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Being the only democratic government with a legislative branch, the United States of America procures numerous criticisms, especially from advocates of a parliamentary procedure. Specifically, issues involving the intention of the founders, the influence of the electoral system, the power of Congressional leaders, the role of political parties, and the impact of the legislative process provide proof to many individuals that Congress in an inefficient, slow moving, and compromise-full governing body.
Originally, the founding fathers did not want one majority to hold all the power in one institution. They knew that a centralized source of power would lead to tyranny, but they also had to deal with the citizens and states. Moreover, the founding fathers had to set up a system that was not oppressive, yet still concerned for the people along with their rights and needs. The forefathers envisioned Congress to be the primary institution, which it became, but loads of problems were occurring within the congressional walls themselves. Issues over 'slavery, the admission of new states, the development of internal improvements, tariffs against foreign goods, the regulation of business' (pg. 286), and the most controversial, the distribution of power in Congress itself. In order to protect the individual, the founders had to allow for decentralized powers that included 'weak leadership, rules allowing for delay and discussion, and many opportunities for committee activity' (pg. 286).
The influence of the electoral system also brings about a conflict within the legislative branch. By the end of the nineteenth century, the Senate was given the nickname 'Millionaire's Club,' due to the rich businessmen and party leaders. It seemed like legislatures were selling seats into the Senate. Finally, the Seventeenth Amendment came about and required the popular election of the Senators. Yet, there is still another problem. There is no term limit in Congress, and an incumbent can continuously run for reelection. To look good, they use their powers to get programs passed and obtain funds, both of which will support their district. Thus, keeping their constituents happy is often the goal of numerous Congressmen. In turn though, they become more apathetic to national issues and are less willing to take risks that could cost them their seat.
Both congressional leaders and political parties hold a great amount of strength within Congress. Without the approval of Congress, legislative requests in the State of the Union are pointless. Without the consent of the Senate, individuals the president appoints to executive agencies and Supreme Court ...
Welfare, it is on just about everyones' mind, whether it is Medicare or the A.F.D.C. Some believe there is too much and others think there is too little. As the years go by, the need for welfare reform increases. President Clinton had pledged in his 1992 campaign to "end welfare as we know it". Only time will tell by what extremes welfare will chan...
Rationing medical care is a very important subject. Many low-and-middle income people lack health insurance and could not afford an expensive treatment if it were needed. The best care is given to those with money enough to pay for it or with good insurance plans paid for by employers. With the costs of health care increasing much faster than the r...
Topic: Should intellectual freedom be restricted? Should laws censor the freedom of thought? I. INTRODUCTION Although there are many counter arguments about the subject of the intellectual freedom, there is a simple truth that can not be forgotten. Every person should have the right to express his/her feelings and thoughts, as intellectual freedom...
During the past decade, our society has become based solely on the ability to move large amounts of information across large distances quickly. Computerization has influenced everyone's life. The natural evolution of computers and this need for ultra-fast communications has caused a global network of interconnceted computers to develop. This glo...
Affirmative action has been the subject of increasing debate and tension in American society. The debate has been more emotional than intellectual, and has generated more tension than shed light on the issue. Participants in the debate have over examined the ethical and moral issues that affirmative action raises while forgetting to examine the sys...
Special interest groups have dominated government since the advent of America's political system. Special interest groups or lobbies are collections of individuals who join together to pursue common interests and to influence the decisions on public policies. Many people view special interest groups as an integral part of the political process, l...
A traditional role of state government has been to ensure statewide standardization of juvenile crime prevention programming so that those at one end of the State can find the same services to meet needs as those at the other end. Even those who are frustrated by the uneven nature of community programs, however, are not suggesting that the State sh...
was defined as the use of intimidation and unfounded accusations in the name of fighting communism. 'It is a lack of intelligent discussion, the presumption of guilt instead of innocence, and the idea of guilt by association.' (http://web.demigod.org/~zak/ documents/high-school/paper-/html) It is important to realize that the idea McCathyistic idea...
With out the death penalty families of murder victims would be delt a double blow. Many families feel that the only justice they could posiblly recive is having the murder put on death row. In the book "Rights of execcution" by louis Mansor there was a case where a girl had both her parents brudally murdered, the book reads "She cries every day,...
Being the only democratic government with a legislative branch, the United States of America procures numerous criticisms, especially from advocates of a parliamentary procedure. Specifically, issues involving the intention of the founders, the influence of the electoral system, the power of Congressional leaders, the role of political parties, and...
At some point the American public must take a stand and decide what they feel are appropriate aspects of the person that will represent them for four years as the President of the United States. But when will this be, and will it even happen at all? I feel that drug use by a presidential candidate at any time in his life is grounds for ineligibil...
With time has come change with change has come an increasing of violent crimes, most people think that the enforcement of is a good way to reduce the crime rate. However, there is not many statistics may show this. That is why should not be enforced. First no one has the right to terminate the life of another person, secondly is final a...
In 1994, for the first time in 40 years, Congress was drastically changed. The Democratic majority was uprooted and new, lively, freshmen were instated with a job to undertake. As part of the Republican=s AContract with America,@ these new Republicans had to revise the current Congressional term limit status. In undertaking this task, these men...
Choice and Trait Theories What I think should be done about or for the children of violent criminals is use some kind of screening before people have children, sterilization, or they should be targeted from an early age by the government to prevent them following their parents into a life of crime. Children would be tracked by the authorities fr...
