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We constantly see the [[President of the United States of America|President]] on [[television]].  This gives the impression that he, too, is all-powerful.  But [[Homo Sapiens|people]] pretend he has more control than he really does.  He cannot pass [[law]]s.  He cannot declare war. He cannot remove any judges or congressmen from office.  Usually he cannot even stay in his job as [[President of the United States of America|President]] for more than two terms.

We constantly see the [[President of the United States of America|President]] on [[television]].  This gives the impression that he, too, is all-powerful.  But [[Homo Sapiens|people]] pretend he has more control than he really does.  He cannot pass [[law]]s.  He cannot declare war. He cannot remove any judges or congressmen from office.  Usually he cannot even stay in his job as [[President of the United States of America|President]] for more than two terms.

There are also limits on what [[Congress]] and the [[Supreme Court]] can do.  Congress cannot pass [[law]]s interfering with the [[power]]s of state [[government]]s.  Congress can start wars, but cannot do much to stop them.  The Supreme Court, for its part, can only decide cases presented to it.  The Court can declare [[law]]s passed by Congress to be unconstitutional.

There are also limits on what [[Congress]] and the [[Supreme Court]] can do.  Congress cannot pass [[law]]s interfering with the [[power]]s of state [[government]]s.  Congress can start wars, but cannot do much to stop them.  The [[Supreme Court]], for its part, can only decide cases presented to it.  The Court can declare [[law]]s passed by Congress to be unconstitutional.

   

   

How do we know what the [[President of the United States of America|President]], Congress and the Supreme Court can and cannot do?  They are all explained in one brief document: the United States Constitution.

How do we know what the [[President of the United States of America|President]], Congress and the Supreme Court can and cannot do?  They are all explained in one brief document: the United States Constitution.

In the acclaimed movie “A Beautiful Mind,” the professor began his class by asking the question: “Why are you here?”  The better answer you can give, the better you will do.  I’m very glad you are here, but you should be able to explain your own goals in being here.

In the acclaimed movie “A Beautiful Mind,” the professor began his class by asking the question: “Why are you here?”  The better answer you can give, the better you will do.  I’m very glad you are here, but you should be able to explain your own goals in being here.

Let me ask myself: why am I teaching this course?  Because I know that many of you will become experts in [[government]] as a result.  You will use your knowledge for the benefit of everyone.  Maybe you will limit [[government]], or maybe you will improve it, or both.  Or maybe you will use [[government]] to accomplish something more important in the free market.

Let me ask myself: why am I teaching this course?  Because I know that many of you will become experts in [[government]] as a result.  You will use your knowledge for the benefit of everyone.  Maybe you will limit [[government]], or maybe you will improve it, or both.  Or maybe you will use [[government]] to accomplish something more important in the [[free market]].

In this course you will learn how our system works, how things are done, and what can be done better.  This is more of a problem-solving course than history is.  We will cite history in passing, but our focus is on what the system is, rather than how it developed.  Of course, you can learn a great deal of history while taking this course.

In this course you will learn how our system works, how things are done, and what can be done better.  This is more of a problem-solving course than history is.  We will cite history in passing, but our focus is on what the system is, rather than how it developed.  Of course, you can learn a great deal of history while taking this course.

==='''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 of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush]].  Congressmen.  Senators.  U.S. Supreme Court.  The [[Homo Sapiens|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 of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush]].  Congressmen.  Senators.  U.S. Supreme Court.  The [[Homo Sapiens|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 first political party in the country was the “Federalist Party”.  It stood for a stronger federal [[government]].  Alexander Hamilton founded it to help pass his program of a national bank and assumption by the federal [[government]] of all the war debts.  He used it to impose a federal liquor tax, which resulted in the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794.  Look up the term “Federalist Party” on page 307 in the textbook.

The first political party in the country was the “[[Federalist Party]]”.  It stood for a stronger federal [[government]].  Alexander Hamilton founded it to help pass his program of a national bank and assumption by the federal [[government]] of all the war debts.  He used it to impose a federal liquor tax, which resulted in the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794.  Look up the term “Federalist Party” on page 307 in the textbook.

Do you know the difference between federal and state [[government]]?  Look in your phone book.  You’ll see they are usually listed in separate categories.  Let’s take some examples.  Who handles drivers licenses?  (state)  Social Security?  (federal)  Sales tax on computers?  (state)  Sales tax on gas?  (both federal and state are included in the price at the pump)  Public schools? (local)  Post office?  (federal)  Libraries? (local)  Army?  (federal)  Security guards at airports? (mostly federal now, due to 9/11)  Traffic court? (local)  Police? (local)  Imagine you want to start a business and trademark the name of your business.  Who controls trademarks?  (mostly federal, see http://www.uspto.gov/, states can also protect business names)

Do you know the difference between federal and state [[government]]?  Look in your phone book.  You’ll see they are usually listed in separate categories.  Let’s take some examples.  Who handles drivers licenses?  (state)  [[Social Security]]?  (federal)  Sales tax on computers?  (state)  Sales tax on gas?  (both federal and state are included in the price at the pump)  [[Public schools]]? (local)  Post office?  (federal)  Libraries? (local)  Army?  (federal)  Security guards at airports? (mostly federal now, due to 9/11)  Traffic court? (local)  Police? (local)  Imagine you want to start a business and trademark the name of your business.  Who controls trademarks?  (mostly federal, see http://www.uspto.gov/, states can also protect business names)

How about this one: what is Federal Express?  They deliver overnight packages, guaranteed.  Is it part of the federal [[government]]?  Nope.  It is completely private.  They use the name “federal” to make them look official.  They have nothing to do with the [[government]].

How about this one: what is Federal Express?  They deliver overnight packages, guaranteed.  Is it part of the federal [[government]]?  Nope.  It is completely private.  They use the name “federal” to make them look official.  They have nothing to do with the [[government]].