The Constitution Today

 One Document,Under Seige was written by Richard Stengel and published on Time Magazine's website June 23, 2011.

INTRO:  

1. Which group does Stengel claim has refocused America's attention on the Constitution?
the Tea Party

2. How does he define "constitutional originalists"?
as those who believe the document should be interpreted only as the drafters understood it
3. What does Texas Congressman Ron Paul say the intent of the Constitution is, and how does Stengel counter this statement?
Ron Paul says the intent of the Constitution is to restrain the federal government Stengwl counters by saying that the framers did the opposite and strenthened the center and weakend the states

LIBYA:

4. What does the War Powers Resolution do?
requires the President to withdraw U.S. forces from armed hostilities if Congress has not given its approval within 60 days
5. Why does Barack Obama think this does not apply to the situation in Libya?
does not meet the threshold of hostilities in the legislation
6. How does Stengel explain the War Powers Resolution as a check and balance?
It checks presidental power, but the President seeks to balance by ignoring it
7. Does Congress want to be in charge of committing troops? Why or why not?
No, Congress does not want to be in charge of committing troops but they just do not want the President to do so while making them look impotent

DEBT CEILING:

8. Why would defaulting on our debt have been unconstitutional?
because it goes against the 14th Amendment, Section 4

9. How does the argument over the debt limit usually play out?

the debt ceiling gets raised

OBAMACARE:

10. Why has one district judge declared Obama's Health Care plan unconstitutional?
Never before has Congress required that everyone buy a product from a private company (essentially for life) just for being alive and residing in the United States.
11. Which congressional power allows the government to require us to purchase things?
interstate commerce, and the ability to tax

12. Why does Stengel argue that citizens should be required to buy insurance?
because when someone doesn't have insurance it makes hospital care more expensive

IMMIGRATION:

13. What does the principle of jus soli mean?
means that if you're born within the borders of a country, you're automatically a citizen
14. What part of the constitution makes the US a jus soli nation?
14th Amendment

15. What was the original intent of this part of the constitution?
to establish that former slaves were indeed citizens and entitled to all the rights of citizenship
16. What is the difference between a constitution and a code of laws?
A code of laws has a strict clear meaning; a constitution has broad principles that are unchanging but  accommodate each new generation and circumstance.

Cornel West and Barack Obama

The Black War Over Obama was written by Allison Samuels and published in Newsweek Magazine on August 15, 2011. The column records issues in regards to Cornell West's attacks on President Obama. Samuels also shows how West has gone to the streets with his criticism including the 15-city "poverty bus" tour. The column ends with a quote of Professor Charles Ogletree “This is not about two very brilliant men squashing a beef”, implying that the disaccord of West with Obama will not be allowed to impact the 2012 reelection of Obama. This article is Samuels's personal views in regards to Cornel West turning his back on the man he helped place in office.

Allison Samuels's column on the relationship between Cornel West and Barack Obama gives us an explanation of how the media can play a major role in the election of public officials. She quotes Rev. Otis Moss III as saying that "The negative discussion Dr. West is having can only put more apathy in the hearts of African-Americans and could ultimately cause them to lose more faith in the entire political process, where does which leave us?" It is hard to say how much of an impact might be having on the African-American Community. Samuels states that the President has retained overwhelming support among black voter, but the numbers have drastically decreased from those of 2008. According to Samuels some of the President's allies a truce is near.

1) Obama faces opposition from the Republican Party, but which portion of the public seems the most upset with Obama's performance in office?
The African-Americans
2) What is different about unemployment and foreclosures for African Americans today?
Unemployment is near 17 percent for African-Americans (the national average rate is 9 percent) and 11 percent of black homeowners facing imminent foreclosure
3) What is the "Congressional Black Caucus"?
An organization representing the black members of the United States Congress.
4) What portion of the population does Cornell West think Obama is ignoring?
Those living in poverty
5) What criticisms do members of the African American community have about West's approach?
That he is placing apathy in the hearts African-Americans which is causing them to loose faith in the political system
6) How have perceptions of Barack Obama changed in the African American community?
They don’t believe that Obama's actions have helped the economy
7) Why do some suspect that Cornell West's criticism is not sincere?West and Smiley may have been motivated by a desire for attention and book sales than a genuine concern for the poor.
8) Why is it so important that Barack Obama make amends with Cornel West?
Cornell West is a prominent figure in the African-American community and can sway the votes of the African-American peoples
9) Cornel West is a good example of an "opinion leader". What do you think that means?
I think this means that his opinions often persuade others in to having the same opinions as himself
10) What do you think about West's criticism and approach?
I think that West's criticism and approach is dramatic and uncalled for

Obama & the Debt Ceiling

The President Surrenders was written by Paul Krugman and posted og July 31, 2011. The article records  issues in regards to deal to raise the federal debt ceiling. Krugman also gives an of how a slash in government spending, will depress the economy even further. The article ends with the question "how can American democracy work if whichever party is most prepared to be ruthless, to threaten the nation’s economic security, gets to dictate policy?". This article is Krugman's personal views in the federal debt ceiling.

Paul Krugman's column on the federal debt ceiling gives us an explanation of the plan to raise the debt ceiling and its affects on the already fragile economy. He refers to the spending cuts as being "like medieval doctors who treated the sick by bleeding them, and thereby made them even sicker." The Republican's strive to threaten crisis untill the President surrenders to their policy demands. Krugman states that the President has demonstrated that he cannot stand up to blackmail, and that should be a cause for dismay. According to Krugman the entire American democratic system is being called into question.

1) The federal debt ceiling is legal limit on borrowing by the federal government.
2) America's long term deficit problem is debt.
3) Krugman says "The worst thing you can do in these circumstances is slash government spending, since that will depress the economy even further."
4) I think Krugman says the President surrended because he had the power to disagree and instead gave into the demands of the Republicans.
5) Defense spending is the military budget.
6) The G.O.P stands for Grand Old Party and is the Republican party
7) Krugman's main critisism of how the President handles things is that
8) Medicare is the federal system of health insurance for people over 65 years of age and for certain younger people with disabilities.
9) Krugman's conclusions in the last is that American democracy can not work if policy is contorled by whichever party is willing to be more ruthless.
10) I think that Krugman's political opinions are that he is a Democrat that strongly disagrees with Obama's approach to the deal with raising the debt ceiling.