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[[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)

When you see [[government]] officials, think of whether they are federal or not.  Why does it matter?  

When you see [[government]] officials, think of whether they are federal or not.  Why does it matter?  

It makes a big difference.  First of all, you have to know who to call.  If the garbage man isn’t picking up your garbage, it doesn’t help to call the White House.  The governor isn’t going to help you either.  Neither is the Supreme Court.  You should try calling your municipal building, where your mayor works.  But if your grandfather’s Social Security check didn’t arrive, your mayor isn’t going to be able to help.  You need to contact the appropriate federal agency.  Maybe  your Congressman can help if you cannot obtain answers from the federal [[government]].

It makes a big difference.  First of all, you have to know who to call.  If the garbage man isn’t picking up your garbage, it doesn’t help to call the White House.  The governor isn’t going to help you either.  Neither is the Supreme Court.  You should try calling your municipal building, where your mayor works.  But if your grandfather’s [[Social Security]] check didn’t arrive, your mayor isn’t going to be able to help.  You need to contact the appropriate federal agency.  Maybe  your Congressman can help if you cannot obtain answers from the federal [[government]].

Second, if you ever reach the right person on the phone, you need to know what you say.  What are your rights?  What are the [[government]]’s obligations?  Federal officials must comply with federal [[law]], while state and local officials must also comply with specific obligations imposed by state [[law]].  The [[law]]s are completely different from each other.  Federal [[law]] is in the United States Code.  The cites to it look like “17 U.S.C. § 107” (this section allows fair use of copyrighted material).  State [[law]] is in an entirely separate code book.  The cites to it include an abbreviation of the state, as in “N.J.S.A. § 18A:35-4.7” (this section allows New Jersey parents to pull their children out of certain courses in public school).

Second, if you ever reach the right person on the phone, you need to know what you say.  What are your rights?  What are the [[government]]’s obligations?  Federal officials must comply with federal [[law]], while state and local officials must also comply with specific obligations imposed by state [[law]].  The [[law]]s are completely different from each other.  Federal [[law]] is in the United States Code.  The cites to it look like “17 U.S.C. § 107” (this section allows fair use of [[copyright]]ed material).  State [[law]] is in an entirely separate code book.  The cites to it include an abbreviation of the state, as in “N.J.S.A. § 18A:35-4.7” (this section allows [[New Jersey]] parents to pull their children out of certain courses in [[public school]]).

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.