Has the evolving relationship between the federal government and the states changed for the better or worse? Why?

/in /by

Select ONE of the following topics to answer for the Lesson Writing Assignment. The writing assignment should be a minimum of 500 words. You should find most of the information you need to complete the assignment in the chapter, but you are allowed to use outside sources as well (such as news articles or government websites). DO NOT simply copy the information word for word from your sources. If you use information directly from the textbook or another source, it should be cited and the properly formatted citation should be provided at the end of the assignment. All assignments will be analyzed with SafeAssign to identify possible plagiarism.

1. Read Chapter 1 in the textbook, including “You Decide: Voices of Texas: Immigration in Texas,” and write an essay that addresses the following questions:

  • How is the population changing in Texas?
  • What are some of the possible political implications of the changing population in Texas?
  • After reading the “You Decide” passage, do you agree with Dan Patrick or Julian Castro? Should undocumented immigrants be given a pathway to citizenship or be sent back to their country of origin?
  • What are the pros and cons of illegal immigration in regards to both the U.S. and Texas economies? Consider how illegal immigrants have positively or negatively affected the economy.
  • Do you believe compromise is possible on immigration? Are the only two options deportations and amnesty? Is there a third option?
  • What role should the state of Texas play in the immigration policy?

2. Read Chapter 2 in the textbook, including “You Decide: Voice of Texas: Proposition 2 and Same-Sex Marriage,” and write an essay that addresses the following questions:

  • As compared to the US Constitution, why is the Texas Constitution so frequently amended?
  • How does the turnout for elections dealing with constitutional amendments compare to turnout for presidential elections?
  • Do you think the level of turnout influences the legitimacy of the amendments that are passed or rejected?
  • Is Proposition 2 a violation of the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution?
  • Should Proposition 2 be deleted from the Texas Constitution? Why or why not?
  • Must the state recognize same-sex marriages that have been licensed and performed lawfully in another state? If so, why? If not, why not?
  • Do you believe that religious freedom gives people the right to deny their services for same-sex marriages? If so, why? If not, why not?

3. Read Chapter 3 in the textbook, including “You Decide: Voices of Texas: Voting Rights and Redistricting,” and write an essay that addresses the following questions:

  • Has the evolving relationship between the federal government and the states changed for the better or worse? Why?
  • How has Texas often responded to mandates from the federal government?
  • With regards to voting rights, is this an area where the federal government should have more or less influence on the states?
  • What is Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act?
  • Does preclearance violate the Tenth Amendment and give the federal government too much power, or is it a necessary check on the states to make sure that minorities are not discriminated against?
  • Texas argued that it is unconstitutional to impose preclearance unless a state’s racial discrimination was as bad as what existed in 1965. In 2013, then-Attorney General Gregg Abbott argued that voter discrimination is no longer a problem in Texas and consequently is exempt from federal oversight. Do you agree? If yes, why? If not, why not?
  • What are two other areas where Texas is at odds with federal laws or mandates?

presidential election

/in /by

Select a presidential election year from 1952 – 2004.  You are about to take a journey into the past….  Follow the steps below to complete this assignment:

 

Go to The Living Room Candidate website:

Click on your selected election year to the left.  Read the “overview” section, and each section associated with the names of the candidates.  Be sure to do this first so you have background information on the times and what the major issues were during that election year.

After reading the introductory material, look at the small images at the bottom of the page.  For each of these that you click on, you’ll see an actual television commercial for that candidate’s campaign.  Watch each of the commercials for your selected election year.  While watching take notes about the type of ads they used. How were they trying to “sell” the candidate?  Were they attacking their opponents?  What strategies were they using?

After watching the commercials, go back to the upper right  and click on “RESULTS” for your election year.  Check out the electoral map that appears.

After completing these steps, you will write an analysis of this election year and the campaign that took place.  Write a 2-3 page analytical essay answering the following questions.  Feel free to expand on your thoughts more – you do not need to stick only to the questions below.

 

What were your thoughts on the commercials?  Did the candidates “fight fair”?  Did they use good tactics to prove why a voter should vote for them?

If you were a voter in that election, based on the commercials, who would you have voted for and why?

Who won the election?  Did you feel that candidate had the better, more convincing commercials?  Why or why not?

 

 

Grading Rubric:

 

Essay is between 2-3 pages in length – 10 points

Essay, at minimum, answers the thought questions provided – 20 points

Essay gives clear descriptions of commercials, making it evident that student viewed the commercials and understood their content – 30 points

Essay shows analysis of the topic, links commercials to candidate’s success, explains the effectiveness of the commercial on the viewer, etc. – 40 points

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assignment 2

 

 

 

Petition Project: You belong to an imaginary territory that is part of the land mass you know as “The Northwest Territories.” (you can think up your own name). Your territory desires to be admitted into the United States of America.

 

You must create a petition in a Word document requesting admittance to the Union based upon the requirements described in the Northwest Ordinance (1787)–see this link http://curriculum.kcdistancelearning.com/courses/CIVICSs-HS-A06/s/4_sgov/misc/northwest.htm. In that petition, you must explain to Congress how your territory has satisfied all the requirements (for instance: how did you come up with the population number? don’t just say you’ve reached that magical figure.)

 

Part of that petition is a draft of your state’s future constitution. You only need create the “preamble.” Below are links to the preambles of the listed states’ original constitution. Your preamble should resemble them in tone and language.

 

Indiana  Illinois  Kentucky  Michigan  Ohio   Wisconsin

 

Examine three (3) implications of Americans using the U.S. Court System to settle frivolous disputes relative to the role of litigation in U.S. society. Provide a rationale for your response.

/in /by

“Role of Law in Society”  Please respond to the following:

  • From the e-Activity, describe two (2) major functions of law in the U.S. Discuss the success and failure of law in fulfilling your two (2) chosen functions of law in our society. Provide two (2) examples of such success and failure to support your rationale.
  • Examine three (3) relative roles of law in our society from Chapter 1 of the text. Discuss members of society’s level of willingness to follow the law in these roles. Provide a rationale for your response.

 

Respond to this post 50 to 100 word please keep separate

To begin, the text tells us that, “…Contrary to much popular belief, America is not the most litigious nation in the world” (Carp R. A., Stidham R. & Manning K.L., 2014). For every 1,000 people in the United States 74.5 pursue litigation, however, for Germany it is 123.2, and 96.8 in Israel (Carp R. A. et al., 2014). One reason that the U.S. may present a lower numbers of documented litigations is because there is an active effort within the U.S. courts to investigate and abate frivolous, misrepresented cases. Also, there are federal “rules” that forbid one from filing a frivolous lawsuit against another.

One reason for these lawsuits is that some people just possess a devious desire to obtain favor and monetary gain by misbegotten means. Meaning, some individuals possess an exploitative nature which may seek a monetary increase by the means of an unprincipled lawsuit. Another reason for this phenomenon is that once groups of culturally diverse individuals convene, differences grow into disputes which seek their resolve within the courts (Carp R. A. et al., 2014). In regards to American culture, the courts have been looked to as institutions that both punish crimes, and provide civil order.

In response to this litigation mania to U.S. Supreme Court handed down significant decisions which, “…Reaffirmed the imposition of large fines on those filing specious lawsuits…” (Carp R. A. et al., 2014).

 

Carp R. A., Stidham R., & Manning K. L. (2014). Judicial process in America. (9th Edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

 

After reading the E-Activity, the functions of law I choose is the peacemaking and promoting social justice. Both functions of law maintains peace and order while treating everyone fairly. Peacemaking success is resolving the future conflict of citizens to avoid any further problems that may arise,while being able to handle them in an appropriate way. Whereas,peacemaking for some individuals is just not realistic which is a failure of the function. Maintaining order,is extremely important. Social control is allowing everyone to be treated equally and valuing diversity. I see good coming from this,since this is what we all ultimately want. A success of this,will reflect on the peacemaking aspects of the law,and enable individuals to welcome one another with open arms. However,a failure is simply the law not having anything to do with social control;it will have to be the citizens.

Statutory law is the type of law enacted by a legislative body such as Congress ,a state legislature,or a city council. This law is addressing the needs of society as a whole. For instance, Welfare Programs and Social Security. As we know,many people try to get what they can out of the government help, so if you have something that is free how likely is that person going to comply with the law?

Administrative law is the decisions and regulations set forth by the various adminstrative agencies of the government. For example, health department and IRS. Filing taxes and having a permit to serve food is rules from both agencies. Although,many people violate both rules on a daily basis.

Criminal law is offenses against the state itself but it is directed towards another person. Murder,armed robbery,etc is examples of this law. Some citizens are willing to follow the law while others violate the law continuosly.

Discussion question 2

“The Role of Litigation in the Lives of Residents of the United States”  Please respond to the following:

  • Compare the frequency of litigation in the U.S. described in Chapter 1 with at least two (2) other countries around the world. Suggest two (2) factors that you believe contribute to the difference in frequency between the countries your chose and the U.S. Provide specific examples of these factors to support your rationale.
  • Examine three (3) implications of Americans using the U.S. Court System to settle frivolous disputes relative to the role of litigation in U.S. society. Provide a rationale for your response.

Respond to this post 50 to 100 word please keep separate

According to the graphic “Who Governs Texas’s Cities?”, which city council best reflects the racial/ethnic composition of its population? Which council diverges the most from its city’s population?

/in /by

Select ONE of the following topics to answer for the Lesson Writing Assignment. The writing assignment should be a minimum of 500 words. You should find most of the information you need to complete the assignment in the chapter, but you are allowed to use outside sources as well (such as news articles or government websites). DO NOT simply copy the information word for word from your sources. If you use information directly from the textbook or another source, it should be cited and the properly formatted citation should be provided at the end of the assignment. All assignments will be analyzed with SafeAssign to identify possible plagiarism.

1. Read Chapter 8, including “You Decide: Voices of Texas: A Plural or Single Executive?” and write an essay answering the following questions:

  • How does the power of the governor in Texas compare to other states?
  • What is a plural executive? What is the single executive model?
  • What are the arguments for and against a plural executive?
  • Do you believe that the plural executive is more democratic than the single executive model? Why or why not?
  • Does the plural executive lead to more efficient and accountable government? Why or why not?
  • Do you believe the power of the governor should be increased, decreased or remain the same? Why or why not?

2. Read Chapter 10, including “You Decide: Voices of Texas: Houston’s ‘Bathroom Ordinance'” and write an essay answering the following questions:

  • According to the graphic “Who Governs Texas’s Cities?”, which city council best reflects the racial/ethnic composition of its population? Which council diverges the most from its city’s population?
  • Do you think it is important that the city councils do reflect the racial/ethnic composition of their communities? Why or why not?
  • Why are there so many special districts in Texas? Do you feel cities and counties should do the jobs that special districts do? Why don’t they?
  • Do you think cities and counties should more closely monitor the activities of special districts? Who do you think should be in charge of oversight?
  • In recent years, local ordinances relating to hydraulic fracking, ride hailing services, and discrimination have led to conflict with the state government. Should cities’ lawmaking powers be limited to concerns such as traffic or animal control issues, rather than broader issues?
  • Should the state have the power to preempt or invalidate local ordinances in order to ensure consistency in regulations across the state?

3. Read Chapter 11, including “You Decide: Voices of Texas: What to Do with a Budget Surplus” and write an essay answering the following questions:

  • Do you think that sales and use taxes are a fair way for the state to generate revenue? Why or why not?
  • How should policy makers deal with a projected budgetary surplus? Should taxes be cut or spending increased?
  • In the case of a budget surplus, what arguments would you make to the legislature to increase spending? Where would you increase spending? Why?
  • In the case of a budget deficit, what areas would you target for cuts? Why?
  • Under what circumstances should the legislature tap into the Rainy Day Fund?
  • Why did the Texas Legislature give up the ability to set tuition at state universities and how has this decision impacted you?