Constitutional Study Guide Assignment by Ines Frazier https://padlet.com/inesfrazier/z0ch7u80ronn en-us 2019-01-17 03:37:48 UTC 2019-01-23 06:07:44 UTC hello@padlet.com (Tree) Branches of Government inesfrazier https://padlet.com/inesfrazier/z0ch7u80ronn/wish/321533610 There are three branches of government : Judicial, Executive, and Legislative (JEL; almost like gel, but doesn't quite stick to the rules like gel sticks to hair)

Judicial comes from the Latin word judicium which means judgement. This is exactly what the Judicial branch does it judges cases through court systems. 
The judicial branch was established in Article III of the Constitution. 
Its' responsibilities are to interprets laws and to determine whether or not the laws are constitutional (judicial review). The Judicial branch also supervises all federal courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US and consists of 9 supreme court justices. (8 if we disregard Kavanaugh) The judicial branch can declare laws passed by Congress as unconstitutional and can overrule court decisions made by lower courts as Constitutional. Can also declare presidential acts as unconstitutional. 

Executive is like the E in CEO. The constitution provides the establishment of the presidency in Article II. The president, vice president, and his or her cabinet are meant to enforce laws passed by Congress. The President is given the power to negotiate treaties (although need acceptance through the Senate), meets with foreign leaders, signs bills into law, veto congressional enactments (Congress can override veto with 2/3rd vote), leads the U.S. Armed Forces, appoints federal judges, Gives the “State of the Union” Address, and can grant pardons.

Legislative is a bicameral legislature, two parts, but is housed within Article I of the Constitution. Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress creates laws and has the power to impeach the president. The House of Rep initiates revenue bills, chooses the president when the electoral college is deadlocked, and serve two year terms. The Senate ratifies treaties, confirms judicial appointments, confirms executive appointments, and serves six year terms.

]]> 2019-01-17 03:40:02 UTC https://padlet.com/inesfrazier/z0ch7u80ronn/wish/321533610 Checks and Balances inesfrazier https://padlet.com/inesfrazier/z0ch7u80ronn/wish/323294408 The purpose of “Checks and Balances” is to prevent one branch of the federal government from gaining too much power. Thus, each branch has the ability to limit the powers of the other branches.
1. (Legislative over Judicial) The legislative branch can reject Supreme Court nominees, impeach and remove federal judges, amend court jurisdictions, and change the size of federal court system and number of Supreme court justices.
2. (Executive over Legislative) The executive branch can veto acts of congress, call a special session of congress, and the vice president can cast tie breaking votes in the senate.
3. (Judicial over Executive) The judicial branch can declare executive actions unconstitutional, the courts have the power to issue warrants, and the chief justice presides over impeachment of president.]]> 2019-01-23 03:06:43 UTC https://padlet.com/inesfrazier/z0ch7u80ronn/wish/323294408 Amendments inesfrazier https://padlet.com/inesfrazier/z0ch7u80ronn/wish/323294448 The 13th Amendment and the 19th Amendment are the two “most” important Amendments. The 13th Amendment states that, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” This allows for the history of racism and for the criminalizing black folks, especially black men, to continue. From Reagan to Clinton to Bush- all have pushed for war on drugs which ultimately led to a war on black communities, as the prison industry complex has only grown from there. With 2.3 million people in prison, the United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world.
The 19th amendment states that the right of citizens to vote "shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." This allowed for women to have the right to vote. Although much of the feminist movement started back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was mainly based on white feminism. Now we have intersectional feminism and this amendment allows people to vote regardless of sex, so discrimination in voting has decreased but has not been eradicated. Onward to equality in all sense and justice for all.

The amendment process is talked about in Article 5 of the Constitution.


]]> 2019-01-23 03:07:00 UTC https://padlet.com/inesfrazier/z0ch7u80ronn/wish/323294448 Constitutional Reform inesfrazier https://padlet.com/inesfrazier/z0ch7u80ronn/wish/323294470 One proposal was the changes of the tenure of the Supreme Court justices under the Constitution. Supreme Court justices can remain in that position until the retire, pass away, or are removed under extreme circumstances. 
This has been under scrutiny as the supreme court holds the highest judicial power in the land and some supreme court justices may not rule in favor of what is best for the nation in a particular time period. Some have suggested to have 18 year terms and then be available to serve on lower federal courts. Some have also suggested to have a retirement age. "I don't think that lifetime tenure is the problem. The problem is who gets up on the court," as they have the power to pass or deny certain cases that impact the lives of people living in America. There has been talk about how the supreme court justices are being elected and how it would be beneficial to have a different mode of appointing nominees and allowing them represent or partake in addressing court cases.  It is time for change, but in which direction we will go is for the people to decide. As Obama said, "I believe in change because I believe in you."]]> 2019-01-23 03:07:11 UTC https://padlet.com/inesfrazier/z0ch7u80ronn/wish/323294470