Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Constitution Test

See below for the review for your Constitution Test this Friday.


Constitution Review
US Govt.                40 points  Multiple Choice
                                Write 1 prompt from 2 choices 5 points

Terms to Know

Constitution                          6 Basic Principles                       Implied Powers
Preamble                                     Popular Sovereignty              Expressed Powers
        Know the 6 Goals               Federalism                             Elastic Clause
Articles                                        Separation of Powers           Necessary + Proper Clause
Amendments                               Checks + Balances                Full Faith + Credit Clause
Bill of Rights                              Limited Gov’t.                       Supremacy Clause
                                                     Judicial Review

You need to know the terms and concepts from the Amendments (you are responsible for Amendments 1-10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26.) Don’t memorize the Amendments by number.

Slander                                                  Libel                                       Petition
Probable Cause                                    Reasonable Cause                  Double Jeopardy
Freedom from Self-Incrimination    Eminent Domain
Miranda Warning                                Due Process                            Grand Jury
Trial Jury                                               Criminal                                 Civil
Bail                                                         Fine                                        Suffrage
Capital Punishment                            Poll Tax

You need to know the content of the 7 Articles. Refer to the quiz we took in class.
Be familiar with the process to add an amendment.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Parts of Constitution


You asked so here is a brief outline of the 7 Articles
Mr. Thompson

Parts of the Constitution
Article 1 – Legislative - Congress
House of Representatives + Senate
When Congress will meet
Congress makes its own rules
Privileges and salary
How laws are passed
Congress’ powers (expressed powers)
Necessary and proper clause
a.k.a. elastic clause (implied powers)
Powers denied to Congress
State’s powers
Process of impeachment
Article 2 – Executive       President + VP + Cabinet
                     Qualifications
                     Powers of the Pres
                     Impeachment
Electoral College
Article 3 – Judicial Branch
                     Supreme Court and other courts
                     Jurisdiction
                     Treason
Impeachment
Article 4 – Full faith and credit clause
Article 5 – Process to add Amendments
Article 6 – Supremacy clause
Article 7 – Ratification of Constitution

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Filibuster, Rand Paul, CIA Director and Drones?

The article linked here is information about the filibuster we discussed in class today. The Senate is allowed to filibuster endlessly unless 60 Senators agree to stop the filibuster. A Republican spoke for about 13 hours Thursday (the 9th longest filibuster in our history). No vote can take place in the Senate as long as debate is continuing. As long as someone is talking, a vote can be delayed. The filibuster is a tactic usually reserved for the minority party (Republicans today) to prevent the majority (Democrats today) from passing something. In today's example, one of Pres. Obama's appointees was scheduled to be voted on by the Senate to see if that nominee should be confirmed by the Senate. An example of checks and balances that we are currently discussing.

Feel free to read and comment or just enjoy,
Mr. Thompson