Chapter 14

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

I believe that judicial review is perfectly alright to be exercised regularly like with Separation of Powers.

2.       2.  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?

They should probably interpret the Constitution in light of changes in society. Many many things have changed over time, and it would be silly and unreasonable the go by the past.

Chapter 13

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

I feel that that all the agencies have a very important role in our country.  There are literally hundreds of different federal agencies that are each very important in their own way.

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

I can’t really think of an agency that should be terminated; many need to cut back on their costs though.

3.  Are there any new agencies needed?  In other words, if you were the president would you create new agencies?  If so, in what area(s)?

I would create an agency whose job was specifically to arrest drug dealers and other people who abuse their government benefits.  I see so many people who are perfectly healthy getting all the help in the world from the government, free medication, food, and living.  In turn many of these trashy people are selling their prescription drugs and food stamps that they didn’t need in the first place!  I see this happening so much and there is nothing being done about it.  

Chapter 12

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

I think what mainly makes a great president is their being able to relate to the common person.  Presidents who act better than their country never do any good.

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

My favorite Presidents were John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton.  Kennedy because he was a handsome devil and Clinton because he actually got us out of debt.

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 did a random google search and came up with Franklin Pierce who was nominated as the candidate for the Democratic Party in 1852, Winfield Scott, and won with 254 out of 296 electoral votes.  

Chapter 11

1. Who are your Senators and your Congressman?

We have two Senators:

Bob Corker Class I (R)

Lamar Alexander Class II (R). 

We have 9 Congressman:

Phil Roe (R) Dist. 1

John Duncan (R) Dist. 2

Chuck Fleschmann (R) Dist3

Scott DesJarlais (R) Dist. 4

Jim Cooper (D) Dist. 5

Diane Black (R) Dist. 6

Marsha Blackburn (R) Dist. 7

Stephen Fincher (R) Dist. 8

Steve Cohen (D) Dist. 9

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

 I researched Lamar Alexander and his attempt to get a bill on the Presidents that would fix the No Child Left Behind Act. Alexander offered an amendment allowing states to establish an alternative, state-determined strategy to improve the bottom 5 percent of their schools, with approval by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The amendment was accepted by a vote of 15-7. This is great because education is key for our country’s success.

3. Find an issue that one of your Senators or Congressman Champions that you disagree with.  Why do you disagree? 

I had trouble finding anything that I disagreed with.  All of their ideas, like Lamar Alexander’s with NCLB, look to better our country.

Chapter 10

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

I agree with the majority that Florida's method for recounting violated equal protection of the law.

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?

Yes I do believe that fundraising is too important in elections.  I’m sure there are many great politicians out there that can’t run because they do not have the funds to do so.

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 lot of people don’t vote because either they don’t have the time or they hate politics in general.  I know I myself don’t vote just because politics make me sick.  Most of the time all politics is is a popularity contest with the snake always being the winner.

Chapter 9

1.       1.   Which political party do you most identify with?  Why?  Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree?

I really am stuck in the middle with this one, probably because I don’t have much of an opinion about politics anyway.

2.   Does America need political parties?  The founders originally hoped that American politics would operate without need of parties?  Would that work today?  Why?

Without political parties America would be in an even worse shape than we are today.  At least our government has some sort of organization at present.

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

I like the Whig Party because they seemed defiant which is cool.

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.  What did you learn?  What did you find interesting?  Do you agree/disagree with their positions on issues? Why?

I researched The American Federation of teachers (AFT). AFT was founded in 1926 and represents teachers and school related personnel. This is the second largest education labor union in the United States.

 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 like the AFT in that they are really focusing on bullying right now which is becoming a big epidemic in our country for thousands of children.

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?

I don’t know enough about interest groups to really say; seems like they have worked out for us so far.