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| | === State Department === | | === State Department === |
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| − | The State Department, or more formerly the "Department of State," is the federal agency that deals with foreign nations and diplomacy. In the first few decades of our Nation's history, the leader of this department (the "Secretary of State") was the most important federal official other than the president. Indeed, holding the position of Secretary of State was a stepping stone to becoming president: most of the politicians who held the position of Secretary of State became president. | + | The State Department, or more formerly the "Department of State," is the federal agency that deals with foreign nations and diplomacy. In the first few decades of our Nation's history, the leader of this department (the "Secretary of State") was the most important federal official other than the president. Indeed, holding the position of Secretary of State was a stepping stone to becoming president: most of the politicians who held the position of Secretary of State early years of our Nation later became president. |
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| − | At this time, and throughout the Obama Administration, the Secretary of State has been Hillary Clinton, at her request. She thought it would be a good stepping stone to running for president in 2016. She is expected to resign from her position as Secretary of State in early 2017, and then beginning quietly running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016. | + | Thomas Jefferson first served as Secretary of State under President Washington. James Madison served as Secretary of State under President Jefferson. James Monroe served under President Madison. John Quincy Adams did likewise under President Monroe. And so on. |
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| | + | Dealing with foreign countries is a primary responsibility of the President, and the Secretary of State advises him on this. When conflicts arise in foreign nations, the Secretary of State advises the president on how to handle them, and he or she often travels to those countries to try to resolve the conflicts. |
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| | + | At this time, and throughout the Obama Administration, the Secretary of State has been Hillary Clinton, at her request. She thought it would be a good stepping stone to running for president in 2016. She is likely to resign from her position as Secretary of State in early 2017, and then beginning quietly running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016. |
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| | The State Department was extremely important during the Cold War (1945-1990), and Senator Joseph McCarthy accused Democratic Administrations of allowing the State Department to be infiltrated by communists who were opposed to our freedoms and position of strength in the world. | | The State Department was extremely important during the Cold War (1945-1990), and Senator Joseph McCarthy accused Democratic Administrations of allowing the State Department to be infiltrated by communists who were opposed to our freedoms and position of strength in the world. |
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| | + | Agencies in the Executive Branch handle many types of disputes before they become lawsuits. The Department of Education hears complaints about violation of federal law in public schools; the Department of Labor hears labor disputes, including alleged discrimination; the Department of Health and Human Services handles the massive federal health care spending. Each of the 15 federal agencies, including the new Department of Homeland Security, have responsibilities that grow over time. |
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| | === Defense Department === | | === Defense Department === |
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| | === Department of Justice === | | === Department of Justice === |
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| | === Environmental Protection Agency === | | === Environmental Protection Agency === |
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| | === Department of Health and Human Services === | | === Department of Health and Human Services === |
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| | === Department of Education === | | === Department of Education === |
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| | === Commerce Department === | | === Commerce Department === |
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| | + | The Commerce Department, created as the Department of Commerce and Labor in 1903 (the Labor Department split off in 1913), is primarily devoted to promoting trade with foreign countries. It also regulates some trade within the United States. |
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| | ==== Patent and Trademark Office ==== | | ==== Patent and Trademark Office ==== |
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| − | === Federal Trade Commission ===
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| − | == Foreign Policy ==
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| − | Historically, the State Department has been the most important agency in the Executive Branch, and the Secretary of State has been the most important Cabinet official. Many of our presidents first served as Secretary of State under an earlier president.
| + | === Federal Trade Commission === |
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| − | Thomas Jefferson first served as Secretary of State under President Washington. James Madison served as Secretary of State under President Jefferson. James Monroe served under President Madison. John Quincy Adams did likewise under President Monroe. And so on.
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| − | Who is Secretary of State today? (Hillary Clinton).
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| − | Dealing with foreign countries is a primary responsibility of the President. The Secretary of State advises him on this. When conflicts arise, such as the war in Iraq, the Secretary of Defense advises the president on the military decisions. Currently, the Secretary of Defense is Donald Rumsfeld.
| + | == Foreign Policy == |
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| − | Often the president makes trips to foreign countries to improve our relations with them. Usually those trips boost his popularity at home. Businesses seek to promote good relations with foreign countries in order to increase trade and commerce.
| + | A president can have a much bigger influence on a foreign nation than on the United States. The U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, provides extensive protections for the American people against a governmental interference. But those protections do not extend to foreigners. A president can order the search and seizure of someone in a foreign nation without a search warrant required by the Fourth Amendment. A president can send troops into foreign nations, or attempt to influence political elections in other countries. |
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| − | The president has influence over trade with foreign countries. The Commerce Department, created as the Department of Commerce and Labor in 1903 (the Labor Department split off in 1913), is devoted to promoting trade with foreign countries.
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| − | Agencies in the Executive Branch handle many types of disputes before they become lawsuits. The Department of Education hears complaints about violation of federal law in public schools; the Department of Labor hears labor disputes, including alleged discrimination; the Department of Health and Human Services handles the massive federal health care spending. Each of the 15 federal agencies, including the new Department of Homeland Security, have responsibilities that grow over time.
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| | == Election == | | == Election == |