Chapter 14

1. Read online bio's of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices. What do you find interesting about their backgrounds? Pick one of the Justices, read about cases this Justice has written (majority or dissent) and explain whether you agree or disagree with his/her judicial philosophy.
Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes was a supreme court justice from February 24, 1930 through June 30, 1941. From my research i noticed that alot of Charles Hughes cases involved taxes. It seemed he thought taxing Americans was a good idea.He was on the case for taxation of liquor ,taxation of newpapers, and many more. He seemed to have alot of success during his time in the supreme court.

2. Is Judicial Review a power that should be exercised regularly or sparingly? Why?
I think Judicial Review should be used when necessary but only when they feel they need to use it.

3. 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?

I think they should try to follow the constitution the best they can. Obviousely things are a lot different now then they were when they wrote the constitution but they should at least go by as much as possible. I believe they wrote the constitution to help this country run the best way it could.


Commented on:
1.Cassandra Kunsman
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Chapter 13

1. Research federal agencies and explain which one you feel is the most important one and why?
I would say the Department of Defense would be one of the most important federal agencies. If we did not have them we wouldnt have anyone to protect us or our country from the rest of the world. We would be vulnerable and another country would eventuallly take over. We need men and women to help protect our freedoms.

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

Honestly while looking at a list of the agencies some of them seemed to repeat themselves a little. I found a census bureau and a bureau of the census. The definitions were the same so im not sure why they need two of them. I also dont understand why they dont combine the fbi,cia,.etc. They mention in the book that they dont cooperate very well so if they just combined them into one wouldnt that help?

3. Are any new agencies needed? In other words, if you were president would you create new agencies? If so, in what area(s)?
There are so many different agencies I honestly dont even know if I could think of something else that they havent already come up with.




Commented on:
1.Brittany McCann
2.Cassandra Kunsman
3.Rebecca Zuchowski

Chapter 11

1. Who are your Senators and your Congressman?
Tennessee state senators are Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander
First district is Phil Roe, Second district is John Duncan, Third district is Chuck Fleischmann,Fourth district is Scott DesJarlais, Fifth district is Jim Cooper, Sixth district is Diane Black, Seventh district is Marsha Blackburn, Eighth district is Stephen Fincher, NInth district is Steve Cohen. My district is the second district with John Duncan.


2. Reserach the areas they champion and find one you support. What is it and why do you also support it?
I would have to say I strongly agree with Bob Corker on abortion. It is a big priority to me and he has made it one for him as well.Its an issue that I think people tend to overlook now because it has become so common.


3. Find an issue one of your Senators or Congressman champions that you disagree with. Why do you disagree?
I had a hard time finding anything that I didnt agree with. From everything that I could find they pretty much have the same beliefs that I have.


Commented On:
1.Tabitha Gunter
2.Cassandra Kunsman
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Chapter 10

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

I agree with the majority. Its a little crazy to me all they went through to find out who won. All the recounting jsut seems kind of ridiculous and extremely confusing.


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?
I believe there are good people out there who could really make a difference but they dont have the funds to do so. They also dont have a name that people know so nobody gives them a secod thought. I had a friend that ran for mayor and he didnt get much recognition but he is smart and a "normal" guy that people could relate to but he didnt have the funds necesary or the name that people knew so noone gave him a shot.


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?
I believe more people arent voting because they dont think that their vote counts so why waste time and energy to go vote.



Commented on:
1.Brittany McCann
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3.Cassandra Kunsman

Chapter 9

1. Which political party do you most identify with? Why? Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree?
 I would say I mostly identify with the republican party. I am very conservative in how I feel and how I vote.


2. Does America need political parties? The founders originally hoped that American politics would operate without need of parties? Would that work today? Why?
Honestly Im kind of on the fence with this question. I understand why there are different parties. People like to get together and discuss their issues and have similar beliefs with the people they are interacting with. I do think it would be ok if there werent parties because now alot of people believe in some of the democrats opinions and some of the republicans. I personally can say just because I identify mostly with republican doesnt mean I dont believe in some of the democrats beliefs as well.

3. Please research lesser known political parties - which one do you most identify with? Why?
I would have to say the Constitution party. They are all about getting the Bible back into America which I think is very important for Americans. Most americans wont agree with that but it is my personal opinion.


Commented on:
1.Brittany McCann
2.Rebecca Zuchowski
3.Cassandra Kunsman

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 chose the National Educational Society. I like that they are interested in children and helping them become the best that they can be. I am going to school to become an elementary education teacher so I found this one to be pretty important. I like that they are for children safety and doing whatever possible to maintain safety and health in schools.


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 found an interest group called national right to life. I feel pretty strongly about abortion. I do not think it should be legal. I think the moment a woman becomes pregnant that baby should be able to have a chance to survive. It amazes me how many abortions happen every year. I dont understand how someone could take an innocent babies life like that.


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?

Personally I think it just depends on the interest group. I think some have too much mainly the ones that have a lot of money  that can bribe people to look into their cause more than people who dont have alot of money.



Commented on:
1.Rebecca Zuchowski
2.Donna Spradlin
3.Kylie Corrigan

Chapter 7

1. Does objectivity still exist in the media's coverage of politics? Of the major news outlets (CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC, NPR, NBC, etc.), which are the most objective and which seem to have the most bias?

To be totally honest I do not watch any news. My parents were never into watching the news and my
husband and I dont either. The only thing I know about is that there are specific channels that are more conservative and some more liberal but I couldnt tell you which one.


2. How does talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, etc.) affect your view of politics? Why?

ok so I dont listen to talk radio either. I have never kept up with politics so I never listened to any talk radio about politics.


3. Is media objectivity important? Why or why not?
I think it is. I think they tell you pretty much all that they want you to know. If you listen to someone who likes a conservative they are going to talk them up and the same goes for liberals. I wish people would just tell you the actual news and not what their opinion is.

I had a really hard time with this blog because I do not watch or listen to politcs.


Commented on:
1.Nathan Tollett
2.Brittany McCann
3.Jenna McCarty

Chapter 6

1.Is American news media too dependent upon polls? Is it appropriate for news agencies to create polls and then report on them? Why or why not?

I dont really know to be honest. I do not know that much about polls or keep up with them. In order to vote I need to be more aware of them and what people are saying about the country. I think its appropriate for news agencies to create polls though. People want to know whats going on and if that is the way people like to find out then I say go for it.



2. How important is political party identification to you (e.g. as a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, etc.)? Was it more or less important to your parents & grandparents? Does it seem more or less important to your friends? Why or why not?

Political Party identificatioin isnt really that important to me. I think I would rather just discuss seperate issues than have to put a specific label on myself. As long as I can remember my parents have said they are republican. They have ALWAYS voted republican,but my parents are conservative so it makes sense.My friends dont seem to find it important either.



3. Do you feel that you opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues? Why?

My opinions of politics are based on all I believe. I am concerned with things that involve me, but also things that I feel strongly about.



Commented on:
1.Cassandra Kunsman
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Chapter 5

1. The issue of race - does the government do too little or too much to reduce the instances of racial discrimination? Why or how so?

I believe the Governement does too much. I think they are trying to make up for what happened to the African Americans and now they are trying to compensate for that. I saw a quote once about black history month and that we should not have one month devoted specifically to black history that we should focus on the history of the world.




2. The issue of gender - same question as #1.
  I actually dont think they have a fine balance. The only issue with gender for me is salaries. The government has said that men and women in the same field same experience should make the same. The statistics show men are still making more than women but I dont necessarily think thats the governments fault.





3. The issue of sexual orientation - same question as #1 and #2.

Personally I dont believe that homosexuals should have the right to be married and honestly the only reason I can say that is because I am a christian and that is how I have been taught. I was taught it is wrong and that is not what marriage is, Marriage is a between a man and a woman.



Commented on:
1.Rebecca Zuchowski
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3.Nathan Tollett

Chapter 4

1. Freedom of Speech: How important is it? Does the freedom go "too far"? What areas of speech should not be protected?

I think freedom of speech is extremely important. If people decided to say what they wanted to anyways they could get arrested.Everyone should be able to have specific beliefs about things and be able to tell people what they are. I think people should be able to say what they want but I do not like to hear alot of vulgarity. I do not want my children to hear someone cussing and saying distastful things about women. That is where I think speech should not be protected. My mom told me when she was young a man was cussing around her and her father got into a fight with him.



2. Freedom of Religion: Is separation of church and state necessary? Why or why not?

I believe that God should be allowed in school. The nation was found under God and people are trying to get rid of him. I understand that people arent christians but I am and that is my opinion.



3. Criminal Procedure: Are defendant's rights crucial to our system of government? Why or why not? Many argue that defendants have too many rights - do you agree? Why or why not?

I think its important for the defendants to have rights because I think everyone rich or poor should have the same rights as americans. No I dont think they have too many rights because they are americans and every american should be equal.

Chapter 3 Federalism

1. I believe it is important that the nationional Government has more power than the states because I think it the states had as much power there would be more chaos. It is important that the states have rules rather than share all the power. I dont think the Government should have complete power over the states though.

2.National power increased during the great depression because of the drop in the stock market.Im actually not sure if that is appropriate or not.

3.I think national government should regulate education. I believe all students everywhere should be spent the same amount of money on and all have the same standards for education. I also think the in state out of state tuition is ridiculous. They should not be able to charge so much more just becaue you are out of state.





Commented on:
1.Rebecca Zuchowski
2.Brittany McCann
3.Jared Griffith

1.The Articles of Confederation formally established the United States of America. Where the Constitution pronounced the "thirteen united states of America". The Articles of confederation allowed one vote per state while the constitution allowed one represenative to vote. The Constitution is stronger than the Articles of Confederation because with the Articles there was no order. The United States would be different because there would be no order. There were no serperate branches of Government.i think it would be much more chaotic without the constitution.

2.I never knew that you had to be at least thirty years old to be a Senator. Or that you had to be a citizen for a certain amount of time.

3.It was important because they didnt want the Constitiution to look like it could be overlooked. They want the constitution to be supreme over the law.

4.I would have to say the Federalist because the Antifederalist  opposed the Constitution. The Federalist were for the Constitution.

1.Brittany McCann
2.Nathan Tollett
3.Rebecca Zuchowski

My name is Megan Biggs. I am going to school to earn a degree in Elementary Education. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was 10 years old so I'm excited to have the opportunity to pursue my dreams. I have been married for four years and I have two children, Greyson is 13 months old and Connor is 12 days old. I actually dont know much about politics so I'm really looking forward to finding out more about it. Politics seems interesting but it also seems a little complicated so I'm hoping this class will help me understand it better.