: THE SUBJECT	DETAILS: UNFAMILIAR TERMS & QUESTIONS FOR CLASS
I	The Legislative Branch
II	The Executive Branch
III	The Judicial Branch
IV	The States
V	Amendments
VI	Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
VII	Ratification

Follow-Up #1:

Which Article is longest and most detailed? Why do you think that is?

Article I is the longest and most detailed, and this is simply because it states the limitations to Congress.  

B.         Create a Table of Contents: The Amendments

            Identify the main point of each Constitutional amendment.

AMENDMENT	BIG IDEA: WHAT DID THIS AMENDMENT ACCOMPLISH?
1	Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, Petition
2	Right to Bear Arms
3	Quartering of Soldiers
4	Search and Seizure
5	Grand jury, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due process
6	Rights of Accused in Criminal Prosecutions: Rights to Jury Trial, to Confront Opposing witnesses and to Counsel
7	Jury Trial
8	Protections against Excessive Bail, Cruel and Unusual Punishment
9	Non-Enumerated Rights
10	Rights Reserved to States
11	Suits Against a State
12	Election of President and Vice-President
13	Abolition of Slavery and Involuntary Servitude
14	Protects rights against state infringements, defines citizenship, prohibits states from interfering with privileges and immunities, requires due process and equal protection, punishes states for denying vote, and disqualifies Confederate officials and debts
15	Voting Rights
16	Federal Income Tax
17	Popular Election of Senators
18	Prohibition
19	Women's Right to Vote
20	Commencement of Presidential Term and Succession
21	Repeal of 18th Amendment (Prohibition)
22	Two-Term Limitation on President
23	District of Columbia Presidential Vote
24	Abolition of Poll Tax Requirement in Federal Elections
25	Presidential Vacancy, Disability and Inability
26	Right to Vote at Age 18
27	Congressional Compensation

Follow-Up #2:

If you could only keep two amendments to the Constitution, which would they be? Why?

I would keep the First Amendment as well as the Nineteenth Amendment, because the First has to do with the various freedoms and the Nineteenth has to do with women's right to vote. 

C.       The Three Branches: Powers

Enumerated powers are those listed specifically in the Constitution. Look through the first three Articles for examples.

Pay careful attention to checks and balances – how each branch of government controls the others.

Remember to answer in your own words, and to look up what you don’t understand. That method will help you the most.

                       

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Checks & Balances: What are TWO enumerated powers it has over the president? Veto, Pocket Veto, and impeach the President

Checks & Balances: What’s ONE enumerated power it has over the courts? Impeachment

What other enumerated powers does Congress have?

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Checks & Balances: What’s ONE enumerated power it has over Congress?

Checks & Balances: What’s ONE enumerated power it has over the courts?

What other enumerated powers does the president have?

JUDICIAL BRANCH

Checks & Balances: What’s ONE enumerated power it has over the president?

Checks & Balances: What’s ONE enumerated power it has over Congress?

What other enumerated powers do the courts have?

Follow-Up #3:

Identify and explain two powers that the Constitution specifically DENIES to Congress.  

 Article I, Sec 8 denies Congress the power to prohibit state-approved migration before 1808, suspend the write of Habeas Corpus outside of rebellion or invasion, pass bills of attainder of ex post facto laws. Congress is also limited by the Amendments to the Constitution, such as the first amendment which prohibits Congress from making a law respecting an establishment of religion or abridging Freedom of Speech. 

D.       Rules for Policymakers

What requirements can you find to hold political office in the United States? Fill in the table below with your findings.

	REPRESENTATIVE (U.S. HOUSE)	SENATOR  (U.S. SENATE)	PRESIDENT	SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
Age Requirement	25 years	30 years	35 years	18 years
Citizenship Requirement	7 years	Living in the US for at least 7 years	Born in the US	Born in the US
Length of Term	2 years	4 years	4 years	Lifetime
Gaining Office: How does it happen? Who is Involved?	Elected by voters in the State and district they represent	Elected by the general population	Become nominated by their party (IE: Democratic or Republican Parties)	Appointed by the President.

Follow-Up #4:

Why would the requirements vary for different offices? Come up with some theories on why the founders would make different rules for different branches.

 The requirements vary because each office does a different job. It would be too overwhelming for one branch of Government to do one job, so the Founding Fathers came up with a way to distribute the power equally enough to get the job done. 

E.       The Amendment Process

In your own words, describe TWO ways to propose an amendment, and TWO ways to ratify an amendment.

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT	RATIFYING AN AMENDMENT
Whenever 2/3 of both Houses of Congress deem it necessary	3/4 of the States agree to have the Amendment Ratified
on the Application of the Legislatures of 2/3 of the several states, Congress can call a convention for proposing Amendments	Constitutional Convention

Follow-Up #5:

Can you find which process of proposal and ratification has been used most often? Which has never been used? Any ideas why?

F.         Grab Bag: Additional Questions

1. Identify two powers the Constitution prohibits the states from having. 
 No state shall, without the consent of congress lay ant duty of tonnage, keep troops, ships of war in time of peace.
 
2. The court of original jurisdiction is the first court that hears a case. Although the Supreme Court mostly hears cases on appeal from a lower court, what kinds of cases does it have original jurisdiction?

Cases affecting ambassadors and  other public ministers, as well as disputes between the States 
 
 
3. Who has the power to declare war? What powers do the other branches have during a war?
 Congress can declare war. 
 
4. The Constitution requires only a simple majority for some actions. (That means anything over half). It requires a supermajority for others. (A majority greater than merely a simple one). Find two actions that require a supermajority. Why do you think the Constitution requires this?
 Impeaching, Expelling a Member of Congress, Overriding a Veto, Suspending the Rules, Ending a Fillibuster. 
 
5. Find two ways to remove a president from office – one in the original Constitution, and one in the amendments. Describe each in your own words, and be sure to say where you found each method.
 To remove a President, they must be impeached by the House of Representatives. Basically, the House Judicial committee appoints a prosecutor who presents the case to the members of the House. If the House votes to impeach, it is sent to the Senate for trial. After the trial, if 2/3 majority find him unfit for office he is removed. 
 
6.   If no candidate for the presidency wins a simple majority of the total number of electoral votes, what body has the power to choose the president? 
The House of Representatives choses the President and the Senate chooses the Vice President.  

7. How many electoral votes does one need to become president?
 270

8. Where in the Constitution is the Electoral College described? (Hint: there are two parts) 

Electoral College is not actually mentioned in the Constitution. Article II of the Constitution and the 12th Amendment refers to the electors, but not the electoral college. 

9. How were US Senators chosen before the Seventh Amendment? 
 Election or elected by State Legislatures 

10. Who creates executive branch departments?

The President