Thursday, December 4, 2008

AWOL - Constituion Assignment Part A

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, 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."

The purpose of the constitution is to create a "stable and just society", which is clearly stated in the Preamble. The goals listed in the Preamble are:
-> ESTABLISH justice
-> INSURE domestic tranquillity
-> PROVIDE for the common defence
-> PROMOTE the general welfare
-> SECURE the blessings of Liberty
-> DO ORDAIN & establish this Constitution

In the Preamble, the statement explains that the people of America; the U.S. citizens, came forth to put together a set of rules known as the U.S. Constitution which was created "for the people and by the people". The Preamble goes in depth about the suppositions made in the constitution such like establishing justice: making everything fair through the court of law. The constitution helps maintain peace within the American community and to also support those who decide to go to war. It benefits for what the government can provide; a republic and not a monarchy. These decisions are made by the separation of powers: The Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches. Through the three branches, they are given checks & balances where they set up mechanisms to restrict each branch of what they can do.
->In the Legislative Branch, the Congress is split up into two groups: the house of representatives which include 435 members, and the senate, 100 members. The Congress has a total of 535 members who are responsible for the people and have the power to make laws, control money, declare war, ratify treaties and Amend the constitution.
->The Executive Branch, which includes the President and Vice-President, is responsible for giving a State of the Union address; judgment to the congress. He/She has the power to grant pardons for offences against the United States, appoint treaties, and veto.
->The Judicial Branch involves the Supreme Court which contains 9 judges. The court has the responsibility to declare a law constitutional or unconstitutional by using the judicial review as their weapon. They have the power to "declare the punishment of treason" where the court can estimate the charge of a convict.

I felt frustrated while reading the Preamble and the three articles of the U.S. constitution, due to the fact that it was written in old engllish. While taking notes, I always caught myself looking back at the blue text. I always did that to get a better understanding of the different branches and how they functioned.

Questions:
How can we support other parts of the word during war when our own country is already a wreck? Where does "insuring domestic tranquillity" come in?

How can the United States citizens benefit the constitution if they are constantly accused of doing something unlawful?

Why is it important to have 435 members in the House of Representatives?

In the next ten years, will the President(s) actually establish, insure, provide, promote, and secure of the citizens for America-in a more different way to what our current President has done for us?

How often is a bill made? Why can't the U.S. Citizens vote/veto a law?

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