Chapter 13

1. Research federal agencies and explain which one you feel is the most important one and why? I think Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is important. It is a type of federal organization established by Congress with authority to regulate an aspect of the economy or a sector of the federal government. This agency has the responsibility of the quality of air, water, and land. Which we all need those things.


2. Which federal agency could be terminated with the least impact (if any) and why? I think all agencies play an important role, I think they are here for a reason so I really don't see how you could pick one to be terminated.

3. Are any new agencies needed?  In other words, if you were president would you create new agencies?  If so, in what area(s)? I'm sure a new agency could always be needed. But personally I think the agencies we have are doing their job and I can't think of where a new agency would be needed.

Chapter 11

1. Who are your Senators and your Congressman? For class I our Senator for Tennessee is Bob Corker and for class II our Senator is Lamar Alexander. The Congressman for Tennessee is 1st- Rep. David Roe, 2nd-Rep. John Duncan Jr., 3rd-Rep. Charles Fleischmann, 4th- Rep. Scott DesJarlais, 5th- Rep. Jim Cooper, 6th- Rep. Diane Black, 7th- Rep. Marsha Blackburn, 8th- Rep. Stephen Fincher, 9th- Rep. Steven Cohen.

2. Research the areas they champions and find one you support.  What is it and why do you also support it? U.S Congressman Scott Desjarlais, he represents the 4th District of Tennessee. He focuses a lot on the importance of healthcare, employment, and labor.

3. Find an issue one of your Senators or Congressman champions that you disagree with.  Why do you disagree? I would have to say Steven Cohen, after doing some research, Memphis is one of the poorest places in the Nation, not just within Tennessee, so obliviously someone isn't doing their job as well as they should.

 

1. Dexter Pelfrey

2.

3.

 

Chapter 10

1. Read Bush v. Gore in the text.  Do you agree with the majority or the dissenting opinion?  Why? Well, its the rules, you must have 270 electoral votes. But in my opinion I think they should declare a winner by who has the most votes, period. Not by the electoral votes, each state represents a certain amount of electoral votes, it sounds confusing to me.
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 think there should be something done about this. I'm sure there are plenty of good candidates that have lost a chance to run due to not raising enough funds.
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 think people feel like their vote don't really count that, that one vote couldn't make a difference but it really can, those "one votes" add up and make the election what it is. I feel like people are so discouraged about what's going on lately and feel like its a losing battle.

1. Crystal West Jackson
2. Cassandra Kunsman
3. Nathan Tollett

Chapter 9

1. Which political party do you most identify with?  Why?  Are there things in the party platform with which you disagree? When it comes to political parties I identify myself with the Republican side.  The Republicans share the same morals as I do. I don’t believe in same-sex marriage, also this whole Obama care has really turned me against the Democrats.

 

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 think we do need political parties. We’re not going to agree on the same the subjects. I think political parties are a good way to get together and show what they stand for and how help others understand what’s going on.

 

3. Please research lesser known political parties - which one do you most identify with?  Why? Independent political party, because they believe in some of what the Republicans believe in and some of what the Democrats believe in.

1.

2.

3.

Chapter 8

1. From figure 8.1 in the text, select one of the interest groups and do some research on their issues and beliefs.  What did you learn?  What did you find interesting?  Do you agree/disagree with their positions on issues? Why? I learned that National Education Association has around 3.2 million members, Service Employees International Union has around 2.1 million members, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has around 1.6 million members, American Federation of Teachers has around 1.5 million members, International Brotherhood of Teamsters has around 1.4 million members, and Union Food Commercial Works International Union has around 1.3 million members. I didn’t realize there were so many members in each of these unions.

2. Find an interest group with which you associate (positively).  What is the name of the group and what do you find persuasive about their position on issues?

3. Do interest groups have enough/too much/the right amount of power in the political system?  Most believe it's a fine-line balance between freedom of speech for the groups and keeping unfair persuasion out of government.  Where is that line and when is it crossed? I think that interest groups have too much power in the political system.  Everyone should have freedom of speech and not feel obligated to do something or be a part of something because of the interest groups said so.

 

1. Rebecca Zuchowski

2. Megan Biggs

3. Nathan Tollett

Chapter 7

1.       Does objectivity still exist in the media's coverage of politics?  Of the major news outlets (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NPR, NBC, etc.), which are the most objective and which seem to have the most bias? I think that objectivity still exist in the media’s coverage.  In my opinion CNN and Fox News are the most bias.  My family and I don’t really watch any other news other than CNN and Fox News.

 

 

2. How does talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, etc.) affect your view of politics?  Why? In all honestly, I don’t listen to Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, or anyone else on talk radio. So it does not affect my view on politics.

 

3. Is media objectivity important?  Why or why not?  I think media objectivity is important.  Reason being, that media is everywhere. Rather it be on tv, radio, social networks, etc. Its seen by so many people.

 

1. Nathan Tollett

2. Megan Biggs

3. Dexter Pelfrey

Chapter 6

1. Is American news media too dependent upon polls?  Is it appropriate for news agencies to create polls and then report on them?  Why or why not? I don’t think American’s are too dependent on polls. Personally I like them.  I think it’s appropriate for new agencies to create polls and report on them as long as they doing their job and making a point with it. I think they are a good way to show and understand things than just watching someone read off of their paper.

 

2. How important is political party identification to you (e.g. as a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, etc.)?  Was it more or less important to your parents & grandparents?  Does it seem more or less important to your friends?  Why or why not? I think it’s very important, it shows what you stand for and don’t stand for. However, I think everyone should respect for what political party everyone may be. I think it’s more important to my grandparents especially, and also my parents. My reason is because they are older, they have been around longer and understand how important it is. They have been around and witnessed things a younger generation has not.

 

3. Do you feel that you opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues?  Why? I think my opinion is more influenced by economic issues, Its becoming very scary. It’s a very serious matter.  I think everyone is worried that they may lose their job and if so, you may lose everything else.

1.  Rebecca Zuchowski

2.  Megan Biggs

3.  Cassandra Kunsman

Chapter 5

1.       The issue of race- does the government do too little or too much to reduce the instances of racial discrimination? Why or how so?  I believe the government does too much.  I feel like whites and blacks are held at a different level still today. Although, we can all sit wherever we want on a bus, we can attend whatever school we want, no matter what our skin color may be. BUT I feel like the roles have someone changed due to racism in the past. If a black murders a white, not much can be said because it will be “racist”. But if a white murders a black it’s a “hate crime”. For an example, Trayvon Martin.  Trayvon Martin was a young African American who was murdered by a mixed Hispanic man. This murder caught so much attention from the news. However, the murders of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom who were a white couple were brutally murdered by four African Americans. This didn’t get nearly the attention as Trayvon Martin’s murder.  

2.       The issue of gender-same question.  I think the government does too little with the issue of gender. Reasons I think this is when we first heard of Sarah Palin, and her running for vice president. Or when there was talk of Hilary Clinton running for president these ladies were talked about as if they couldn’t do the job the same as a man. I believe that a woman and can do whatever a man can and yet I feel like women can now have the opportunity but just not the support that is much needed.

 

3.       The issue of sexual orientation-same question.  I feel like the government is doing too much with sexual orientation. As, a Christian I don’t believe in same sex and now same sex couples can get married! This use to be illegal. It’s changing so fast.  I just find it wrong and I don’t agree with it. I feel like the government is willing to let anything happen, and that’s not good!

 

1.Rebeccca Zuchowski

2.Nathan Tollet

3.Megan Biggs

 

Chapter 4

1. Freedom of Speech:  How important is it?  Does the freedom go "too far"?  What areas of speech should not be protected? Freedom of speech is very important. It's the right to say what you want and how you feel. Do what you want. But this all should be done in an appropriate manner. For an example if you don't like someone you don't have the right to shoot them. However, if that someone is harming you then you have the right to protect yourself. I think it's all about the manner that it's done in.

2. Freedom of Religion:  Is separation of church and state necessary?  Why or why not?  Yes I think it should be separation between the two. Freedom of Religion in a church studies religion. Freedom of Religion in the state don't necessary study a certain religion.  In a church, they study a certain religion and in state they study all types of religion. So yes I think there should be a separation between the two. I feel like everyone should be able to practice their religion.

3. Criminal Procedure:  Are defendant's rights crucial to our system of government?  Why or why not?  Many argue that defendants have too many rights - do you agree?  Why or why not? I think these defendant's rights are crucial. Without these its hard for people to have any privacy. They protect the investigation and what is used in trail. I think that defendant's have too many rights. I think they should be a little more harder on them.

1. Rebecca Zuchowski
2. Megan Biggs
3. Cassandra Kunsman

Chapter 3

1. Is a strong national government necessary or should the state governments have an equal share of power?  Why? I understand that it is necessary for the government to be a strong nation. The government affects everyone. We need something that we can count on. However, I think that each state and their governments should have equal share of power. The United States is made of 50 states and not one state is more important that another no matter what the size is of the state or the popularity of the state. All the states should work together. Every election and rule is important form each state.

 

2. National power increased during the Great Depression but then power began to shift back to the states (somewhat) during the Reagan administration?  Why did that happen and is that shift appropriate? During the Great Depression the national power had increased due to the stock market. The stock market had crashed. This affected the economy. During the time of the Reagan administration times were getting better. The economy was slowly picking up. With this the times were getting better also for the state power as well.

 

3. Education stirs much discussion relating to the issue of federalism.  Should the national government regulate education or is it a matter best left to state and local governments?  Why? Education is such a hot topic in my opinion because so many people are in college. Jobs are getting harder and harder to get especially without a degree. I think the national government needs to regulate education because this affects so many people but since there is so much going on in education in all states I think its best that state and the local governments take action when it comes to education.


1. Rebecca Zuchowski
2. Nathan Tollett
3. Jared Griffith

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

1. Why is the United States Constitution stronger than the Articles of Confederation? How would the history of United States have been different if the country still operated under the Article? Although both the Constitution and the Articles have a lot in common such as established by the same people, they however were quite different also.  Such as voting, Articles were one vote per state and in the Constitution it was one vote per Representative or Senator. The Constitution was stronger because the Articles gave the states too much of the power.  The Constitution created Federalism and the Three Branches.  I think if the U.S was still under the Articles the nation would be in worse shape. More debt would than we already have, I don’t believe all the states would be working together instead be fighting.
2. The first three articles of the Constitution establish/define the three branches of government-read these articles. What did you learn that you didn’t already know about our government? The three branches are Judicial Branch, Executive Branch, and Legislative Branch. I really didn’t know much about the three branches. I learned that the Judicial Branch determines the legality of the actions for the Executive Branch and it also declares federal laws. The Executive Branch proposes and vetoes legislation and appoints judges and pardons the crime. The Legislative Branch is where the courts are established and impeaches and convicts are removed.
3. How important is the Supreme Court ruling in Marbury v. Madison and why? The court wasn’t in the favor for Marbury.  The question was if the two laws conflict the court must decide on the outcome.
4. Looking at the United States government today, is it more like what the federalists or the Anti-Federalist envisioned and why?  Federalist, because they wanted to live under the Constitution not under the Articles and that’s how things are in the government today.

About me..

Hey! My name is Brittany McCann. I am 23 years old. I am a proud mother to a 2 year old boy named Landon. I live in Oneida, Tennessee. I work at Oneida Elementary School as a substitute teacher. This is my second year at Roane State. I am majoring in Elementary Education. I am doing the 2+2 program. I would love to be a first grade teacher school.  I am eager to learn more about America and how the government works. I’m ready to see what this class has in store for me. Hopefully everyone will have a great semester!