Governmental Issues.

When learning about government, it is always important to know many concepts relating to it. American constitutional government has many functions and definitions. The definition of the consent of the governed is that the people are the source of any and all governmental power. Government isn’t all powerful and can only do things that the people have given it the power to do in limited government. The rule of law is that the government is bound under law and those who are governed. The people rule in a democracy. Also, representative government is about when the people elect public office holders to make laws and conduct government on the people’s behalf. The American Constitution didn’t exist in a vacuum. Many laws existed during the centuries before this time of 2019. There are similarities and differences between many governmental documents. The charters of the Virginia Company of London guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists. The Virginia Declaration of Rights was a model for the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States of America. The Declaration of Independence existed in 1776. It wasn’t part of the United States Constitution. It was the colonists showing grievances against the king of Great Britain. It declared the colonies independence from Great Britain. It affirmed that there are certain unalienable rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". It mentioned that all people are equal under the law, but as we know, the writers of that document didn’t practice what they preached. The Articles of Confederation formed the first form of national government in America.

It had major powers for individual states. It had a weak central government. The federal government couldn’t tax or enforce laws. This caused the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America. The Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom stated that the freedom of religious beliefs and opinion ought to exist. The Constitution of the United States of America including the Bill of Rights was created. It formed the structure of the United States government. It guaranteed equality under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected. It affirmed the individual worth and dignity of all people. It protected the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. The problem was that the 3/5s Compromise was in the Constitution and slavery existed back then. The Preamble of the Constitution set out the goals and purposes of the government. In other words, the Preamble outlined why the Constitution was written in America. The Preamble cited “We the People” saying that the power of government comes from the people. The Preamble said that the United States government was created to form a more perfect union, to establish justice, to ensure domestic tranquility to provide for the common defense, to promote the general welfare, and to secure the blessings of liberty. 


The Constitution of America can be amended in many ways. The amendment process is complex. There are over 25 amendments to the United States Constitution. The Amendment process can exist by Congress or convention first by proposal. Then, it is ratification by a majority of U.S. states. In the state of Virginia, state amendments are done by proposal (achieved by the General Assembly or convention) and then it is ratified by the voters of Virginia. That is why people vote on state amendment proposals all of the time. There are many rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Any citizen is a person with rights and duties under the government, who, by birth or choice, owes allegiance to that government. The Fourteenth Amendment said that citizenship is the following designation: “All person born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the state wherein they reside.” People can achieve citizenship in America by birth or by naturalization. Immigration and naturalization since the twentieth century has contributed to a diverse American society. In the naturalization process, a person must demonstrate knowledge of American history and principles. They must read, speak, and write words in ordinary usage in the English language. We have fundamental rights and liberties here. The First Amendment mentioned the freedom of religion. That means that the government can’t make an official religion or endorse an official religion. The government can’t unduly interfere with the free exercise of religion too. The First Amendment has the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the right to assembly, and the right to petition. The Fourteenth Amendment extends due process protection to the actions of the states. Citizens have the duties to obey laws, pay taxes, voluntarily serve in the armed forces, and serve on a jury or as a witness in court when summoned. I have served jury duty before. Citizens have many responsibilities. They can register and vote. They can hold elective office. They can communicate with government officials to influence government actions. They can serve on government positions. They can be a part of political campaigns. They can be informed on current issues and respect others’ right to an equal voice in government. Citizens can help society by tutoring, volunteering, expressing concerns about issues (like the environment, education, public health and safety, etc.), and join democratic institutions. Great citizens confront injustice since the government will not be completely perfect. Also, great citizens will help other people and express courtesy. There must be respect for the law, but the law must respect people for an unjust law is no law at all. 

Political parties are involved in the government and can allow citizens to participate in the political process. Political parties recruit and nominate candidates. They can educate the electorate about campaign issues. They help candidates win elections and they monitor the actions of officeholders. There are the two major parties of the Democrats and Republicans along with other parties. The 2 major parties have more economic and political power in America. They appear more to the center than third parties. Third parties can introduce new ideas and press specific issues. Some have personalities. Voters vote based on research, separating fact from opinion, and finding bias. Some voters can reject propaganda. The mass media identify candidates, discuss issues, and use op-eds or editorials to talk about issues. Many broadcasts share different candidates’ messages. Running for office is very expensive. Candidates now must have extensive fund raising actions. Wealthy candidates have an advantage in national elections and even in state elections. The PACs or political action committees help to fund campaigns. Special interest groups aid candidates as well. Campaign finance reform tried to limit rising campaign costs. There are now limited on how much individuals can contribute to political candidates and campaigns. Voting is a responsibility of citizenship. Voter registration is required before a citizen can vote. Voting in Virginia means that this person must be a citizen of America, a resident of a Virginia location and precinct, and at least 18 years old by the day of the general election. People can register to vote online, at the Division of Motor Vehicles, by in mail application. Voter registration in Virginia closes 22 days before elections. Factors can precinct voting by education, age, and income. Some citizens don’t vote because of lack of interest and failure to register. Voter participation is usually higher in Presidential elections than in state and local election. Every vote matters. 

The Electoral College process is used to select the President and Vice President of the United States. The Electoral College deals with a state of electors being selected for each state by popular vote. Most states have a winner take all system. The electors meet to vote for the President and Vice President. This winner take all system has some targeting densely populated states for campaigning. Although, candidates must pay attention to less populated states whose electoral votes may make the difference in tight elections. The numbers of electors in each state is based on the size of the state’s Congressional representation, which is based on the state’s population. The requirement for a majority vote to win in the Electoral College favors a two-party system. That is why some people want the Electoral College abolished because it denies the majority vote deciding who is the President of America. Students can work in the state, local, and national elections in many ways. They can participate in campaigns and work in classroom plus online projects. The Constitution of the United States defines the structure and powers of the national government. Governmental power is divided among the national government in Washington, D.C. and the governments of the 50 states. Legislative, executive, and judicial powers of the national government are divided into three, independent (plus distinct) branches of government. The legislative branch makes the laws of the nation. It is made up of Congress, a bicameral legislature made up of the House of Representatives (435 members are in the House based upon the populations of the states) and the Senate (it has 100 members or 2 per state).  The legislative approves the annual budget. They can confirm Presidential appointments, raise revenues via taxes plus other levies, regulates interstate and foreign trade, and declare war. The executive branch is headed by the President of the United States of the chief executive officer of the nation. The executive branch executes the laws of the land, prepares the annual budget for Congressional action, and appoints cabinet officers, ambassadors, and federal judges. It administers the federal bureaucracy. The judicial branch interprets laws. They are made up of the federal courts including the Supreme Court being the highest court in the land. The Supreme Court exercises the power of judicial review. The federal courts try cases involving federal law and questions involving the interpretation of the Constitution of the United States. 



By Timothy