Popular Sovereignty
Preamble: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Explanation: Within the preamble of the US Constitution, 'We the People' give the government the power it has, and this is the idea of Popular Sovereignty. The people elect those who shall defend the American values with liberty and justice.
Article V: The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
Explanation: Article V provides methods of amending the Constitution. Amendments are made within the states and are made by those elected by the people of our nation. It also supports popular sovereignty with the Senate, as votes from the people create the equal representation throughout the Congress. This is popular sovereignty is the aspect that the people who make the amendments were voted upon to do so, as well as equal representation in the Senate.
News Article: Reclaiming Popular Sovereignty
http://townhall.com/columnists/davidlimbaugh/2009/08/28/reclaiming_popular_sovereignty/page/full/
Explanation: This article defends the American citizen from the president of the United States of America, Barack Obama. Within the article it discusses how Barack Obama began his term with support throughout the nation that he may be the next great president. This has changed within one year of time, as he was on a crash course to send America in decline in several values, including popular sovereignty. Obama began creating plans without the consent of the people and preached that they would change how Americans think and feel towards the president and his policies, though they continued to decline as his plans failed and society followed the plan, and was now on a crash course as well. Barack Obama took the popular vote of the people away from them, and his production as president has declined ever since.
Explanation: Within the preamble of the US Constitution, 'We the People' give the government the power it has, and this is the idea of Popular Sovereignty. The people elect those who shall defend the American values with liberty and justice.
Article V: The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
Explanation: Article V provides methods of amending the Constitution. Amendments are made within the states and are made by those elected by the people of our nation. It also supports popular sovereignty with the Senate, as votes from the people create the equal representation throughout the Congress. This is popular sovereignty is the aspect that the people who make the amendments were voted upon to do so, as well as equal representation in the Senate.
News Article: Reclaiming Popular Sovereignty
http://townhall.com/columnists/davidlimbaugh/2009/08/28/reclaiming_popular_sovereignty/page/full/
Explanation: This article defends the American citizen from the president of the United States of America, Barack Obama. Within the article it discusses how Barack Obama began his term with support throughout the nation that he may be the next great president. This has changed within one year of time, as he was on a crash course to send America in decline in several values, including popular sovereignty. Obama began creating plans without the consent of the people and preached that they would change how Americans think and feel towards the president and his policies, though they continued to decline as his plans failed and society followed the plan, and was now on a crash course as well. Barack Obama took the popular vote of the people away from them, and his production as president has declined ever since.
Separation of Powers
Article I, Section VI, Clause II: No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
Explanation: As stated above, no senator or representative shall be under any other office of authority while they are contributing to the power of Congress during that time. No other person who is apart of offices under these three branches may not contribute by being a member of another house, as each representative, senator, and president is limited to just one branch.
Article III, Section II: The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;--to controversies to which the United States shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more states;--between a state and citizens of another state;--between citizens of different states;--between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects.
Explanation: Article III, Section II, discusses the power and importance of the Judicial Branch. The Judicial Branch's powers rely on law and equality, and under their authority they can solve controversies within the United States. Judicial powers can lower to be relied upon by the states to solve stately issues, and holds the power of the United States court justices. Judicial co-powers with the Executive and Legislative and limits their influence in court cases.
News Article: Court Fights Ahead Over New Sentencing Rules : Novel Attempt at Fairness Is Attacked as a Violation of Separation of Powers
http://articles.latimes.com/1988-04-08/news/mn-1156_1_u-s-sentencing-commission
Explanation: Long ago, Conservatives as well as Liberals disagreed with the system being used for criminals. They believe under most circumstances criminals were not being convicted long enough, and so two men created an "independent commission within the judicial branch to draw up a sweeping set of rules to establish precise sentences for specific crimes." With this proposal, criminals would be retried for conviction and have the possibility of walking away or having an extended sentence. All of this would happen within the Judicial Branch. The other two branches argued that the amount of power this would grant the Judicial Branch would not ensure equality within the United States as the two other branches have no say in the process of creation of this plan and how much freedom the Judicial Branch would be given. It argues with the Constitution and therefore violates the idea of "Separation of Powers".
Explanation: As stated above, no senator or representative shall be under any other office of authority while they are contributing to the power of Congress during that time. No other person who is apart of offices under these three branches may not contribute by being a member of another house, as each representative, senator, and president is limited to just one branch.
Article III, Section II: The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;--to controversies to which the United States shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more states;--between a state and citizens of another state;--between citizens of different states;--between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects.
Explanation: Article III, Section II, discusses the power and importance of the Judicial Branch. The Judicial Branch's powers rely on law and equality, and under their authority they can solve controversies within the United States. Judicial powers can lower to be relied upon by the states to solve stately issues, and holds the power of the United States court justices. Judicial co-powers with the Executive and Legislative and limits their influence in court cases.
News Article: Court Fights Ahead Over New Sentencing Rules : Novel Attempt at Fairness Is Attacked as a Violation of Separation of Powers
http://articles.latimes.com/1988-04-08/news/mn-1156_1_u-s-sentencing-commission
Explanation: Long ago, Conservatives as well as Liberals disagreed with the system being used for criminals. They believe under most circumstances criminals were not being convicted long enough, and so two men created an "independent commission within the judicial branch to draw up a sweeping set of rules to establish precise sentences for specific crimes." With this proposal, criminals would be retried for conviction and have the possibility of walking away or having an extended sentence. All of this would happen within the Judicial Branch. The other two branches argued that the amount of power this would grant the Judicial Branch would not ensure equality within the United States as the two other branches have no say in the process of creation of this plan and how much freedom the Judicial Branch would be given. It argues with the Constitution and therefore violates the idea of "Separation of Powers".
Checks and Balances
Article I, Section VII, Clause II: Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Explanation: This clause of section 7 demonstrates the power of passing a law within the government. If a bill has passed the two houses and the president rejects it, the houses have the opportunity to go over it once again and attempt to improve it once more. If two thirds of the original house agrees as well as the other house, there is no need for the president's consent and it solely becomes a new law. If it is not agreed upon by those guidelines, it shall not become a law.
Article I, Section 3, Clause 4: The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
Explanation: Within the Senate, the Vice President does not have a vote unless there is a tie-breaker within the voting process. Due to an even amount of members in the Senate, one man (the Vice President) would give an advantage over one side of the votes. So unless there is an equal amount of votes where the Vice President decides which way it goes, he is not allowed to vote to balance the power.
News Article: Checks and Balances
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1996-01-08/news/9601050868_1_system-of-checks-checks-and-balances-democratic-system
Explanation: The US is built off of a government based on equal representation and equal power distributed upon the government itself. What makes it so unique is that this government allows the people to state their opinions and let their opinions be heard and not overshadowed. It is unique, and gives true personal freedom. This alone gives the citizens enough reason to be patriotic for their wonderful country, the United States of America.
Explanation: This clause of section 7 demonstrates the power of passing a law within the government. If a bill has passed the two houses and the president rejects it, the houses have the opportunity to go over it once again and attempt to improve it once more. If two thirds of the original house agrees as well as the other house, there is no need for the president's consent and it solely becomes a new law. If it is not agreed upon by those guidelines, it shall not become a law.
Article I, Section 3, Clause 4: The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
Explanation: Within the Senate, the Vice President does not have a vote unless there is a tie-breaker within the voting process. Due to an even amount of members in the Senate, one man (the Vice President) would give an advantage over one side of the votes. So unless there is an equal amount of votes where the Vice President decides which way it goes, he is not allowed to vote to balance the power.
News Article: Checks and Balances
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1996-01-08/news/9601050868_1_system-of-checks-checks-and-balances-democratic-system
Explanation: The US is built off of a government based on equal representation and equal power distributed upon the government itself. What makes it so unique is that this government allows the people to state their opinions and let their opinions be heard and not overshadowed. It is unique, and gives true personal freedom. This alone gives the citizens enough reason to be patriotic for their wonderful country, the United States of America.
Federalism
Amendment X: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Explanation: The Tenth Amendment discusses the powers enforced by the government. Federalism is a strong, centralized government. Within the Constitution the federal government has the most power, but if laws not enforced by the federal government are supported within the states, the state has the option of ratifying that law. If no law is brought up to limit the people, the people have the freedom to act accordingly.
Article VI: The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
Explanation: The federal government and state officials must uphold the Constitution. This article allows each militaristic officer as well as government official to have their own opinions on the Constitution as long as they defend it. It also defends non-religious candidates as they are allowed to run for office without offense to the nation. This guarantees civil liberties and allows the government to grow and be strong.
News Article: The Case for a Federalism Amendment
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124044199838345461.html
Explanation: The government is growing on a federal level and is imposing unwanted laws onto the states. If it grows too powerful, the states can petition the Congress to stop the oppression. The people are fighting for their Tenth Amendment rights. This is supposedly "unintentional" by the federal government, though it is still in effect and the states are feeling the pressing of the federal government's power. If all fails, a repeal of the 13th Amendment is possible, but a hard and enduring process. The states are attempting to find other ways to solve the problem.
Explanation: The Tenth Amendment discusses the powers enforced by the government. Federalism is a strong, centralized government. Within the Constitution the federal government has the most power, but if laws not enforced by the federal government are supported within the states, the state has the option of ratifying that law. If no law is brought up to limit the people, the people have the freedom to act accordingly.
Article VI: The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
Explanation: The federal government and state officials must uphold the Constitution. This article allows each militaristic officer as well as government official to have their own opinions on the Constitution as long as they defend it. It also defends non-religious candidates as they are allowed to run for office without offense to the nation. This guarantees civil liberties and allows the government to grow and be strong.
News Article: The Case for a Federalism Amendment
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124044199838345461.html
Explanation: The government is growing on a federal level and is imposing unwanted laws onto the states. If it grows too powerful, the states can petition the Congress to stop the oppression. The people are fighting for their Tenth Amendment rights. This is supposedly "unintentional" by the federal government, though it is still in effect and the states are feeling the pressing of the federal government's power. If all fails, a repeal of the 13th Amendment is possible, but a hard and enduring process. The states are attempting to find other ways to solve the problem.