Introducing
Your new presentation assistant.
Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.
Trending searches
Mod Am So Lesson 2
146
American Government
For the people, by the people
The Basics
Amendment 1
Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, and Petition.
Amendment 2
The Right to Bear Arms.
Amendment 3
No forced quartering of soldiers in private homes.
Amendment 4
Protection from illegal searches & seizures.
Amendment 5
Right to a fair trial, can't be tried twice for the same crime, and you behold the right to remain silent.
Amendment 6
Criminal procedures, speedy trial, confront witnesses, have an attorney.
Amendment 7
Trial by Jury in Civil Cases.
Amendment 8
No Cruel and Unusual Punishment.
Amendment 9
Rights Retained by the People.
Amendment 10
Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states and the people.
Amendment 11
Limits the jurisdiction of federal courts.
Amendment 12
Changes in manner of electing president and vice president; procedure when no presidential candidate receives electoral majority.
Amendment 13
Abolished slavery.
Amendment 14
rights of citizens: 1)all persons born in the united states are granted citizenship, 2) no state can deny any person the equal protection of the laws, 3)no state can deny any person life, liberty, property without due process of law.
The Basics
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH: THE PRESIDENT
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH: THE PRESIDENT
The highest elected official in the United States, the President
Is Commander in Chief of the U.S. armed forces. However, only Congress can actually declare war.
Has the power to veto legislation passed by both houses of Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate). Congress can override the veto only with a two-thirds majority.
Appoints Cabinet officers, Supreme Court justices, and many other officials — subject to confirmation by the Senate.
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: CONGRESS
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: CONGRESS
The Constitution provides for two houses of Congress: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The population of a state determines how many people it elects to the House of Representatives. Each state elects two Senators, so the Senate offers an equal playing field for small states and large states.
Congress has the power to make all federal laws, and only the House can introduce tax legislation. The Senate has the power to confirm or deny the President’s appointments to the Cabinet, the Supreme Court, and other key positions.
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH: THE SUPREME COURT
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH: THE SUPREME COURT
Each justice is nominated by the President, confirmed by the Senate, and has the opportunity to serve in that position for life as long as he or she demonstrates what the Constitution calls “Good Behaviour.” The Supreme Court effectively determines what the Constitution means.
Democracy
1 a :government by the people; especially :rule of the majority. b :a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. 2 :a political unit that has a democratic government.
American Democracy
American Democracy
Gerrymandering
Electoral College
Convo
- Does being able to vote mean your country is democratic?
- Does having a choice of just two candidates for president mean your country is democratic?
- What do you think of the way people vote in other countries?
- Do you think there should be a world government?
- Do you think a government is essential in a democracy?
- What are the alternatives to governments?
- Do you think a government can ever make everyone happy?
- What do you think of this line from the 2006 movie ‘V for Vendetta’? “People should not be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.”
Convo
Checks and Balances
POTUS
POTUS
Command the Military. The President is the Commander in Chief of the United States Armed Forces. ...
Grant Reprieves and Pardons. ...
Make Treaties. ...
Appoint Ambassadors and Officers. ...
Grant Commissions and Call Special Sessions of Congress. ...
Approve or Veto Bills.
FLOTUS
The first lady has no power, but a lot of influence.
FLOTUS
FHOTUS? FDOTUS?
History lesson
The current president is the first since the 26th president Theodore Roosevelt (1901) to not have a First Dog.
History lesson
SCOTUS
The founding fathers wanted to curtail the potential abuse of power by the government. They attempted to do so by creating a system of checks and balances in the Constitution. Each of the three branches of the national government has authority in certain areas. They can check, or block, actions of the other institutions. Congress has four main ways it can check the Supreme Court’s powers: court size, impeachment, confirmation, legislation.
CONVO!
- What does a government actually do and what should it do?
- Are you happy with the government of your country?
- Why is there so much corruption in many governments?
- Should government leaders be paid more company CEOs?
- Ronald Regan said: “Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem.” Do you agree with him?
- What are the alternatives to governments?
CONVO!
Ad misericordiam
Example 1
Example 1
Example 2
Convo
- Have you ever tried to use an "appeal to emotion" in order to win an argument?
- Can you think of any other famous examples of the "ad misericordium" fallacy?
- How can one identify this type of fallacy? Make a checklist with your partner.
Governmental reach
The role of the government varies wildly between individual states, even if they are neighboring states. We are going to look at two examples of this (although there are many many many more): Massachusetts and New Hamphire. These are two ideas about what it means to be 'liberal'.
Social policies
Vaccination requirements
Unemployment benefits
Basic education
Healthcare
Retirement funds
Homeschooling
States requiring no notice to the school district include Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Texas.
States with low regulation include California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Delaware.
States with moderate regulation (parental notification, plus test scores and/or professional student progress evaluations must be sent to the district) include Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Maine, Maryland and Washington D.C.
States with high regulation (all the above regulations, plus other requirements — e.g., curriculum approval by the state, teacher qualification of parents or home visits by state officials) include Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont.
Minimalist laws
NH vs MA
In NH you don't need to:
- Wear bike or motorcycle helmets, or seatbelts
- Pay income or sales tax
- pay automobile or health insurance
You can:
Carry weapons without a license. Since 22 February 2017, New Hampshire is a constitutional carry state, requiring no license to open carry or concealed carry a firearm in public. You do not need a state permit or background check in order to privately purchase a firearm. There are also no age regulations.
The Free State Project
"Live free or die"
The Free State Project
Progressive policy
Marijuana: NH medical 2017 / recreational - , MA medical 2012 / recreational 2016
Same sex marriage: NH (2008) 2010, MA 2004
Same sex (single) adoption: NH 1999, MA 1993
Sanctuary cities: NH 0, MA 6
Live free or die!
CONVO!
- What do you think about the Free State Project?
- Are there any special interest groups in your country?
- What are some pros and cons to letting small groups of people make decisions for the country as a whole?
- What do you think of this line from the 2006 movie ‘V for Vendetta’? “People should not be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.”
- Do people make laws or changes in the government based on 'ad misercordium' arguments? Is this a good or a bad thing?