Government & The Constitution
description
Transcript of Government & The Constitution
Government & The Constitution
Ms. Astle
Goals of the ConstitutionTo form a more perfect union.
Establish justice
To insure domestic tranquility—keep peace among the people.
To provide for the common defense.
To promote the general welfare—promote well-being of the people by maintaining order, protecting individual liberties, regulating commerce, etc.
To secure the blessings of liberty
Major Principles of the Constitution
Popular sovereignty—people are the source of the governments power.
Republicans---people elect their political representatives.
Limited Government—the constitution limits the actions of government by specifically listing powers it does and does not have.
Federalism—in this government system, power is divided between national and state governments.
Major Principles of the ConstitutionSeparation of Powers—each of the 3 branches of government has its own responsibilities.
Checks and Balances—each branch of government holds some control over the other 2 branches.
Individual rights—basic liberties and rights of all citizens are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
Checks and Balances
Picture from: Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for KidsPicture from:ThisNation.com American Government & Politics Online
Picture from: Supreme Court of the United States
Executive BranchLegislative Branch
Judicial Branch
Can impeach judges
Can reject appointment of judges
Can declare laws unconstitutional
Can declare acts of the president unconstitutional
Appoints Judges
Can veto legislation
Can override veto Can impeach President
Can reject Presidential appointments and refuse to approve treaties.
Amending the Constitution
Thousands have been proposed sine 1788, but only 27 have actually become part of the Constitution.
An amendment can be proposed by two ways:
By the vote of 2/3 of both houses of Congress.
Be 2/3 of the state legislatures asking for a special convention on the amendment—this has never been used.
Amending the ConstitutionRatification of the amendment requires approval by ¾ of the states.
The Constitution can be ratified by the approval of state legislatures or by special state conventions—voters in each state choose the delegates
to the special conventions.
Introduction Committee Action
Floor Action Enactment Into Law
Most bills begin as similar proposals in the House and Senate
Committee holds hearings, makes changes, and recommends passage.
All bills must go through both the House and Senate before reaching the President.
Bill introduced in House→
Referred to House committee→
House debates and passes its form of bill→
House and Senate members confer and reach a compromise on a single bill↓
Bill introduced in Senate→
Referred to Senate committee→
Senate debates and passes its form of bill→
House and Senate approve Compromise→
President signs the bill into law.President may sign a bill into law or veto it.Congress may override a veto by 2/3 majority vote.
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Rights of American CitizensDue process of law
Equal Protection
Basic Freedoms—outlined in 1st amendment and others.
Limits on Rights---rights may be limited to prevent one person’s rights from interfering with the rights of others. The restriction of rights must be reasonable and must apply to everyone equally.
Citizenship ParticipationA citizen is a person who owes loyalty to and is entitled to the protection of a state or nation.
As citizens of the U.S. we are expected to carry out certain duties and responsibilities.
Duties—are things that we are required to do.
Responsibilities—are things we should do.
DutiesObey the law.
Pay Taxes
Defend the nation—all males aged 18 and older must register with the government in case they are needed for military service.
Jury duty.
Duty to serve as a witness at a trial if called to do so.
ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities are voluntary and people are not arrested or punished if they do not fulfill these obligations.
Know what government is doing and be involved.
Be informed about your rights.
Vote!!!
Participate in government---local, state, and others.
Respecting other’s rights.
The Three Branches of American Government
Branch Executive Legislative Judicial
Purpose (What) Carries out the laws
Makes the Laws Interprets the laws
Offices (Who) President, Vice President, and
Cabinet members
Senators (100—2 for each state)
and Representatives (435- based on
population)
Supreme Court Justices (9) and
other court officials
Building (Where)
White House U.S. Capitol Supreme Court
Three Branches of GovernmentQualifications
Requirements Term How ChosenPresident and Vice
President--35 years old--Natural born citizen--Lived in the U.S. for 14 years.
--4 year term--May serve 2 terms
--Elected by electoral college
Senator --30 years old--U.S. citizen for 9 years.--Live in state where elected
--6 years --Senate--Elected by the voters of the
state
Representative --25 years old--U.S. citizen for 7 years--Live in state where elected
--2 years --Representatives—Elected by voters of
district
Supreme Court Justices
--None --Life --Appointed by the President and
approved by Senate
ResourcesWhite House (2007) White House.gov at URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents.htmlBen’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids (2003) U.S. Government Printing Office at URL: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/whitehouse.htmlThisNation.com American Government & Politics Online (2004-2005) ThisNation.com at URL:http://www.thisnation.com/media/Supreme Court of the United States (2007) Supreme Court at URL: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/WashingtonPost.com (1996-2007) The Washington Post Company at URL: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/04/AR2007010400802_2.htmlPressRepublican.com (2006) CNHI at URL: http://pictopia.com/perl/gal?provider_id=282Wikipedia: Norman Rockwell (2007) Wikimedia Foundation Inc. at URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_RockwellAbout.com: Women’s History (2007) About.com at URL: http://womenshistory.about.com/library/pic/bl_p_ny_vote_1917.htmTrial by Jury Picture Gallery (2007) Alex Feldman at URL: http://math.boisestate.edu/gas/trial/html/gallery.htmlSeattlepic.com (1996-2009) Seattle Post-Intelligencer at URL: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/195844_voter19.htmlCartoonstock (2009) Cartoonstock.com at URL: http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/r/right_to_bear_arms.asp
ResourcesTime: Subway Alert (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/todayspick/0,23052,1115418,00.htmlTime: Sitting Down to Stand Up (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/rosa_parks/Time: Power Shift (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/senate/2.htmlTime: Clinton’s Last Days (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/clintonlastdays/tue_5.htmlTime: George W. Bush Becomes President (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/inauguration/Time: Inaugural Moments (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/inaughistory/12.htmlTime: The Election’s Final 48 Hours (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/bushwins/2.htmlNovmeber 22, 1963 and Beyond (2007) at URL:http://redbud.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/kennedy/Oath%20of%20Office/oath.htmTime: Top 10 Underreported Stories (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/article/0,30583,1686204_1690170_1692294,00.htmlUnited States Senate (2009) Senate.gov at URL: http://www.senate.gov/Simon Hall BBC TV Rough Justice (1999 & 2007)NJK at URL: http://www.solarnavigator.net/animal_kingdom/humans/simon_hall.htm
Resources SonicLiving (2007) SonicLiving at URL: http://www.sonicliving.com/event/239759Paul Ross Photography (2002) Paul Ross at ULR: http://www.caliach.com/paulr/news/polltax/html/bw0993_09.htmlMindMillion (2007) at URL: http://sidereus.org/MONEY/money_dollar_cash.htmThe Atlantic Slave Trade and Slave Life in the Americas at (2007) at URL: http://hitchcock.itc.virginia.edu/slavery/search.htmlAbout.com: 20th Century History (2007) About, Inc. at URL: http://history1900s.about.com/library/photos/blygd17.htmInfo Please: The Fifty States (2000-2007) Pearson Education at URL: http://www.infoplease.com/states.htmlEnchanted Learning: District of Columbia (2001-2007) EnchantedLearning.com at URL: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/dc/Wikipedia: Prohibition in the United States (2008) Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. at URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_StatesWikipedia: Jury Selection (2008) Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. at URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_selectionExploring Constitutional Conflicts (2009) Doug Linder at URL: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/articleV.htmBBC News In Pictures: America Votes (2009) BBC MMIX at URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7708773.stmPresidential Election 2008 (2008) TopicCraze at URL: http://www.topiccraze.com/topic?topic=presidentialelec