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{{Government Lectures}}

{{Government Lectures}}

Constitution Day is on September 17th each year, to celebrate the "Framers" who signed the U.S. Constitution at the completion of the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787.<ref>http://www.constitutionday.com/</ref>  These Framers were led by George Washington, who presided over the convention, and included Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and, from New Jersey, William Livingston and William Paterson.  Note that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were not part of the Constitutional Convention and never signed the Constitution, because they were away representing the United States to foreign nations at the time (in England and France, respectively).  Indeed, this entire week, from September 17 through 23, is "Constitution Week."

Constitution Day is on September 17th each year, to celebrate that the "Framers" signed the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, at the completion of the Constitutional Convention.<ref>http://www.constitutionday.com/</ref>  These Framers were led by George Washington, who presided over the convention, and included Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and, from New Jersey, William Livingston and William Paterson.  John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were not part of the Constitutional Convention and never signed the Constitution, because they were away representing the United States in foreign nations at the time (in England and France, respectively).  Indeed, this entire week, from September 17 through 23, is "Constitution Week."

The U.S. Constitution did not become law immediately on Constitution Day.  Instead, it was sent to the 13 former colonies to consider replacing the Articles of Confederation that were governing them at the time.  Vigorous debate between the "Federalists" (led by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison) and the "Anti-Federalists" (led by Patrick Henry and George Mason) ensued, with the Federalists favoring ratification of the U.S. Constitution and the Anti-Federalists opposing it.  The Federalists wrote "The Federalist Papers" anonymously as a series of articles in a leading New York newspaper to urge ratification by the large state of New York, which was pivotal to formation of the new United States under the U.S. Constitution.  Today the "Federalist Papers" are used as "legislative history" in interpreting what the U.S. Constitution really means.

The U.S. Constitution did not become law immediately on Constitution Day.  Instead, it was sent to the 13 former colonies to consider replacing the Articles of Confederation that were governing them at the time.  Vigorous debate between the "Federalists" (led by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison) and the "Anti-Federalists" (led by Patrick Henry and George Mason) ensued, with the Federalists favoring ratification of the U.S. Constitution and the Anti-Federalists opposing it.  The Federalists wrote the "Federalist Papers" anonymously as a series of articles in a leading New York newspaper to urge ratification by the large state of New York, which was pivotal to formation of the new United States under the U.S. Constitution.  Today the "Federalist Papers" are used as "legislative history" in interpreting what the U.S. Constitution really means.

Note the reference to "U.S." in "U.S. Constitution."  Every state also has its own State Constitution.  In New Jersey our State Constitution gave the people the power to recall congressmen from office, until the N.J. Supreme Court held, in a case argued by your instructor, that the U.S. Constitution prohibits recalling congressmen.  Under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, it takes priority and preempts any state law that is contrary to it.

Note the reference to "U.S." in "U.S. Constitution."  Every state also has its own State Constitution.  In New Jersey our State Constitution gave the people the power to recall congressmen from office, until the N.J. Supreme Court held, in a case argued by your instructor, that the U.S. Constitution prohibits recalling congressmen.  Under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, it takes priority and preempts any state law that is contrary to it.

This year there were commemorations of Constitution Day around the nation, often led by congressmen.  Why?  Because the U.S. Constitution is the longest governing document in the world, and the single biggest reason for the greatest prosperity this world has ever known: the United States of America.

This year there were commemorations of Constitution Day around the nation.  Why?  Because the U.S. Constitution is the longest governing document in the world, and the single biggest reason for the greatest prosperity this world has ever known: the United States of America.

== The "Media" ==

== The "Media" ==

"The media is what really runs this country" is a phrase you may have heard more than once.  The "media" refers to the small group of people to decide what appears on television and in newspapers, and to a lesser extent radio.  The internet is not considered part of the "mainstream media," because the internet is not controlled by a small group of people as television and newspapers are.

"The media are what really runs this country" is a phrase you may have heard more than once.  The "media" refers to the small group of people who decide what appears on television and in newspapers, and to a lesser extent radio.  The internet is not considered part of the "mainstream media," because the internet is not controlled by a small group of people as television and newspapers are.

Who runs the media?  Not farmers, soldiers, engineers, homeschoolers, ministers, police officers or any of the average Americans who work hard every week.  Instead, the media is run by people who got their job there because they "knew somebody," and over time became powerful at a television or newspaper company.  Some you see on television, but others are executives who work behind-the-scenes.  As a group, they overwhelmingly support Democrats and liberal policies, such as abortion and government funding of leftist organizations.

Who runs the media?  Not farmers, soldiers, engineers, homeschoolers, ministers, police officers or any of the average Americans who work hard every week.  Instead, the media is run by people who got their job there because they "knew somebody," and over time became powerful at a television or newspaper company.  Some you see on television, but others are executives who work behind-the-scenes.  As a group, they overwhelmingly support Democrats and liberal policies, such as abortion and government funding of leftist organizations.

Books, such as "Bias", describe in detail how one-sided the views of the people in the media are.  So why are they influential?

Books, such as ''Bias'', describe in detail how one-sided the views of the people in the media are.  So why are they influential?

One reason is that when an average person hears something seven times, then he believes it.  So if the media repeat something over and over, many Americans will believe it without checking on the truthfulness themselves.  Another way of saying this the common phrase, "perception is reality."

One reason is that when an average person hears something at least seven times, then he believes it.  So if the media repeat something over and over, many Americans will believe it without checking on its truthfulness themselves.  Another way of saying this the common phrase, "perception is reality."

Most politicians spend much of each day worrying and wondering what the media will say about them.  This is partly due to egotism -- politicians want to be cast in favorable light in the media -- but this is also due to legitimate concern about the impact of negative media statements about them.  The media forced President Nixon to resign in 1973; the media have incited wars such as the Spanish American War; and the media completely destroyed the credibility of certain elected officials such as Vice President Dan Quayle.

Most politicians spend much of each day worrying and wondering what the media will say about them.  This is partly due to egotism -- politicians want to be cast in favorable light in the media -- but this is also due to legitimate concern about the impact of negative media statements about them.  The media forced President Nixon to resign in 1973; the media have incited wars such as the Spanish American War; and the media completely destroyed the credibility of certain elected officials such as the former Republican Vice President Dan Quayle.

The media can make enormous differences in the success or failure of businesses, entertainers, and even some sports athletes.  Many people hire "publicists" to create positive media stories about them.

The media can make enormous differences in the success or failure of businesses, entertainers, and even some sports athletes.  Many people hire "publicists" to create positive media stories about them.

A politician disliked by the media has a difficult time winning an election, while a politician promoted by the media is likely to win.  When virtually every  newspaper endorsed Democrat Jim McGreevey for governor of New Jersey in 2001, then he easily defeated the more conservative, and better qualified, pro-life Republican Bret Schundler.  Why did New Jersey newspapers prefer McGreevey?  Because newspapers have liberal positions on issues like abortion and other social issues, and McGreevey had those liberal views.  Later, after election, McGreevey abruptly resigned from office, but the media almost never admit they made a mistake.

A politician disliked by the media has a difficult time winning an election, while a politician promoted by the media is likely to win.  When virtually every  newspaper endorsed Democrat Jim McGreevey for governor of New Jersey in 2001, he  then easily defeated the more conservative, and better qualified, pro-life Republican Bret Schundler.  Why did New Jersey newspapers prefer McGreevey?  Because newspapers have liberal positions on issues like abortion, and McGreevey supported those liberal views.  Later, after the election, McGreevey abruptly resigned from office, but the media almost never admit they made a mistake.

The growing use of the internet is reducing the influence of television and newspapers.  Each year many American families are disconnecting their televisions, and many newspapers have been going bankrupt.  In another ten or twenty years newspapers may have lost their influence entirely, and television may be much weaker too.

The growing use of the internet is reducing the influence of television and newspapers.  Each year many American families are disconnecting their televisions, and many newspapers have been going bankrupt.  In another ten or twenty years newspapers may have lost their influence entirely, and television will probably continue to decline also.

Elections to the House of Representatives (congressmen) are the least influenced by the media, because there 435 different districts, too many for the centralized media to focus on.  Elections to the U.S. Senate and the presidency are strongly influenced by the media.  Accordingly, it is not surprising that elected congressmen tend to be more conservative than elected senators and presidents.

Elections to the House of Representatives (congressmen) are influenced the least by the media, because there 435 different districts, too many for the centralized media to focus on.  Elections to the U.S. Senate and the presidency are strongly influenced by the media.  Accordingly, it is not surprising that elected congressmen tend to be more conservative than elected senators and presidents.

== "All Issues Are Political Issues" ==

== "All Issues Are Political Issues" ==

George Orwell, the author of ''Animal Farm'' and ''1984'', famously observed that "all issues are political issues."  The comment was not intended to be a compliment, but instead a criticism of many decisions in this world are influenced by political considerations.

George Orwell, the author of ''Animal Farm'' and ''1984'', famously observed that "all issues are political issues."  His comment was not intended to be a compliment, but instead a criticism of many decisions in this world that are influenced by political considerations.

Politics pervades governmental decisions, obviously, but politics extends far beyond that.  When you hear news you don't understand, or even if you do understand it, ask yourself: is there a political reason for this?

Politics pervades governmental decisions, obviously, but politics extends far beyond that.  When you hear news you don't understand, or even if you think you understand it, ask yourself: is there a political reason for this?

For example, the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, in which 20 were executed for allegedly being witches (a term that included women and women), are difficult to understand from a strictly legal perspective.  But when the politics of the town are explained, then it is easier to understand.  Poor people in the town, who sat on the juries, were resentful of some of the accused wealthier defendants.  The accusations and trials became a form of class struggle.

For example, the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, in which about 20 were executed for allegedly being witches (a term that included men and women), are difficult to understand from a strictly legal perspective.  But when the politics of the town are explained, then the bizarre episode is not so mysterious.  Poor people in the town, who sat on the juries, were resentful of some of the accused wealthier defendants.  The accusations and trials became a form of class struggle.

Similarly, the acquittal of O.J. Simpson of murdering his ex-wife is surprising if one looks only at the mountain of evidence that was presented against him.  It requires an appreciation of the racial politics of the Los Angeles area, dating back to the Rodney King incident, to understand why a nearly entirely African American jury acquitted the African American celebrity O.J. Simpson against charges presented primarily by a white prosecutor based on testimony by white police officers.

Similarly, the acquittal of O.J. Simpson of murdering his ex-wife is surprising if one looks only at the mountain of evidence that was presented against him.  It requires an appreciation of the racial politics of the Los Angeles area, dating back to the Rodney King incident, to understand why a nearly entirely African American jury acquitted the African American celebrity O.J. Simpson against charges presented primarily by a white prosecutor based on testimony by white police officers.