...was written and submitted to the constitution committee as an argument for term limits to be set Congress. Mr. Crane addresses one of the main issues the opposing side has with putting term limits on Congress which is amending the constitution. I think this would be useful for my research paper because it is a normal citizen’s point of view. This piece helps to solidify my argument for why term limits should be an amendment. While this source is biased he does help argue the opposing viewpoint. Gest, T. (1995). Term limits: Detour ahead. U.S. News &...
Words: 977 - Pages: 4
...Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: The Pros and Cons of Section 703. The FISA Act was created to govern the gathering of foreign intelligence. In 1952, President Thurman established the National Security Agency within the department of defense. The NSA is the premiere signals intelligence agency. In the United States Intelligence Community, agency efforts are channeled through the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The American intelligence community works closely with foreign intelligence agencies, especially on SIGINT matters. The members of the Cold War era UKUSA Agreement (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States) also known as ‘Five Eyes’(FVEY), are partially close collaborators. In the 1950’s the Executive branch was largely in control and unchecked by the Legislative and Judicial branches on Foreign intelligence matters. Some surveillance policies were narrowed due to constitutional concerns. The authority for foreign intelligence was identified in the President’s inherent Article II of the Constitution powers and a key legal check on that authority was the Fourth Amendment. The fourth amendment as interpreted by...
Words: 1030 - Pages: 5
...Though the nineteenth amendment may be few in words, there is a story behind it that couldn’t be told with a million. The struggle to gain this amendment was lengthy and difficult, but the final product : “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex,” and, “Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation (US Congress).” This short statement immediately inspired those who supported it and continues to act as fuel for the fire of feminists today. Many events led up to the ratification of the nineteenth amendment. In July of 1848, the woman suffrage movement got a great start in the Seneca Falls convention headed by Elizabeth...
Words: 1310 - Pages: 6
...Reforming the Federal Tax System On February 3, 2013 marked the 100th birthday of the 16th Amendment. The 16th Amendment paved the way for the creation of the federal income tax that continues to this day to have far reaching repercussions on the American tax payer. Before the ratification of the 16th Amendment, the birth of the federal income tax dates back to the Civil War. In order to finance the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law Revenue Act of 1861 on August 5, 1861. The Revenue Act consisted of a flat tax rate of 3% on income above $800 and 5% on individuals living outside of the United States. On July 1, 1861 United States Congress repealed the Revenue Act of 1861 and replaced it with the Revenue Act of 1862. The Revenue Act of 1862 introduced a progressive tax and established the Bureau of Internal Revenue. In 1872 Congress repealed the Revenue Act of 1862. One again elected officials tried to revive the federal income tax in 1894. However, in 1895 the federal income tax was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court because the tax was not apportioned according to the population of each state. In an address to Congress on June 16, 1909 President Howard Taft proposed that Congress consider a new amendment to the Constitution. “I recommend, then, first, the adoption of a joint resolution by two-thirds of both Houses, proposing to the States an amendment to the Constitution granting to the Federal Government the right to levy and collect an...
Words: 3688 - Pages: 15
...III) Articles of Confed a) Confederation b) Specific Terms c) General Results d) Shays Rebellion IV) Constitution a) 4 key debates B) Specific terms of the articles (about the national govt.) • Unicameral legislature • No power to tax • No power to raise army • No executive branch (could make laws but not enforce them) • No judicial branch • Unanimous vote needed to change Articles C) General results of the Articles • Weak and incomplete national govt. • Economic chaos o States fund the war by borrowing money from federal govt. o Govt. wants the money back o Economy dries up and leads to a “trade war” with competing interest o States taxes their own citizens since they can’t borrow money o People (mostly farmers) lose their possessions and property since they can’t pay taxes o Damages the economy even more since farm family is out of work • No sufficient national defense o Enemy 1 the British o French and the Spanish also potential threats o Native Indian tribes also potential threat • States are left largely on their own (13 separate states, no unity) D) Shay’s Rebellion 4 Key debates 1. Representation of the states (large population vs. small population) o States might be equal but not for individuals o Creates a Bicameral Legislation (2 houses) 1. Senate 2. House of reps (representation based on population) which is known as “the great compromise” o Defensive compromise; better at not getting stuff done than getting stuff done. 2. Slavery...
Words: 1863 - Pages: 8
...the government’s role in the regulation of free speech and its responsibilities with regard to national security. In the 1919 case Schenck v. United States the United Sates Supreme Court stated that an anti-war activist (Schenck) didn’t have a First Amendment right to advocate for the resistance of the draft, or at the very least not in...
Words: 1061 - Pages: 5
...judged as a great failure in making a satisfying and just peace to the United States. Andrew Johnson was known to have been a rigid, dictatorial racist who was unable to compromise or even attempt to accept a political reality at odds with his own ideas. Instead of forging a compromise between Radical Republicans and moderates, his actions united the opposition against him. His bullheaded opposition to the Freedmen's Bureau Bill, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the Fourteenth Amendment eliminated all hope of using presidential...
Words: 674 - Pages: 3
...crisis” (Hansen-Turton et. al, 2013). Nurse practitioners are health care professionals who are more than capable of providing and critical access to primary care, particularly for vulnerable populations. Nurse practitioners are vital resources to help rural hospitals, create more financial sustainability by reducing costs to per patient, and maximizing patient outcomes. It would be extremely advantageous to expand the roles of NPs to include preventive services (Marsh, Diers, & Jenkins, 2012). It is vital for the sake of the nation's healthcare to break the barriers preventing nurse practitioner to provide care for the patient-centered medical home (Auerbach et. al, 2013). Measurable Goals for the Proposed Amendment 1. As a result of these changes to the amendment, by January 2015 there will be funding available to ensure that APN can make quality patient-centered care to the...
Words: 1707 - Pages: 7
...The president of the United States is chosen through a careful process that has many flaws and benefits called the Electoral College. The process of the electoral college is complex and has many components to how it works. The only power the people have over the electoral college is the ability to appoint our electors through the popular vote; however, the electors have free reign, without needing consent from the people, over who is in charge every four years. Within the Electoral College is a rich history, pros and cons, how electors are chosen, how the difference of the popular vote cause Serbian states to be swing states, and why past elections have brought up questions about if the electoral college should be amended. The original philosophy behind the electoral college is what has caused the rich history of the electoral college. Everything began in 1789 when the idea of the electoral college came to elect our very first president. The Electoral College is a system of selecting the next president by electors who vote based on the popular vote of America (U.S. Electoral College). Alexander Hamilton created the original form of the...
Words: 2064 - Pages: 9
...Surrounding the Proposed Firearms Legislation One of the most contentious political debates currently embroiling the United States and its legislative bodies is Senate Amendment 715 To protect Second Amendment rights, ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and provide a responsible and consistent background check process co-sponsored by Democrat Senator Joe Manchin and Republican Senator Pat Toomey. The essential purpose this amendment intended to address is strengthen the procedures utilized when purchasing firearms from private citizens. However, there were several addendums included within the amendment that ultimately led to it not obtaining the prerequisite sixty votes required to achieve cloture on April 17, 2013. To understand the rationale of why Senate Amendment 715 did not receive the sixty vital cloture votes necessary, an examination of the manipulation and spin mass media sources employed must be undertaken. Throughout this debate, it seems like the typical arguments in favor of and against remained from the identical organizations that spawned them in the past. It is worth noting, there were a small number of new pro firearms control organizations created to try an ensure victory for this amendment. In an attempt to further dominate the information campaign, dispatches were also sent out form the Democratic National Committee, the Republican National Committee...
Words: 2364 - Pages: 10
...The 22nd Amendment sets a two-term limit on the office of the President. The limit on the President’s tenure was inspired by George Washington, who established the custom of Presidents voluntarily leaving the office after two terms. The move was seen as an important safeguard against tyrannical power. In 1947, a Republican-controlled Congress sent a 22nd Amendment to the states for ratification, and on February 27, 1951, the amendment was finally ratified. Congress and the president are very different however, one branch being controlled by one person, and the other controlled by hundreds. Many Americans argue that term limits could bring in more ideas and get more done in the shorter time congressmen would have. On the other hand, many feel that longer serving members bring experience to the table that new members lack. Pros to term limits includes new ideas constantly being brought to the table and a better lack of corruption, while cons are lack of experience and the fact that they are seen as unnecessary. One positive of term limits would constantly be bringing in new ideas to the Senate and the House. With a constant shuffle of new members, congressmen would be fresher and more “up to date” on the current issues facing America. Cycling leaders in...
Words: 698 - Pages: 3
...that may be considered immoral … should also be illegal” The opinion should articulate “pros and cons” of the student’s opinion as a justification for law (Phoenix, 2012). In order to offer an opinion, certain assumptions need to be identified so that opinion and justifications are clear. Assumptions: the consideration of laws is confined to the United States of America. Morality is determined by religion. In this student’s opinion, acts that may be considered immoral should not be illegal. According to Madison, 1791: Amendment I of the Bill of Rights: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. Joseph Story provides commentary on this amendment by stating: “the right of a society or government to interfere in matters of religion will hardly be contested by any persons, who believe that piety, religion and morality are intimately connected with the well-being of the state.” What of the person who does not believe in religion? If a person does not have the same faith or beliefs as the society, the person is more likely to commit a crime in a society of moral laws. Example: a person who chooses to have sex with another person of the same sex in the privacy of their own home does not impose on any other person’s right of freedom. It is this student’s opinion that laws based on morality violate the Bill of Rights, Amendment I regarding the freedom of religion and, in turn, becomes unconstitutional. In closing...
Words: 408 - Pages: 2
...conduct all government business in one language. Having English as an official language could possibly eliminate a lot of issues that have occurred and will occur due to words getting misplaced during translations. It will be very important for the United States to adopt English as its official language. Having an official language can possibly help with how the country flows. It will allow all government documents and issues to be presented in one language. There will be no room for mistakes that could happen during the translation of a document. In my preliminary research, I have found that the debate on adopting English as the official language of the United States has been going on for years. New amendments are being brought up at almost all sessions of Congress. I have also found that such...
Words: 561 - Pages: 3
...Pros and Cons of Death Penalty Does the execution of a murderer serve justice for all? One of the most controversial topics in the world today not only deals with the death penalty, also known as capital punishment, but whether it should be abolished or not . While some believe that the death penalty is “cruel and unusual punishment” violating the 8th amendment of the United States Constitution, others argue that “an eye for an eye” does justice. Thirty-four different states support this type of punishment including Oklahoma, leaving fifteen states that do not. According to Newport and the Gallup Polls, as of May 2007, “sixty-six percent of Americans -- almost the same percentage that supports the death penalty” consider the death penalty “morally acceptable.” Only twenty-seven percent of people believe the death penalty is morally wrong. Some say that the “legality in the United States is critically undermining American moral stature around the world (Ballaro & Cushman)." The death penalty is a very emotional, complex, and rather complicated matter that includes, but not limited to, the argument of the pros and cons as well as the fact that some convicted people whether executed or not are then later freed from guilt and blame (exonerated). There are many different pros of the death penalty, but I have chosen to only discuss a few of the most controversial topics. Supporters of death penalty believe that “[j]ustice is only achieved when a crime is met with the proper punishment...
Words: 1837 - Pages: 8
...For my final paper I have decided to do a on the ethical and controversial issue of abortion. In this report I will cover both sides of the abortion issue. I will summarize the stands of both Pro-Life advocates and Pro-Choice, by presenting arguments from organizations, authors, and journal articles from each side. As well as give a brief history on abortion and a look at the laws that govern this issue not only here at home but around the world. In conclusion of my report I will give my views on the issue and on which side of the fence my beliefs put me on. So lets begin. Up until the early 1960s abortion was illegal. Almost forty years after the Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced to Congress. However, abortion was not always a crime. During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, abortion of early pregnancy was legal under common law. Still abortion was illegal during a time when women had little to no rights over what they said, or desired and certainly no control over their right to give birth or not. Even still generations of women persisted in the need to control the amount of children they would have. In a time where birth control was very ineffective or not at all the likely hood of an unwanted pregnancy was inevitable. During the more than 100 years abortion was illegal in the United States some late-nineteenth-century doctors believed there were two million abortions a year. Many women died as a result of trying to have illegal abortions, but if...
Words: 1961 - Pages: 8
