Thursday, September 27, 2012

Class Summary 9.27.12

Yesterday, September 26, 2012, we had our first Ed Cafe! There were 5 groups, each assigned one part of the first amendment; freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, right to peacefully assemble, and freedom to petition. The members of each group then dispersed and joined with one student from each of the other groups. Depending on which freedom is being discussed, the person with that right leads an eight minute discussion on that topic. I found it to be a very educational experience as I consider peer discussion of of the most valuable learning tools. Throughout the discussion countries like China, Japan, and North Korea, and ones in the Middle East played a major role as they give us an example of the opposite end of the spectrum as their rights severely differ from ours. We got into many great discussions about how important these freedoms are to us and what life would be like without them, if that would even be possible for your country. Overall it was a very educational experience and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Class Summary 9.25.12

Yesterday, September 24, 2012, we dissected and interpreted the Bill of Rights. This document was constructed in response to the state's demands after the Constitution was sent out for ratification. They were the sole reason states like Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia agreed to the ratification of the document. Its purpose is to protect the people from the power of the national government, and also to limit the power of the new national government. Then in small groups we investigated a hypothetical case regarding citizens rights in order to more familiarize ourselves with the ten amendments and be able to understand our rights more clearly. Today, September 25, 2012, we learned about the first party system of the United States. On one hand, there was the Federalists founded by Alexander Hamilton started in the early 1790's. Members were primarily wealthy businessmen, and wanted a physically and militarily strong nation in order to support their careers, mainly trading. They had no interest in State rights, but focused greatly on a strong, central, national government. Viewed as aristocrats and unsympathetic, by some they got the nickname, "loose constructionists" as they believed in laws not established in the constitution, such as the "elastic clause." On the other side of the isle is the Democratic - Republicans founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison; it was the dominant political party in the country starting in 1800. They firmly believed that the people should have the power through the government which is closest to them, meaning the states. They were known as the "strict constructionists," as they did not believe in anything that was not outlined in the Constitution. It was very fitting as most members were farmers and landowners who had no need for a strong, national government.

Constitution Timeline

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Letter to the Legislature




Rachel Williamson
1 Southern Blvd
Newbury, Massachusetts 01951

September 20, 2012

Congressman John Tierney
Massachusetts Congressman
17 Peabody Square
Peabody, Massachusetts 01960

Dear Congressman Tierney:

I write this letter to you on behave of the citizens of this state and the entire country. Come December, if a decision isn’t made in regards to the budget, hundreds of government-funded programs will go without funding. This upset is commonly referred to as the “Fiscal cliff,” The dilemma the government faces is the choice to either increase taxes and introduce spending cuts that could possibly further effect the economy or cancel some of the scheduled tax increases and spending cuts which could further ass to the county’s massive deficit. The problem arises in government officials’ inability to reach a consensus. Lawmakers have been dealing with this issue since 2009, but do to disagreements between the two parties few resolutions have been made. Republicans stand for spending cuts and avoidance of tax increases while Democrats believe the solution comes from a combination between spending cuts and tax increases. However a decision will be even harder to accomplish during this election season. If congress is unable to reach agreement on this issue the effects on our economy could be drastic. With the Democratic strategy, the national deficit could be reduced by approximately $560 billion; however a higher unemployment rate is predicted to go hand in hand with that.  However, indecision on the issue could bring on similar effects on the economy even before 2013.

I believe the solution to this grave issue can come from looking back to this country’s political history. In the year 1787, the country faced many decisions regarding the type of government that should be established to best serve the country. Representatives were facing the choice between Uni- and Bicameral Legislatures, voting done by the people or the states, and proportional or equal representation. Nevertheless, on July 16th, 1787 delegates agreed to the Gerry Committee report, otherwise known as the Connecticut Compromise. Delegates put their differences in opinions aside and came together in the spirit of compromise to determine the best foundation for this country, and provided us with the basis of your government today. As our great president, Abraham Lincoln once said, “Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.” A successful world is built upon compromise, and it is exactly what our country needs at the moment.

Our government is facing extremely important issues that could determine the path our country is on for years to come. I fully believe that the government, especially congress is fully equipped to make the right decisions. However compromise must be the focus. Without it, nothing will be resolved, and we will find ourselves in an even worse situation a couple years down the road. We will find success in quick action and compromise, and I ask that you can do all that you can to make implement these ideals.

Sincerely,

Rachel Williamson

The Three Branches of Government: Roles of Each


Spreaker: Civic Values

Class Summary 9.20.12

Today, September 20, 2012, the class was divided into Federalists and Anti-federalists. Paring up with someone on the same side of the argument we worked together to determine the leaders of the group, the biggest argument for that side and analyzed quotes from the key players. On the Federalist side; Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay declared the key factors in the ratification of the Constitution consisted of:
1.without a strong national government, anarchy would triumph.
2.only strong national government could protect the new nation from enemies abroad and solve the countries problems.
3.Bill of Rights is unnecessary since 8 states already had such bills
4. United States needs a strong central government to survive.
On the Anti-Federalist side, Patrick Henry and Brutus established the key arguments against the ratification of the Constitution:
1.Constitution lacks a Bill of Rights
2. Strong national government might take away human rights won in the revolution
3.Strong, central government have been debilitating to other countries.

Class Summary 9.18.12



Yesterday, September 17, 2012, we discussed the issue of one president or multiple members of the executive branch. In small groups we read over segments of The Virginia Plan, The New Jersey Plan, and The Hamilton Plan, and created a graphic organizer displaying the basics of each plan. Within the graphic organizer, there was a side by side comparison between the different plans and the conflicting arguments of both sides. Each plan discusses the pros and cons of each side and ended with the compromise that is the basis of the executive branch today; with one president who is elected by the people and serves for a four year term, eligible for re-election and is impeachable by congress. Today, September 18, 2012 we learned about the system of checks and balances’ our current government functions within. Within the 3 branches, each branch has certain responsibilities or requirements that they must report to, or are controlled by another branch. The reason our government is one of the most successful in the world is due to the balance that is maintained by the three branches and the mutual respect and responsibility they each uphold.  

Friday, September 14, 2012

Class Summary 9.14.12

Yesterday, we spent the class period discussing the main issues the founding fathers debated while forming the Constitution. After conversing in small groups about topics such as Uni vs. Bicameral, Voting by People or state, and Proportional vs. Equal representation; we complied our ideas as a class. In conclusion, we advocated for both sides and concurred with an understanding of why our government is the way it is. we have a Bicameral legislature, two houses, which are made up by the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the Senate, originally senators were elected by state legislatures but in 1912, that was changed to election by the people in an equal form regardless of state size, thanks to the New Jersey, or the Small States plans. Representatives from the House of Rep. have always been elected by the people, but are based on population due to the Virginia or Large State Plans. All of this was decided through the Connecticut Compromise, something our current government could use a lot more of these days. Today we took a slight break from history and sorted through the syllabus and assignments as we are all finding this transition to technology to be a bit challenging. However it shows great insight on the process schools would have to go through in order to modernize and integrate technology fully and thoroughly.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Class Summary 9.12.12

Over the past couple days, we have been looking into the start of the government we know today. Yesterday, we started with the Constitutional Congress in May of 1787, where delegates met in Philadelphia with the focus to amend the Articles of Confederation. From there we moved to the Constitution itself, but more importantly the preamble of the significant document. We dissected each phrase and disputed how that ideal is working or not working in society today. This afternoon we analyzed the founding of our government and the debate between election by the people or state legislatures, from the views of the most significant men of the time period. From the facts we know at the moment there will be many struggles ahead in regards to the founding of the perfect government for the United states of America.
Civic Values - Rewindy

http://private.rewindy.com/story/uCZNo94N/view/1

Friday, September 7, 2012

As an archeaologist covered in dust from the ruins of a time long past, they find the site of my burial. Along with my body, lies three artifacts forever symbolizing my being:

Artifact #1: the book, "A Long Way Gone." - As an avid reader this compelling memoir represents my love of literature. Also reflected is my need to obtain knowledge and my feeling of importance towards learning. Even more so is what the book is about and it's correspondence with my dedication to humanitarian work.

  

Artifact #2: a jar of ocean water - From birth I have lived on the beach and fallen asleep to the crash of the waves. Also, I was in the water with my father since I was 6 months old. The jar of ocean water is my LOVE for water and the connection I feel with the sea; almost as if it is apart of me. Also symbolized is my love for nature, out environment and our planet. These two are some of my most prized possesions. 

Artifact #3: my passport - From family vacations all over the central America to the summer of a lifetime I just experienced traveling to the Dominican Republi, Greece, Italy, and France, there is next to nothing that I love more than traveling. It also reflects my adventurous spirit and my desire to connect with people from all over the world. There is so much to see and experience in our world and we must take advantage of all we can see.