Changes

<br>V. Issues

<br>V. Issues

I. Introduction

'''I. Introduction'''

As our course draws to a close, ponder which are the most influential aspects of American policy making.  Is it the presidency?  The courts?  Congress?  Is all politics local, as some say?  Think of where you could make the biggest difference.  Would that be to work on national, local, legal, scientific, business, or educational issues?

As our course draws to a close, ponder which are the most influential aspects of American policy making.  Is it the presidency?  The courts?  Congress?  Is all politics local, as some say?  Think of where you could make the biggest difference.  Would that be to work on national, local, legal, scientific, business, or educational issues?

This lecture surveys an influential aspect of American policy often ignored by our history books: trials.  Also, our last lecture left for this time one of the most controversial and influential issues in American politics.  That is abortion.

This lecture surveys an influential aspect of American policy often ignored by our history books: trials.  Also, our last lecture left for this time one of the most controversial and influential issues in American politics.  That is abortion.

II. Trials.

'''II. Trials.'''

Our course has been about "government", with emphasis on federal laws and officials.  Most people imagine the President, or perhaps Congress and the Senate, when they think of "American Government."  Increasingly, the public might also consider the Supreme Court.

Our course has been about "government", with emphasis on federal laws and officials.  Most people imagine the President, or perhaps Congress and the Senate, when they think of "American Government."  Increasingly, the public might also consider the Supreme Court.

But the victory was Pyrrhic.  The Democratic presidential nominee in 2000, Al Gore, felt he had to distance himself from Clinton and that probably made the difference on Election Day.  Since then, Clinton has had little success in campaigning for candidates, recently failing with Governor Gray Davis in California in the recall.  Hillary Clinton, pollsters choice to run in 2004, apparently feels it is too soon to make an attempt.  The political ramifications of the impeachment trial continue.

But the victory was Pyrrhic.  The Democratic presidential nominee in 2000, Al Gore, felt he had to distance himself from Clinton and that probably made the difference on Election Day.  Since then, Clinton has had little success in campaigning for candidates, recently failing with Governor Gray Davis in California in the recall.  Hillary Clinton, pollsters choice to run in 2004, apparently feels it is too soon to make an attempt.  The political ramifications of the impeachment trial continue.

III. Abortion.

'''III. Abortion.'''

Abortion in America was established by federal judges, not by juries or by legislators or by other elected officials.  The Supreme Court declared in 1973, in Roe v. Wade, that mothers could terminate the lives of their unborn children with few restrictions.  Other court decisions expanded the right further, to the point where America is one of the mot permissive nations in the world for abortion.

Abortion in America was established by federal judges, not by juries or by legislators or by other elected officials.  The Supreme Court declared in 1973, in Roe v. Wade, that mothers could terminate the lives of their unborn children with few restrictions.  Other court decisions expanded the right further, to the point where America is one of the mot permissive nations in the world for abortion.

In many ways, the abortion issue is what has realigned politics in the United States. It has shifted the pro-life South from the Democratic column to the Republican one, despite the memories that linger from the Republicans destroying the South during and after the Civil War.  George W. Bush won every southern state in 2000, and will do so again in 2004.  The South is also giving Republicans an increasingly strong majority in the Senate.

In many ways, the abortion issue is what has realigned politics in the United States. It has shifted the pro-life South from the Democratic column to the Republican one, despite the memories that linger from the Republicans destroying the South during and after the Civil War.  George W. Bush won every southern state in 2000, and will do so again in 2004.  The South is also giving Republicans an increasingly strong majority in the Senate.

IV. Public Policy

'''IV. Public Policy'''

Some say the president has the most influence for one simple reason: he has the “bully pulpit.”  That means he defines the national agenda simply by what he chooses to say.  When the president preaches, everyone listens, according to this theory.  Many often disagree with the president, but the issues and debate are nevertheless framed by the president.  Do you agree?

Some say the president has the most influence for one simple reason: he has the “bully pulpit.”  That means he defines the national agenda simply by what he chooses to say.  When the president preaches, everyone listens, according to this theory.  Many often disagree with the president, but the issues and debate are nevertheless framed by the president.  Do you agree?

Still, much remains unregulated in American life.  We do not have racial quotas in business, though there is affirmative action to encourage greater participation by minorities in institutions like colleges and large corporations.  We do not have comparable worth by which the government would set wages for male and female-dominated occupations.  We do not have the 14th Amendment applying to purely private activities, like the Boy Scouts.  Struggles continue on both sides of these and other controversies.  America remains by far the most free major country in the world.

Still, much remains unregulated in American life.  We do not have racial quotas in business, though there is affirmative action to encourage greater participation by minorities in institutions like colleges and large corporations.  We do not have comparable worth by which the government would set wages for male and female-dominated occupations.  We do not have the 14th Amendment applying to purely private activities, like the Boy Scouts.  Struggles continue on both sides of these and other controversies.  America remains by far the most free major country in the world.

V. Issues.

'''V. Issues.'''

Do you support “jury nullification”?

Do you support “jury nullification”?