Reference no: EM133205639 , Length: 750 Words
Discussion
Question 1. Federalism results from the interaction between the different layers of government. Many issues are discussed not in terms of right and wrong, but who is responsible for addressing the issue. Immigration has long been a federal issue. However, in 2010, the state of Arizona passed a controversial bill (Senate Bill 1070) that essentially gave power to the state to implement immigration law. Several sections of this bill were deemed unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court. This situation is a prime example of the conflict federalism can create. Please provide your opinion on immigration within the context of federalism.
Question 2. In 1895, the Supreme Court decided the case Pollock v. Farmers Loan & Trust Co. et al. In this case, they decided that Congress could not impose an income tax because it was barred by the Constitution in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1.
On July 2, 1909, Congress passed an Amendment to the Constitution that stated, "The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration."
Is income tax a good thing? Should our government be able to tax the income of individuals? If so, what should that tax look like?
Question 3. Should we keep the electoral college or go to straight popular vote? Why?
Essay assignment
Write an essay of in which you:
1. Describe the structure and function of the Electoral College.
How and when was it created in the United States?
Why was it created, and by whom?
2. Compare the Electoral College to a popular vote approach for elections.
How does the Electoral College system operate/function?
What are consequences of using an Electoral College system versus a popular vote? Use the 2000 and 2016 presidential elections as examples.
3. Assess the value of an individual citizen's vote under the Electoral College system.
Why does the United States still use the Electoral College for presidential elections today?