Statistics through RODP

So I have been taking a statistics class through Regents. I am half way through and all I can say is thank the Lord I am not needing any additional math! I currently have a 91% in the class overall.

Chapter 14 Blog Assignment

1. Read online bio's of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices.  What do you find interesting about their backgrounds?  Pick one of the Justices, read about cases this Justice has written (majority or dissent) and explain whether you agree or disagree with his/her judicial philosophy.

I do think it is interesting and a big positive that the justices are so diverse of a group. As a member of the court, Sandra Day O’Connor was considered to be a moderate conservative. She tended to vote in line with her politically conservative nature, but she still considered her cases very carefully. In opposition to the Republican call to reverse the Roe v. Wade decision on abortion rights, O’Connor provided the vote needed to uphold the court’s earlier decision. Many times she focused on the letter of law, not the clamoring of politicians, and voted for what she believed best fit the intentions of the U.S. Constitution.

2. Is Judicial Review a power that should be exercised regularly or sparingly?  Why?

 I think Judicial Review is an excellent tool to be used to 'fully' understand the Constitution. YET it can be very harmful depending on how used. In thecase of slavery, the framers wanted Slavery to be outlawed within 20 years and not spread. Due to Judicial Review it took a Civil war to bring about the end of slavery. For this reason I do think it is a process that should be used sparingly.

3. Is it the job of the High Court to apply the Constitution in light of the intent of the framers of the Constitution (strict construction) or should they interpret the Constitution in light of changes in society/technology (living Constitution)?  Why?

I believe their job should be strict construction. Our Constitution is not something that should change with time. I do not feel the framers wanted and evolving law which is why they added in the Bill of Rights, to make sure it did not evolve to over take them.  If changes are needed then it is Congress' job to mandate laws to fit the times.

Chapter 13 Blog Assignment

1. Research federal agencies and explain which one you feel is the most important one and why?

I feel the concept of the Homeland Security agency is the most important. I do not feel it does enough though. I feel the agency should be the head of all organization for out homeland. The FBI, CIA, NSA should all be headed through the Homeland Security. This would allow better communication between agencies and a better security for our home front.

2. Which federal agency could be terminated with the least impact (if any) and why?

 I do not feel that any agency could be terminated without having crucial effects to both or social culture and economic culture. I think every agency could be cut back to a more manageable size. There are things in each agency that does not work, which causes the end result to be less productive.

3. Are any new agencies needed?  In other words, if you were president would you create new agencies?  If so, in what area(s)?

NO, I do not feel there are new agencies needed. I feel the government already has more control over our lives then is needed. We also spend billions of dollars on programs that are not worked enough as it is.

Chapter 12 Blog Assigment

1. What makes a great President (not which Presidents have been great) . . . what qualities are essential to greatness?  Why?

 In my opinion a great President is someone who does everything in their power to fulfill their promises to the people. A President who does not play games and try to deceive the American public. A good President looks out for the welfare of our nation for our children and grandchildren.

2. Other than Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, which two Presidents have been the greatest and why?

Thomas Jefferson, being one the president's that had the greatest  role in the Deceleration of Independence and the writing of the Constitution. I feel he was in line with what this country needed and was expected as a president.

Franklin Roosevelt is the one I would choose second. This is a hard call for me as I think he is a great president for the fact that he got citizens through our hardest economic times. That being said I do not agree with the social program and route our federal government has taken on since the New Deal. So many of these programs have been inefficient in much help yet drastically contribute to out financial crises. 

3. Research a President that you're previously unfamiliar with - list at least three things you learned.  Was this President effective?  Why or why not?

I researched James K Polk.  I learned he left office before finishing term due to health and dies shortly after. His primary focus was on expanding the United States and after a war with Mexico, he acquired California and New Mexico. He left being the Speaker of the House of Representatives to become the Governor of Tennessee. I do believe off of what I read that President Polk was an effective President. He accomplished what he said he was set to do; in the end that is what should be used to judge effectiveness.

Chapter 11 Blog Assigment

1. Who are your Senators and your Congressman?

Our Senators are Alexander Lamar and Bob Corker. My Congressman is Scott DesJarlais.

2. Reserach the areas they champion and find one you support.  What is it and why do you also support it?

Congressman Scott DesJarlais is against all of the 'jobs stimulus' President Obama is currently pursuing. He wants to pass bills that will allow small business to grow. He wants to stop over-spending, stop over-taxing and, above all, stop over-regulating. I do not think taxing the rich is the answer to our problems, or giving all this help to 'big' business', as we see how in favor of the American population they are. Small business' are the ones keeping the jobs here in America for the American people. I do believe they are the key to getting us out of this jobs mess.

3. Find an issue one of your Senators or Congressman champions that you disagree with.  Why do you disagree?

Senator Bob Corker has effectively cornered Amazon and other online retailers to charge sales tax.  I do not agree with this policy. From a personal stand point I believe congress spends way to much money without the American approval and then taxes to make up some of that. Americans are taxed on far to many things in my opinion, when the average household can not make bills.

Chapter 10 Blog Assigment

1. Read Bush v. Gore in the text.  Do you agree with the majority or the dissenting opinion?  Why?

   I agree with the majority. I do feel if someone went through and hand counted votes using their 'opinion' more problems would have issued. I am a firm believer that no one in this country could really put aside their desire for who should be president and count the votes unbiasedly.

2. Is the ability to fundraise too important in elections?  In other words, are good candidates prevented from running because they cannot raise the needed funds?  Can/should something be done to correct this if it is a problem?

  I will say I think we have gotten out of hand on how much money it costs to run in an election. It truly has become a who you know and how much money you have race. I can honestly say I do not know how it can be corrected as I do not believe tax payers should be paying for the elections at all when we are so far in debt anyways.

3. Why is there such voter apathy - in other words, why is there often such low voter turnout for elections?  Is there a way to rectify this problem?

I do think as a whole most people do not think their vote counts. I also do not feel the average person is taught how important it is to vote or why. We seem to forget it is a right that LOTS of people have fought for in our countries past. I must say I love when I read that it is mandated by law to vote in some countries. Then I am faced with the dilemma of do I really feel that our law makers should be made to tell us we have to vote. I am in a catch 22 at this point.

Chapter 9 Blog Assigment

1. Which political party do you most identify with?  Why?  Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree?

I identify with the Republican party primarily. I am conservative and feel our government should take a more hands off approach.  I do not feel we should have a lot of the laws we have today. Also if our government took a step back and let people run and live their own daily lives, I do not believe we would be in the debt or economic worry we are in today. I feel we have a double standard in a lot of way, we fiddle in this because a politician thinks we should but we are going to let this business continue to do under handed things. At some point there has to be more of an equality to getting involved or staying out of it. I do not believe in the regulations on same sex marriage or death penalty.

2. Does America need political parties?  The founders originally hoped that American politics would operate without need of parties?  Would that work today?  Why?

I do agree that America needs political parties. Exactly what our text book pointed out, without them how would we hold our politicians accountable. I do not feel we would have the democracy we have today without the parties. Take out the parties and I believe we would go back to political bosses. The arena for elections would have to be controlled by someone and I do not think there would be the 'other' party checking to make sure things are done correctly.

3. Please research lesser known political parties - which one do you most identify with?  Why?

I researched the American First Party, established in 2002. The party is pro-life, opposes all gun control, seeks to end affirmative action, racial quotas, and illegal and unlimited immigration. They believe the 16th amendment was not ratified and should be removed. I do not agree with the fact that they support allowing mandated organized prayer in public places, especially in public schools. But I do agree with them allowing displays of religious icons (such as tablets of the Ten Commandments) by the government on public property. They want to take all federal funding from public schools and although I agree with their position that this allows to much federal control, I still feel funding with minimal regulation should occur.