Thursday, December 16, 2010
Legislative Preview
In the legislative process there are many steps involved. I am not very familiar with the process but I do know a few things about it. I know that a bill needs to be passed in order to be a law and it may get vetoed before it gets very far. I know that they have sessions and if it is around a holiday it may be in recess. There are Senate and House representatives in the legislative branch. The Lt. Governor is the head for the Senate and the speaker of the house is the leader for the House. I don't know how everything works once they are in session. The legislative branches process seems to work very well and has many steps in it in order to pass a bill to be a law.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Chapter 7 Quiz
1. Explain the difference between hard and soft money:
Hard money is the money that is spent to elect candidates for the Congress and White House. Most of the candidates use most of there own money instead of it getting given to them. Soft money is funds that
are given to a party organization for the use of party building activites and recruiting voters. The big difference is that you work hard to get the hard money and the soft money is just given to you.
are given to a party organization for the use of party building activites and recruiting voters. The big difference is that you work hard to get the hard money and the soft money is just given to you.
2. What is the electoral process and is this something that you agree or disagree with and why?
The first step of the electoral process is nominating candidates to run, then you have general elections to make the final decisions. There are then many different kinds of primaries. Once election day comes everyone votes and decides who will win. I agree with this process because it is good to get the people narrowed down before the election day so there is not to many candidates to choose from.
3. What is the difference between a closed and open primary?
3. What is the difference between a closed and open primary?
In a closed primary, only the people that are declared to that certain party are allowed to vote. It is closed to the other partys voters. In an open primary, any qualified voter can cast a ballot.
4. Explain what absentee voting is and what the positives and negative may be with regards to it:
4. Explain what absentee voting is and what the positives and negative may be with regards to it:
Absentee voting is a process by which you can vote without actually going to the polling places on election day. Positives about this process are people that are going to be out of town have the opportunity to vote and it is more convinient to do this process because you dont have to go to the polls and wait in line. A negative about absentee voting is that other people can look and see who is ahead before they vote.
5. What changes to your see in the way we run elections ten years from now?
5. What changes to your see in the way we run elections ten years from now?
Ten years from now I think most polling places will go to electronic voting. I also think more people will consider absentee voting because it is more convinient then going to the polling places on the days of elections.
6. Explain your views on money and elections with regards the amount of money that is spent:
I think a lot of money is spent on the elections and sometimes its not fair. One candidate may not have as much money as the other one so therefore the other candidate will have more advertising for them. I believe it is a big part of elections though, it helps the candidates promote themselves and get the people to vote for them.
6. Explain your views on money and elections with regards the amount of money that is spent:
I think a lot of money is spent on the elections and sometimes its not fair. One candidate may not have as much money as the other one so therefore the other candidate will have more advertising for them. I believe it is a big part of elections though, it helps the candidates promote themselves and get the people to vote for them.
7. Go to cnn.com or foxnews.com and find an article dealing with the election process. Post the article in your blog and provide your viewpoints pertaining to the article.
Haiti has been waiting for the results and it has been chaos. The two presidential candidates are very close and whoever gets fifty percent of the votes will win the election. The ballot has 19 different candidates which makes it hard to chose.
I think it is not good to have that many candidates on a ballot it makes the decision very hard and the votes could go either way.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Chapter 6 Test
1. Provide a paragraph on an important issue of your choice from Section 1:
An important issue from Section 1 is extending suffrage. There were five stages to extending suffrage; The first stage of the struggle to extend the voting rights came in the early 1800's. States began to eliminate property ownership and tax payment qualifications. The second effort followed the Civil War and broadened the electorate. The ratification in 1920 completed the third expansion. More than half of the states could vote now. The fourth expansion came in the 1960's which allowed African Americans a full role in the electoral process. The fifth and most recent came with the adoption of the 26th amendment. It provides that no state can set the minimum age for voting at more than 18.
2. Provide a paragraph on an important issue of your choice from Section 2:
An important issue in Section 2 is about people being denied to vote. In this section it states that the democratic government can exist only where the right to vote is very widely held. Every state purposely deny the vote to certain people. For example, none of the fifty states allow people in mental institutions, or anyone found to be mentally incompetent to vote. Most states deny people who have been convicted of serious crimes to vote also. Only a few of the states do not allow people who have been dishonorly discharged from the armed forces to vote.
3. Provide a paragraph on an important issue of your choice from Section 3:
In Section 3, The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is an important issue. The act outlaws discrimination in several areas, especially in job-related matters. When talking about voting rights, the acts most important section forbids the use of any voter registration or literacy requirement in an unfair or discriminatory manner. It relied on judicial action to overcome racial barriers and emphasized the use of federal court orders. Many people were killed because of this and President Johnson urged congress to pass new and stronger legislation to ensure the African Americans had voting rights.
4. Provide a paragraph on an important issue of your choice from Section 4:
An important issue from Secion 4 is Voters and their behavior. When studying voter behavior, most of it is known from three sources, the results of a particular election, the field of survey research, and the studies of political socialization. Observers still have much to learn about their behavior though. There are two main factors affecting voter's behavior, one a voter's personal characteristics such as age, race, income, occupation,education, and religion. The second one is a voter's group affiliations such as family, co-workers, and friends.
5. Explain voter apathy and what can be done to help it:
Voter apathy is when people don't get excited for elections and don't go out and vote because they don't feel like it would make a difference. I think people need to realize how much there vote really does count. If one person doesn't feel like voting the people around them may start to feel the same way and soon a lot of people will not be voting which could change the outcomes of the election.
6. Explain the qualifications for registering to vote:
In order to vote you must at least be 18. A voter must register his or her name, age, place of birth, present address, lenth of residence, and similar facts. After that a voter will remain registered unless he or she moves, dies, or is convicted of serious crime.
An important issue from Section 1 is extending suffrage. There were five stages to extending suffrage; The first stage of the struggle to extend the voting rights came in the early 1800's. States began to eliminate property ownership and tax payment qualifications. The second effort followed the Civil War and broadened the electorate. The ratification in 1920 completed the third expansion. More than half of the states could vote now. The fourth expansion came in the 1960's which allowed African Americans a full role in the electoral process. The fifth and most recent came with the adoption of the 26th amendment. It provides that no state can set the minimum age for voting at more than 18.
2. Provide a paragraph on an important issue of your choice from Section 2:
An important issue in Section 2 is about people being denied to vote. In this section it states that the democratic government can exist only where the right to vote is very widely held. Every state purposely deny the vote to certain people. For example, none of the fifty states allow people in mental institutions, or anyone found to be mentally incompetent to vote. Most states deny people who have been convicted of serious crimes to vote also. Only a few of the states do not allow people who have been dishonorly discharged from the armed forces to vote.
3. Provide a paragraph on an important issue of your choice from Section 3:
In Section 3, The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is an important issue. The act outlaws discrimination in several areas, especially in job-related matters. When talking about voting rights, the acts most important section forbids the use of any voter registration or literacy requirement in an unfair or discriminatory manner. It relied on judicial action to overcome racial barriers and emphasized the use of federal court orders. Many people were killed because of this and President Johnson urged congress to pass new and stronger legislation to ensure the African Americans had voting rights.
4. Provide a paragraph on an important issue of your choice from Section 4:
An important issue from Secion 4 is Voters and their behavior. When studying voter behavior, most of it is known from three sources, the results of a particular election, the field of survey research, and the studies of political socialization. Observers still have much to learn about their behavior though. There are two main factors affecting voter's behavior, one a voter's personal characteristics such as age, race, income, occupation,education, and religion. The second one is a voter's group affiliations such as family, co-workers, and friends.
5. Explain voter apathy and what can be done to help it:
Voter apathy is when people don't get excited for elections and don't go out and vote because they don't feel like it would make a difference. I think people need to realize how much there vote really does count. If one person doesn't feel like voting the people around them may start to feel the same way and soon a lot of people will not be voting which could change the outcomes of the election.
6. Explain the qualifications for registering to vote:
In order to vote you must at least be 18. A voter must register his or her name, age, place of birth, present address, lenth of residence, and similar facts. After that a voter will remain registered unless he or she moves, dies, or is convicted of serious crime.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Political Parties
The two major political parties in the United States are Republican and Democrat. They are a lot of differences between the two but there are also some similarities. This year, in the 2010 elections, the Republicans took over and dominate the house. Democrats also lost control of majority in state legislators.
The Democratic party favors states rights and strict adherence to the constitution. It is opposed to the national bank and wealthy, moneyed interests. The democrats also favor minimum wage and increasing taxes on the wealthy. Democrats are also very liberal. The Republican party belives that taxes shouldn't be increased for anyone and wages should reflect the free market. They are very justice based and believe in individual rights. Republicans are very conservative.
I feel that in the past, present, and future that I would and will support the Republican party. From what I have researched, I believe in most of the same things they do. I think its a very good idea to not increase taxes for anyone and to have a strong belief in individual rights. I am very happy that the representitives of the House are mainly Republicans, I think it is better for our coutry and things will begin to work out better.
The Democratic party favors states rights and strict adherence to the constitution. It is opposed to the national bank and wealthy, moneyed interests. The democrats also favor minimum wage and increasing taxes on the wealthy. Democrats are also very liberal. The Republican party belives that taxes shouldn't be increased for anyone and wages should reflect the free market. They are very justice based and believe in individual rights. Republicans are very conservative.
I feel that in the past, present, and future that I would and will support the Republican party. From what I have researched, I believe in most of the same things they do. I think its a very good idea to not increase taxes for anyone and to have a strong belief in individual rights. I am very happy that the representitives of the House are mainly Republicans, I think it is better for our coutry and things will begin to work out better.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Election Results
National: For the National level, Republicans pretty much took it over. Almost all the candidates that won were Republicans. Most of them all want to roll over Obama's heathcare plan. John Boehne, minority leader for the house, stated that the republicans were taking over and in two years will try to get rid of Obama's plans. He says that the healthcare bill has made many people lose their jobs and helped bankrupt our country. I think it is a great that republicans took over and are trying to rebuild our country.
Local: For the local level, the race for the U.S. House was very close. Kristi Noem won. I think she is a very good choice for South Dakota. I feel she is going to focus more on our state and try to control the national debt just like the other Republicans. I also think that Dennis Daugaard is a great choice for governor because he is also focused on our State and what is best for it. All the candidates elected in South Dakota all have the same mentallity which is great and will help out South Dakota.
Local: For the local level, the race for the U.S. House was very close. Kristi Noem won. I think she is a very good choice for South Dakota. I feel she is going to focus more on our state and try to control the national debt just like the other Republicans. I also think that Dennis Daugaard is a great choice for governor because he is also focused on our State and what is best for it. All the candidates elected in South Dakota all have the same mentallity which is great and will help out South Dakota.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Federalism Round Up-Chapter 4
Section 1 :
The Division of Powers- The powers are divided into three different groups: National powers, Concurrent powers, and State powers. Each of the groups have different kinds of power. There are three powers delegated to National powers they are expressed powers, implied powers, and inherent powers. The powers reserved to the states are those powers that the Constitution does not grant to the national government. Most of the powers the Constitution delegates to the National Government are exclusive powers and concurrent powers.
The Sumpreme Law of the Land- The division of powers in the American federal system produce a dual system of government, one in which two basic levels of government operate over the same territory and the same people at the same time. This is bound to have conflict between the national and state laws. To solve this problem the Framers of the Constitution added the Supremacy Clause. This means that the Constitution stands above all other forms of law.
Section 2 :
Admitting New States- Only the Congress has the power to admit new states into the Union. The Constitution only places one restriction on that power. A new state cannot be created by taking territiory away from one or more of the existing states without the consent of the legistatures and states involved. Congress has admitted 37 states since the original 13 were added. In order to be admitted it has to pass the enabling act and the act of admission.
The Nation's Obligations to the States- The Constitution places several different obligations on the National Government for the benifit of the states. It requires the National Government to guarentee every state in this union a republican form of government or representative government. Invasion and Internal disorder is also a big deal. Today it is clear that an invasion of any one of the 50 states would be met as an attack on the whole United States.
Section 3 :
Interstate Compacts- With the consent of the Congress, States may enter themselves into a interstate compact, which is an agreement among themselves and foreign states. By 1920, there had only been 26 compacts made. Today there is over 200. All of the 50 states have at least joined in two of them. These compacts allow States to share important law-enforcement data.
Full Faith and Credit- The Full Faith and Credit Clause mostly comes to play in court matters. It ensures that records such as birth certificates and marriage licenses are recognized in all 50 states. That way a person can prove age, place of birth, maritial status, and similar facts that are necessary. The validity of these documents will be recognized in each of the 50 states.
The Division of Powers- The powers are divided into three different groups: National powers, Concurrent powers, and State powers. Each of the groups have different kinds of power. There are three powers delegated to National powers they are expressed powers, implied powers, and inherent powers. The powers reserved to the states are those powers that the Constitution does not grant to the national government. Most of the powers the Constitution delegates to the National Government are exclusive powers and concurrent powers.
The Sumpreme Law of the Land- The division of powers in the American federal system produce a dual system of government, one in which two basic levels of government operate over the same territory and the same people at the same time. This is bound to have conflict between the national and state laws. To solve this problem the Framers of the Constitution added the Supremacy Clause. This means that the Constitution stands above all other forms of law.
Section 2 :
Admitting New States- Only the Congress has the power to admit new states into the Union. The Constitution only places one restriction on that power. A new state cannot be created by taking territiory away from one or more of the existing states without the consent of the legistatures and states involved. Congress has admitted 37 states since the original 13 were added. In order to be admitted it has to pass the enabling act and the act of admission.
The Nation's Obligations to the States- The Constitution places several different obligations on the National Government for the benifit of the states. It requires the National Government to guarentee every state in this union a republican form of government or representative government. Invasion and Internal disorder is also a big deal. Today it is clear that an invasion of any one of the 50 states would be met as an attack on the whole United States.
Section 3 :
Interstate Compacts- With the consent of the Congress, States may enter themselves into a interstate compact, which is an agreement among themselves and foreign states. By 1920, there had only been 26 compacts made. Today there is over 200. All of the 50 states have at least joined in two of them. These compacts allow States to share important law-enforcement data.
Full Faith and Credit- The Full Faith and Credit Clause mostly comes to play in court matters. It ensures that records such as birth certificates and marriage licenses are recognized in all 50 states. That way a person can prove age, place of birth, maritial status, and similar facts that are necessary. The validity of these documents will be recognized in each of the 50 states.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Federalism Assignment
1. What does Federalism mean by definition and what does Federalism mean to you?
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various regional governments. To me, federalsim means the power is divided between many different governments.
2. List and describe the three powers of the National Government.
The three powers of the National Government are the expressed powers, the implied powers, and the inherent powers. The expressed powers are expressly stated in the Constitution and include the power to lay and collect taxes, to coin money, to raise and maintain armed forces, and to declare war. The implied powers are not expressly stated in the Constitution but are reasonably suggested. It has prohibited racial discrimination in granting access to such places as restaurants, theaters, hotels and motels. The inherent powers belong to the National Government because it is the government of a sovereign state within the world community. They are few in number.
3. Explain the division of powers and why it is important?
The three divisions of power are National Powers, Concurrent Powers, and State Powers. National powers allow the National Government to coin money and declare war. Concurrent powers allow the government to borrow money and establish courts. State powers allow the government to conduct elections and establish local governments.
4. What is the Supremacy Clause and what is its function?
The Supremacy Clause holds together the complex structure that is the American Federal system. It also joins the National Government and the States into a single government unit.
5. Find a site on the Internet that deals with Federalism. Take 10 minutes and review that site. Provide the link and provide some of the useful information that you found to help you better understand what Federalism is and how it works.
http://thisnation.com/federalism.html
Federalism is not an easy topic to define. It brought the states together and made a federal system. The Framers of the Constitution created a federal system with a national government strong enough to unify the states in their pursuit of common goals without completely robbing the states of their independence.
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various regional governments. To me, federalsim means the power is divided between many different governments.
2. List and describe the three powers of the National Government.
The three powers of the National Government are the expressed powers, the implied powers, and the inherent powers. The expressed powers are expressly stated in the Constitution and include the power to lay and collect taxes, to coin money, to raise and maintain armed forces, and to declare war. The implied powers are not expressly stated in the Constitution but are reasonably suggested. It has prohibited racial discrimination in granting access to such places as restaurants, theaters, hotels and motels. The inherent powers belong to the National Government because it is the government of a sovereign state within the world community. They are few in number.
3. Explain the division of powers and why it is important?
The three divisions of power are National Powers, Concurrent Powers, and State Powers. National powers allow the National Government to coin money and declare war. Concurrent powers allow the government to borrow money and establish courts. State powers allow the government to conduct elections and establish local governments.
4. What is the Supremacy Clause and what is its function?
The Supremacy Clause holds together the complex structure that is the American Federal system. It also joins the National Government and the States into a single government unit.
5. Find a site on the Internet that deals with Federalism. Take 10 minutes and review that site. Provide the link and provide some of the useful information that you found to help you better understand what Federalism is and how it works.
http://thisnation.com/federalism.html
Federalism is not an easy topic to define. It brought the states together and made a federal system. The Framers of the Constitution created a federal system with a national government strong enough to unify the states in their pursuit of common goals without completely robbing the states of their independence.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
What are your views on the latest political ads on TV? What candidate(s) do you like or dislike and why?
I feel that all the canidates have strong polictical ads on TV. They are all very informational and show how and what they will do to help. My top candidate is probably Kristi Noem. My uncle is really into policitics and Kristi Noem and Stephanie Herseth were having a debate and the State Fair so i went with him to watch. I feel that Kristi cares more about the farmers and the national debt. Her main focus was to not push the health care bill and to focus more on paying off our debt. Stephanie was more about pushing the health care bill and i feel she didn't care as much as Kristi did.
What role do you feel that you will play in politics and government in the future? What ways are you participating currently?
The role i feel i will play in the future is working for the government and voting during the elections. I help do activities at our church so that is a way i am currently participating in the government.
I feel that all the canidates have strong polictical ads on TV. They are all very informational and show how and what they will do to help. My top candidate is probably Kristi Noem. My uncle is really into policitics and Kristi Noem and Stephanie Herseth were having a debate and the State Fair so i went with him to watch. I feel that Kristi cares more about the farmers and the national debt. Her main focus was to not push the health care bill and to focus more on paying off our debt. Stephanie was more about pushing the health care bill and i feel she didn't care as much as Kristi did.
What role do you feel that you will play in politics and government in the future? What ways are you participating currently?
The role i feel i will play in the future is working for the government and voting during the elections. I help do activities at our church so that is a way i am currently participating in the government.
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