Changes

The lawsuits against ObamaCare have reopened this issue because ObamaCare imposes a penalty (under Congress's taxation power) on non-exempt people who fail to purchase adequate health insurance.  It is not an income tax, so it should not be authorized by the Sixteenth Amendment.  It is not an excise tax, because it applies when there is no activity (declining to purchase government-approved insurance).  Is it a "direct" tax?  If so, then it would not be allowed unless it is apportioned by population, such that wealthy people pay no more than poor people.  However, Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 states "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises." Lawsuits are pending to challenge ObamaCare based on what kind of tax it imposes, and the federal courts will be deciding this issue in the next year or so.

The lawsuits against ObamaCare have reopened this issue because ObamaCare imposes a penalty (under Congress's taxation power) on non-exempt people who fail to purchase adequate health insurance.  It is not an income tax, so it should not be authorized by the Sixteenth Amendment.  It is not an excise tax, because it applies when there is no activity (declining to purchase government-approved insurance).  Is it a "direct" tax?  If so, then it would not be allowed unless it is apportioned by population, such that wealthy people pay no more than poor people.  However, Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 states "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises." Lawsuits are pending to challenge ObamaCare based on what kind of tax it imposes, and the federal courts will be deciding this issue in the next year or so.

'''II. Race.'''

==Race==

In 2004, Howard Dean thought he was helping his candidacy when he repeatedly declared that "I still want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks.  We can't beat George Bush unless we appeal to a broad cross-section of Democrats."

In 2004, Howard Dean thought he was helping his candidacy when he repeatedly declared that "I still want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks.  We can't beat George Bush unless we appeal to a broad cross-section of Democrats."

In the following year, 1955, the Supreme Court ordered an end to segregation in the public schools "with all deliberate speed."  But it took until the end of the 1960s to eliminate segregation in all schools and also in transportation, restaurants and hotels.

In the following year, 1955, the Supreme Court ordered an end to segregation in the public schools "with all deliberate speed."  But it took until the end of the 1960s to eliminate segregation in all schools and also in transportation, restaurants and hotels.

By the 1960s federal courts began to order busing to attain greater integration in public schools.  Many schoolchildren were transported far from their homes to attend another public school, simply for the purpose of improving racial balance.  School districts that had segregated students by race in the past were subjected to busing.  New school districts, typically in the suburbs, were not required to bus because they had no history of segregation.

By the 1970s federal courts began to order busing to attain greater integration in public schools.  Many schoolchildren were transported far from their homes to attend another public school, simply for the purpose of improving racial balance.  School districts that had segregated students by race in the past were subjected to busing.  New school districts, typically in the suburbs, were not required to bus because they had no history of segregation.

Busing soon became an enormous political issue, even influencing the presidential election.  In the summer of 1972, Congress passed a law delaying any orders by federal courts to desegregate public schools until all appeals were heard and decided.  This prevented a single federal judge from forcing neighborhoods to bus their children to distant schools.  A few months later, in the presidential election in Nov. 1972, Nixon was elected in a landslide based in part on his criticism of busing.  He swept the southern states that had traditionally been Democratic.

Busing soon became an enormous political issue, even influencing the presidential election.  In the summer of 1972, Congress passed a law delaying any orders by federal courts to desegregate public schools until all appeals were heard and decided.  This prevented a single federal judge from forcing neighborhoods to bus their children to distant schools.  A few months later, in the presidential election in November 1972, Nixon was elected in a landslide based in part on his criticism of busing.  He swept the Southern states that had traditionally been Democratic.

Race remains an enormous issue in American politics, fueled by media attention.  A single comment about ethnicity can destroy a politician or anyone connected with the media.  New York Senator Alfonse D'Amato won his seat in a tough race in 1992 by emphasizing how his opponent publicly called him a "fascist".  D’Amato said that was a racial slur against his Italian heritage.  He won as voters did not want to elect someone charged with making racial comments.  But six years later, in 1998, his new opponent Charles Schumer used the same argument against him.  D'Amato had insulted Schumer with a Yiddish slur, who then made it look like a racial insult in the media.  Schumer thereby won just as D'Amato had six years earlier.

Race remains an enormous issue in American politics, fueled by media attention.  A single comment about ethnicity can destroy a politician or anyone connected with the media.  New York Senator Alfonse D'Amato won his seat in a tough race in 1992 by emphasizing how his opponent publicly called him a "fascist".  D’Amato said that was a racial slur against his Italian heritage.  He won as voters did not want to elect someone charged with making racial comments.  But six years later, in 1998, his new opponent Charles Schumer used the same argument against him.  D'Amato had insulted Schumer with a Yiddish slur, who then made it look like a racial insult in the media.  Schumer thereby won just as D'Amato had six years earlier.

In 2008, race became a big issue in the presidential election.  Barack Obama won the presidency in part by benefiting from an enormous "turnout" (percentage of people who actually vote) by African Americans, 95% of whom voted for him.  Predictions of racism by American voters were completely wrong: Obama did as well or even better than polls predicted.   

In 2008, race became a big issue in the presidential election.  Barack Obama won the presidency in part by benefiting from an enormous "turnout" (percentage of eligible voters who actually vote) by African Americans, 95% of whom voted for him.  Predictions of racism by American voters were completely wrong: Obama did as well or even better than polls predicted.   

Answer to Question at the beginning of the lecture about which American colony did not allow any gambling: Pennsylvania, the home of the Quakers and freedom of religion.

Answer to Question at the beginning of the lecture about which American colony did not allow any gambling: Pennsylvania, the home of the Quakers and freedom of religion.