Assignment:
U.S. Government
Question 1. Take a few moments to reflect on what it means to live in a democracy. We enjoy a wide variety of freedoms and rights in the United States, but rights often come with obligations (similar to a contract). Do you think that we, as citizens, have any obligations to the U.S. political system and to our fellow citizens in exchange for the benefits that our representative government provides? Explain your response.
Your journal entry must be at least 200 words in length. No references or citations are necessary
Question 2. In Unit II, we examined the U.S. Constitution and how it was developed. The Constitution begins with the words, "We the People," which is in reference to the citizens of the United States. What do you think it means to be the "we" in "We the People"? What does it mean to be a citizen of the United States? Be as specific as possible.
Your journal entry must be at least 200 words in length. No references or citations are necessary.
Question 3. The Bill of Rights provides protection from unreasonable and arbitrary governmental interference for several civil liberties such as freedom of speech and press. If you were able to add an additional freedom to the Bill of Rights, what would it be? Explain the impact you think it would have on your life and those around you.
Your journal entry must be at least 200 words in length. No references or citations are necessary.
Question 4. Given the growing popularity of social media as a political news source and the concurrent rise of fake news, especially in social media outlets, should there be stricter governmental control over social media and fake news? Explain your response, and relate it to examples in current events.
Your journal entry must be at least 200 words in length. No references or citations are necessary.
Question 5. Do you think today's political parties and interest groups encourage or hinder your engagement in politics? Identify how they encourage or hinder your participation at any level of government and politics.
Your journal entry must be at least 200 words in length. No references or citations are necessary.
Question 6. The U.S. Constitution establishes the impeachment process as a check on the presidency. However, some have argued that this mechanism has been used for political or partisan reasons rather than an actual check on the executive. What are your thoughts on this?
For background information on the impeachment process, review the resource below by clicking the link.
Spaulding, M. (2019, October 4). The impeachment question should rest on principle instead of politics. The Hill. https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/464381-the-impeachment-question-should-rest-on-principle-instead-of-politics.
Your journal entry must be at least 200 words in length. No references or citations are necessary.
Question 7. The U.S. Constitution states that a president can be impeached (i.e., charged with a crime) and removed from office for "treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanors." Over the years, presidents have been impeached; however, no president has been removed from office. Given the potential for politicizing the impeachment process, except in cases of treason and capital crimes (e.g., first-degree murder), do you think that presidents should be immune from being removed from office? Explain why or why not.
Your journal entry must be at least 200 words in length. No references or citations are necessary.
Question 8. How will you be able to apply what you learned in this course to your current or future work?
Your journal entry must be at least 200 words in length. No references or citations are necessary.