Changes

'''American Government'''

'''American Government'''

'''First Lecture - THE CONSTITUTION'''

'''First Lecture - THE [[Constitution|CONSTITUTION]]'''

'''Instructor: Andy Schlafly'''

'''Instructor: Andy Schlafly'''

==='''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 [[Automobile|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 [[Automobile|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 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 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.

==='''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 [[power]]s.  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 [[power]]s.  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 of the United States of America|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 of the United States of America|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 of the United States of America|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 of the United States of America|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 of the United States of America|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 of the United States of America|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 of the United States of America|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 of the United States of America|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 of the United States of America|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 of the United States of America|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: