Changes

American Government

'''American Government'''

<br>Outline of Lecture:

'''First Lecture - THE CONSTITUTION'''

'''I. Introduction'''

 

==='''I. Introduction'''===

The most popular season of the year, Fall, is upon us.  Hope your summer vacation was good, and not too short.

The most popular season of the year, Fall, is upon us.  Hope your summer vacation was good, and not too short.

It will help you to read, and reread, those 12 pages, and constantly refer to them throughout the course.  Put a post-it or paperclip on page 317 to mark it for easy reference.  When you hear news about our national government, refer to the Constitution see what it gives it a particular power.

It will help you to read, and reread, those 12 pages, and constantly refer to them throughout the course.  Put a post-it or paperclip on page 317 to mark it for easy reference.  When you hear news about our national government, refer to the Constitution see what it gives it a particular power.

'''II. Purpose of Course'''

==='''II. Purpose of Course'''===

Whenever you take a course, or do anything, ask yourself why you are doing it.  In the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24), the son left his father, lost everything, and became very hungry.  The turning point was when he finally questioned his own conduct.  What was the logic to it?  He realized his behavior made no sense, and then changed.  Imagine how much better off everyone would be if they questioned their own conduct that way.  There would be no drug addicts, for example.

Whenever you take a course, or do anything, ask yourself why you are doing it.  In the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24), the son left his father, lost everything, and became very hungry.  The turning point was when he finally questioned his own conduct.  What was the logic to it?  He realized his behavior made no sense, and then changed.  Imagine how much better off everyone would be if they questioned their own conduct that way.  There would be no drug addicts, for example.

Occasionally we will have tests, but they will be easy for those who do well on the homework.

Occasionally we will have tests, but they will be easy for those who do well on the homework.

'''III. Textbook'''

==='''III. Textbook'''===

The textbook is “U.S. Government and Politics,” by Paul Soifer.  We are skipping the first 30 pages.  The book is based on the Advanced Placement exam, which is similar to the CLEP exam that you can take at the end of this course.

The textbook is “U.S. Government and Politics,” by Paul Soifer.  We are skipping the first 30 pages.  The book is based on the Advanced Placement exam, which is similar to the CLEP exam that you can take at the end of this course.

Think of this course as though you were learning how a car works, or how to bake a cake.  You need to understand the components and ingredients that make up the overall product.  The goal is to learn how things work, how to do things, and how to solve problems.  The key is to find issues that particularly interest you, and then learn as much as you can in connection with those issues.  THIS IS IMPORTANT: find issues you like in this course and use them to increase your motivation.

Think of this course as though you were learning how a car works, or how to bake a cake.  You need to understand the components and ingredients that make up the overall product.  The goal is to learn how things work, how to do things, and how to solve problems.  The key is to find issues that particularly interest you, and then learn as much as you can in connection with those issues.  THIS IS IMPORTANT: find issues you like in this course and use them to increase your motivation.

'''IV. “Federal”'''

==='''IV. “Federal”'''===

The Constitution set up our [[federal]] government.  What does “federal” mean?  In this context, it means national: the United States government headquartered in Washington, D.C.  President Bush.  Congressmen.  Senators.  U.S. Supreme Court.  The people you often see on television or in the newspaper.  These terms have the same meaning: “national government,” “federal government,” and “United States government.”  They are completely different from “state government,” and “city government” or “local government.”

The Constitution set up our [[federal]] government.  What does “federal” mean?  In this context, it means national: the United States government headquartered in Washington, D.C.  President Bush.  Congressmen.  Senators.  U.S. Supreme Court.  The people you often see on television or in the newspaper.  These terms have the same meaning: “national government,” “federal government,” and “United States government.”  They are completely different from “state government,” and “city government” or “local government.”

The federal government has three branches: executive (the president), legislative (Congress) and the judiciary (the Supreme Court).  Each branch employs thousands of people.  The executive branch even employs millions, including the armed services.

The federal government has three branches: executive (the president), legislative (Congress) and the judiciary (the Supreme Court).  Each branch employs thousands of people.  The executive branch even employs millions, including the armed services.

'''V. U.S. Constitution.'''

==='''V. U.S. Constitution.'''===

Over 225 years ago, in 1781, there was no federal government.  Then the colonies agreed on the Articles of Confederation, but that created a federal government with very few powers.  The colonies retained all the power.  Why did they ultimately give up power to the federal government we have today?

Over 225 years ago, in 1781, there was no federal government.  Then the colonies agreed on the Articles of Confederation, but that created a federal government with very few powers.  The colonies retained all the power.  Why did they ultimately give up power to the federal government we have today?

The most important part of the Constitution to understand is Article I.  The Founders viewed Congress as more important than the president or Supreme Court.

The most important part of the Constitution to understand is Article I.  The Founders viewed Congress as more important than the president or Supreme Court.

'''VI. Checks and Balances/[[Separation of Powers]]'''

==='''VI. Checks and Balances/[[Separation of Powers]]'''===

The phrase “checks and balances” is one of the most popular terms used in connection with the Constitution.  You’ll hear it on television and see it in the newspaper.  It refers to the separation of powers between the three branches of the federal government, and how one branch will act to limit the power of a competing branch.

The phrase “checks and balances” is one of the most popular terms used in connection with the Constitution.  You’ll hear it on television and see it in the newspaper.  It refers to the separation of powers between the three branches of the federal government, and how one branch will act to limit the power of a competing branch.

Occasionally, something blurs the distinction between the three branches.  In response to extravagant spending by the federal government, Congress passed a law giving the president power to veto expenses on a line-by-line basis.  This is known as the line-item veto.  Many states already give their governor this power.  It enables the chief executive (president or governor) to approve legislation but to pluck out and remove certain expenses in it.  For example, new legislation may authorize money for the war on Iraq but also include building a new dam in Oregon.  The power of the line-item veto would enable the president to approve the funding of the war but strike out the funding of the new dam.  He would thereby modify the legislation before signing it.  Query: does the line-item veto violate the separation of powers between the president and Congress?  (The Supreme Court said yes, and invalidated the line-item veto).

Occasionally, something blurs the distinction between the three branches.  In response to extravagant spending by the federal government, Congress passed a law giving the president power to veto expenses on a line-by-line basis.  This is known as the line-item veto.  Many states already give their governor this power.  It enables the chief executive (president or governor) to approve legislation but to pluck out and remove certain expenses in it.  For example, new legislation may authorize money for the war on Iraq but also include building a new dam in Oregon.  The power of the line-item veto would enable the president to approve the funding of the war but strike out the funding of the new dam.  He would thereby modify the legislation before signing it.  Query: does the line-item veto violate the separation of powers between the president and Congress?  (The Supreme Court said yes, and invalidated the line-item veto).

'''VII. Issues to Consider (Optional - extra credit)'''

==='''VII. Issues to Consider (Optional - extra credit)'''===

Each class, we will conclude with a set of issues to consider.  The goal is to spark your interest.  Here are the first ones:

Each class, we will conclude with a set of issues to consider.  The goal is to spark your interest.  Here are the first ones: