Arguing a case concerning federalism before the Supreme Court of the United States of America
There are 5 discussion questions each question only requires 75-150 words each
Question 1
For your initial post this week imagine that you are a lawyer arguing a case concerning federalism before the Supreme Court of the United States of America. This case has to do whether the power to create policy on a particular issue should be in the hands of the Federal Government, left to the States, or left in the hands of individual citizens.
Then, you must support your argument to the Supreme Court by finding and using an applicable part of the United States Constitution.
Select one of the following starters to start your argument (only do one):
May it please the court, the federal government, not the states has the power to legalize marijuana because …
May it please the court, the states, not the federal government, has the power to legalize marijuana because …
May it please the court, neither the states nor federal government has the power to legalize marijuana because …
May it please the court, the federal government, not the states, has the power to pass gun control because …
May it please the court, the states, not the federal government, has the power to pass gun control because …
May it please the court, neither the states nor federal government has the power to pass gun control because …
May it please the court, the federal government, not the states, has the power to pass education policy because …
May it please the court, the states, not the federal government, has the power to pass education policy because …
May it please the court, neither the states nor federal government has the power to pass education policy because …
May it please the court, the federal government, not the states, has the power to recognize or even restrict same sex marriages because …
May it please the court, the states, not the federal government, has the power to recognize or even restrict same sex marriages because …
May it please the court, neither the states nor federal government has the power to recognize or even restrict same sex marriages because …
Question 2
In your initial discussion post this week present an argument that proposes one change to our electoral system. (Please note, it will not be acceptable to say you do not think any change should be made.)
Several possible changes to could be:
Eliminating the Electoral College
Instituting required Voter ID
Allowing felons to vote.
Mandatory voting.
Instituting an Election Day Holiday in which all Americans do not have to vote.
You may also get creative and come up with your own original change!
Just be sure to go beyond just stating what change you want to make, but present an argument for why we should make that change and how that change would improve our electoral system.
In your argument, do not use words like “fair” or “good” or “better” or “equal” – how do you measure what is or is not “fair”? What if you and I have different definitions of what is or is not fair (these are not universal terms)?
Question 3
In your discussion this week you have to write a short newscast. Select three (and only three) current news stories. Select the three stories that you think are the most important to our nation and society.
Write an original headline for each story.
Write no more than three sentences summarizing each story.
Include the full html web address for each story.
It is very important to only write on three stories and keep your summaries under three sentences as this simulates how challenging it is to explain very complicated new stories in very restricted time and keeping the attention of viewers.
Your initial post will look something like this:
Catchy Headline #1
Summary sentence 1. This is the second sentence. And finally a third sentence.
Catchy Headline #2
Summary sentence 1. This is the second sentence. And finally a third sentence.
Catchy Headline #3
Summary sentence 1. This is the second sentence. And finally a third sentence.
Question 4
Using what you have learned this week and in the course so far, write a letter to either your Representative, Senator, or one of your State Legislators concerning a specific public policy.
State your issue position clearly in this letter and then present an argument for why that elected official should support your position on that issue.
Post your letter and who you would send it to in the discussion board.
For your follow up posts, critique the arguments of your peers’ letters. How might they strengthen their argument?
Though not required, feel free to actually send these letters to your representatives and share what that experience was like. Did you get any response? What was that response? Was it only a form letter?
Question 5
After reviewing what you have learned in this course, especially the text of the United States Constitution, propose to the class an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Be sure to make an argument supporting your proposed amendment. Why should this change be made? How will it benefit the lives of Americans across the country? Why does this issue need a Constitutional Amendment and not just a state or federal law change?
For your follow up posts critique the argument of a peer’s proposed amendment or respond to the questions from your peers regarding your proposed amendment.
Please Note: You may not just copy and paste the text of your assignment for your initial discussion post. Your initial discussion post should be made prior to writing your paper and just be a brief paragraph or two presenting your proposed change. You may not submit their assignment text as their discussion post. You may summarize your text, similar to writing an abstract in an academic paper. Feel free to incorporate your peers follow up posts and feedback into your paper as their ideas and questions may help you consider new ideas while you write your paper.
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