10-29-17

10-26-17

Please date each bellringer entry in the bellringer sections of your binder. 

2-9

2-7

1. What are the three groups in the cartoon?

2. What is represented by the writing on the backs of the players?

3. What are the referees using as their "rulebook"?

4. What power did Marbury v Madison give the referees that is not shown in the cartoon?

1-13

1-12

1. What has changed about the House and the Senate since the time the Constitution was written and now?

2. How long is a term for a Representative? A Senator?

3. How do their term lengths relfect how the senate is suppose to "temper the politically impulsive nature of the House"?

1-6

1) Are there any problems you can see with bicameralism?

2) Are there any problems you can see with unicameralism?

10-7

Americans have been debating since before the Constitution was ever signed. The past decade, beginning with the disputed election of 2000, has been a long national civics debate about what is best for America. For eight years under George W. Bush, the nation wrestled with the balance between privacy and security (an issue the framers had to debate) while the left portrayed the country as moving toward tyranny. For the last five years under President Obama, we have weighed issues of individual freedom vs. government control while the right has portrayed the country as moving toward a socialist welfare state.

A new focus on the meaning of the Constitution is at the center of the political stage. Everywhere there seems to be debate about the scope and meaning and message of the Constitution. This is a healthy thing. Even the framers would agree on that.

So are we in a crisis? In a word, no. The Constitution was born in crisis. It was written in secret and in violation of the existing one, the Articles of Confederation, at a time when no one knew whether America would survive. The Constitution has never not been under threat.

Today’s debates represent conflict, not crisis. Conflict is at the core of our politics, and the Constitution is designed to manage it. There have few conflicts in American history greater than the internal debates the framers had about the Constitution. For better or worse- and I would argue better- the Constitution allows and even encourages deep arguments about the most basic democratic issues. A crisis is when the Constitution breaks down. We’re not in danger of that, nor are we in danger of flipping the Constitution on its head and abandoning our nation’s core values.

- Richard Stengel. “Does It Still Matter: The Constitution Today,” TIME Magazine, July 4, 2011

1) What does the author think about the role of debate in our political culture?

2) What is this source arguing about the existence of a current political crisis? How does he support his argument?

10-6

10-5

10-4

9-28

1. According to Horsey, what are the differences between Red States and Blue States? How extreme are these differences? 

2. How extreme are these differences? 

9-27

• According to Bishop, where do Americans choose to live?
• What does Bishop think are the consequences of this?

9-21

If I was in any doubt, as to the right which the Parliament of Great Britain had to tax us without our consent, I should most heartily coincide with you in opinion, that to petition, and petition only, is the proper method to apply for relief; because we should then be asking a favor, and not claiming a right, which, by the law of nature and our constitution, we are, in my opinion, indubitably entitled to. I should even think it criminal to go farther than this, under such an idea; but none such I have. I think the Parliament of Great Britain hath no more right to put their hands into my pockets, without my consent, than I have to put my hands into yours for money; and this being already urged to them in a firm, but decent manner, by all the colonies, what reason is there to expect any thing from their justice?

—George Washington, letter to Bryan Fairfax (July 20, 1774)

1. Why does Washington believe that just asking the British government to reduce taxes is the wrong course of action?

2. According to Washington, what is necessary for Parliament to pass taxes on the colonists?

9-20

That this kingdom has the sovereign, the supreme legislative power over America, is granted. It cannot be denied; and taxation is a part of that sovereign power. It is one branch of the legislation. . . . Protection and obedience are reciprocal. Great Britain protects America, America is bound to yield [give] obedience. If not, tell me when the Americans were emancipated? When they want the protection of this kingdom, they are always ready to ask it. That protection has always been afforded them in the most full and ample manner. The nation has run itself into an immense debt to give them this protection; and now they are called upon to contribute a small share to the public expense.

—George Grenville, Member of Parliament (January 14, 1766)

1a. According to Greenville, why does Great Britain have a large debt? Who should help pay that debt?

1b.Why does Parliament have the power to impose taxes on British colonies, according to Grenville?

9/12

9-12 

8/26

The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbour that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
Emma Lazarus

1. According to this poem how will immigrants be treated upon arriving in America?

2.Using this picture, describe what living conditions were like for many immigrants.

8/25

"a rule that the citizenship of a child is determined by the place of its birth"- definition of jus soli, or Law of Soil

"a rule that a child's citizenship is determined by its parents' citizenship"- definition of jus sanguinis, or Law of Blood  

1. Is the cartoonist for or against jus sanguinis? What about jus soli?

2. How does the cartoonist use symbols to communicate his message?

3. Do you agree with any of the citizenship laws? Why or why not?

8/23

Document A

“For the protection of the equality of our American citizenship …we demand that the immigration laws be thoroughly enforced, and so extended as to exclude from entrance to the United States those who can neither read nor write.”   (Republican Platform of 1896)   http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29629   

Document B

“There is urgent need of improvement in our naturalization law. No alien should become a citizen until he has become genuinely American, and adequate tests for determining the alien's fitness for American citizenship should be provided for by law.”   (Republican Platform of 1920)    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29635

#1 Define naturalization 

#2 Using textual evidence, did the GOP (Grand Old Party, or the Republican Party) want to make more or less difficult to immigrate to the US?

#3 Do you agree with any/all of these stances and why(not)?