Changes

With all its [[regulation]]s, [[government]] can seem to be all-powerful.  But actually our [[government]] is limited in [[power]]. There is much that it cannot do.  It cannot seize our land, unless it pays us for it.  It typically cannot enter our homes, unless it has a [[warrant]].

With all its [[regulation]]s, [[government]] can seem to be all-powerful.  But actually our [[government]] is limited in [[power]]. There is much that it cannot do.  It cannot seize our land, unless it pays us for it.  It typically cannot enter our homes, unless it has a [[warrant]].

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 [[judge]]s 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]].

Look on page 317 of your textbook.  There it is, the entire [[United States Constitution]].  Without the Amendments and signatures, it is only 12 pages long: pp. 317-28.  If you truly learn those 12 pages, then you will know more than most [[Attorney|lawyer]]s, politicians, college graduates, and 99% of the population.  It’s that simple.

Look on page 317 of your textbook.  There it is, the entire [[United States Constitution]].  Without the Amendments and signatures, it is only 12 pages long: pp. 317-28.  If you truly learn those 12 pages, then you will know more than most [[Attorney|lawyer]]s, politicians, [[college]] graduates, and 99% of the population.  It’s that simple.

If you ever want to be a [[Attorney|lawyer]], you will have to pass the Bar exam.  One-quarter of the exam consists of questions about the Constitution.  Most [[Homo Sapiens|people]], even after [[law]] school, don’t know it very well.  Most politicians don’t know it at all.  We will.

If you ever want to be a [[Attorney|lawyer]], you will have to pass the Bar exam.  One-quarter of the exam consists of questions about the Constitution.  Most [[Homo Sapiens|people]], even after [[law]] school, don’t know it very well.  Most politicians don’t know it at all.  We will.

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'''===