Federalism Round Up assignment

In your blog:  Pick two areas from each of the three sections in Chapter 4.  Write a paragraph on those areas and what you have learned in regards to each area.  You should have six total paragraphs


Section 1:
I learned about the powers of the National Government. These powers fall into three different types of powers: expressed powers, implied powers, and inherent powers. Examples of each respectably are the power to coin money, to prohibit race-based discrimination, and to conduct foreign relations.


I also learned about the powers that are reserved to the states. Some examples of these powers are: forbidding persons under 18 to marry without parental consent, or those under 21 to buy liquor. It can ban the sale of pornography, outlaw prostitution, and permit some forms of gambling and prohibit others. They can also require that doctors, lawyers, hairdressers, and plumbers be licensed in order to practice in the State. It can confiscate automobiles and other property used in connection with such illicit activities as illegal drug trafficking or prostitution. It can establish public schools, enact land use laws, regulate the services and restrict the profits of such public utilities as natural gas, oil, electric power, and telephone companies, and do much, much more.


Section 2:
In this section I learned about how only Congress has the power to admit new states. The Constitution places only one restriction on this power and that is that a new state can not be created by taking territory from one or more of the existing states without the consent of the legislature(s) of the state(s) involved.


I also learned that Federalism has a lot of intergovernmental cooperation. One of the best known are the grants-in-aid programs. These programs are grants of federal money or other resources to the states and/or their cities, counties, and other local units. Many of these governments are regularly strapped for funds and so these grants help them with everyday functions.


Section 3:
I learned that states, with the consent of Congress, may enter into interstate compacts-agreements among themselves and with foreign states. There are now over 200 compacts in effect currently and two of them have all of the 50 states joined within it.


I also learned about extradition, which is the legal process by which a fugitive from justice in one state is returned to that state. extradition is designed to prevent a person from escaping justice by fleeing a state.

Federalism Assignment

1.  What does Federalism mean by definition and what does Federalism mean to you?
         Federalism is a system of government in which a written constitution divides the powers of government on a territorial basis between a central, or national, government and several regional governments, usually called states or provinces.
         Federalism to me is just the understanding of the government we are living under currently.

2.  List and describe the three powers of the National Government.
         Expressed powers-power to lay and collect taxes, to coin money, to regulate foreign trade and interstate commerce, to raise and maintain armed forces, to declare war, to fix standards of weights and measures, to grant patents and copyrights, and to do many other things.
         Implied powers-the regulation of labor-management relations, the building of hydro-electric power dams, and the building of the 42,000-mile interstate highway system. It has made federal crimes of such acts as moving stolen goods, gambling devices, and kidnapped persons across State lines. It has prohibited racial discrimination in granting access to such places as restaurants, theaters, hotels, and motels. These are only a few of the thousands of examples.
         Inherent powers-The power to regulate immigration, to deport undocumented aliens, to acquire territory, to grant diplomatic recognition to other states, and to protect the nation against rebellion or other attempts to overthrow the government.

3.  Explain the division of powers and why it is important?
         It is important because the national government and local governments are in control of the same group of people but the local governments can do what is in best interest of their designated area. the national government controls everything across the nation but doesn't get involved with the local government's operations for the most part.

4.  What is the Supremacy Clause and what is its function?
         The Supremacy Clause creates a hierarchy of laws. Local law (city and county charters and ordinances) must yield to State law. State law must yield to federal law. At the top of the hierarchy is the United States Constitution, which stands above all other forms of law in the United States.
         It joins the National Government and the States into a single governmental unit, a federal government.

5.  Find a site on the Internet that deals with Federalism.  Take 10 minutes and review that site.  Provide the link and provide some of the useful information that you found to help you better understand what Federalism is and how it works.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/rightsandfreedoms/a/federalism.htm

This site lists several powers that are exclusive to the national and state governments and ones that are available to both governments.

Gov. Assignment #1

Personally I am annoyed already by all of the political ads, especially the ones from Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Kristi Noem going back and forth about voting on Nancy Pelosi. I haven’t gotten into it that much to decide which candidate that I like. But I would have to say Kristi Noem because she is Republican and I haven’t been happy with Stephanie when she got in before.

            Eventually I will be able to vote on who I want for congress, president, etc. But right now all I can really do is read up on the candidates and possibly promote the one I’m in favor for.

Only for Government

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