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==='''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.

Third, if you’re thinking about working for [[government]], you need to know who to apply to.  Don’t apply to state [[government]] for a job at the IRS.  It’s federal.  Don’t apply to [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] for a job as a public school teacher.

Third, if you’re thinking about working for [[government]], you need to know who to apply to.  Don’t apply to state [[government]] for a job at the IRS.  It’s federal.  Don’t apply to [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] for a job as a public school teacher.

There are other differences between federal and state [[government]].  Federal jobs often pay better and are more secure.  They are backed by IRS tax collections of the United States.  They often work in bigger and nicer buildings.  One summer I worked in a federal building in D.C., and it was so big that one employee used the hallways as a track for jogging!

There are other differences between federal and state [[government]].  Federal jobs often pay better and are more secure.  They are backed by [[IRS]] tax collections of the United States.  They often work in bigger and nicer buildings.  One summer I worked in a federal building in D.C., and it was so big that one employee used the hallways as a track for jogging!

Federal officials generally have more [[power]] than state officials.  The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which is in Article VI (see p. 328), says that federal [[law]] is supreme.  You are not likely to hear about a state police officer arresting an FBI agent, because he is a federal officer.

Federal officials generally have more [[power]] than state officials.  The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which is in Article VI (see p. 328), says that federal [[law]] is supreme.  You are not likely to hear about a state police officer arresting an [[FBI]] agent, because he is a federal officer.

About 15 years ago in Wayne, New Jersey, the FBI arrested the mayor.  They didn’t even bother telling the local police, who thought he had been kidnapped.  Not only do the federal and state [[government]] fail to communicate with each other, they often fight each other for control.

About 15 years ago in Wayne, New Jersey, the [[FBI]] arrested the mayor.  They didn’t even bother telling the local police, who thought he had been kidnapped.  Not only do the federal and state [[government]] fail to communicate with each other, they often fight each other for control.

But sometimes local officials have more [[power]] than federal officials.  The superintendent for a public school district often makes more money than the Congressman or Senator, and has more influence too.  And if you ever receive a traffic ticket, I guarantee you will care more about the municipal judge than the [[President of the United States of America|president]].

But sometimes local officials have more [[power]] than federal officials.  The superintendent for a public school district often makes more money than the Congressman or Senator, and has more influence too.  And if you ever receive a traffic ticket, I guarantee you will care more about the municipal judge than the [[President of the United States of America|president]].

How about the media?  Which [[government]] does the media pay more attention to?  The federal [[government]], by far.  Why?  Because it is more profitable for the media, and easier.  It much simpler and cheaper simply to wake up each day and report on what the [[President of the United States of America|president]] is doing, whether it is newsworthy or not.  That is one quick story to tell to the entire country.  To report on each state would require 50 different stories, at 50 times the expense.  The media would go broke trying to do that.  You’ll almost never see your mayor, local school, Congressman or even governor on CNN or Fox News.  It doesn’t mean they are less important than the [[President of the United States of America|president]].

How about the media?  Which [[government]] does the media pay more attention to?  The federal [[government]], by far.  Why?  Because it is more profitable for the media, and easier.  It much simpler and cheaper simply to wake up each day and report on what the [[President of the United States of America|president]] is doing, whether it is newsworthy or not.  That is one quick story to tell to the entire country.  To report on each state would require 50 different stories, at 50 times the expense.  The media would go broke trying to do that.  You’ll almost never see your mayor, local school, Congressman or even governor on [[CNN]] or [[Fox News]].  It doesn’t mean they are less important than the [[President of the United States of America|president]].

The federal [[government]] has three branches: executive (the [[President of the United States of America|president]]), legislative (Congress) and the judiciary (the Supreme Court).  Each branch employs thousands of [[Homo Sapiens|people]].  The executive branch even employs millions, including the armed services.

The federal [[government]] has three branches: executive (the [[President of the United States of America|president]]), legislative (Congress) and the judiciary (the Supreme Court).  Each branch employs thousands of [[Homo Sapiens|people]].  The executive branch even employs millions, including the armed services.