Blog 5B

07/29/23

Domestic policies are guidelines that address issues within the country. It focuses on various aspects, such as environmental, social, and economic, aiming to improve the living condition of citizens. Public policy looks at the larger picture, digging deeper to make sure all parties are working together to produce policies that affect citizens and their community. Public policy is designed for an extended period, and domestic policy does not occur by accident. While politicians, courts, and the media give us an idea of a component part of their system, it is different for public policy which deals with issues concerning a large segment of society or covers issues that indirectly affect the community as a whole.

For example, during the pandemic, a lot of people lost their jobs, unable to pay their rent and mortgages. The unemployment system was overloaded with applications. The government decided to provide some relief to the people by giving stimulus checks, offering daily meals, delivery of essential groceries, and finally agreed to a six hundred dollars unemployment weekly allowance, regardless of their previous pay. Except the outcome the government expected backfired, many people decided not to return to work, and save their unemployment income instead of wasting it, so the money did not go back into the economy as expected to keep the economy from crashing.

Regarding the several types of domestic policy, the one I find interesting is the “re-distributive policy.” That policy is like a Robin hood effect, the idea is to transfer income and wealth from one group to another. This redistributed resource can be used to facilitate students with funds for their education such as grants and loans. Improve the healthcare system, more and provide more insurance coverage for low income workers. Cost is concentrated and so are the benefits. It will be suitable for another group to bear and enjoy these benefits. To say the least, domestic policy strengthens the country’s infrastructure, addresses systemic inequality, safeguards the environment, and improves the overall quality of life for citizens.

Voting and Elections

Week 5A

07/27/23

Voting and elections are an important activity every citizen should take part in because it promotes democracy and gives citizens an opportunity to participate in their government. Voter education increases civic engagement, and their participation is critical for a vibrant democratic country. Voting is also a way for citizens to express their preferences and opinions. Voting and elections have come a long way, for example, the voter registration process, and being able to vote has been difficult more so, for African Americans. Especially after the civil war, “southern states enacted literacy tests, grandfather clauses, and other requirements intended to disenfranchise Black voters in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.” Knowing perfectly, most Black people could not read. The Voting Rights Act (VRA) in 1965, protected the rights of minority voters by prohibiting state laws that denied voting rights based on race.

 Nowadays voting has gotten easier due to technology, paper mailing, and transportation to voting sites. The United States electoral and voter system follows a strict structure to prevent voting fraud and increase the system security. In most states traditional paper registration is still preferred. My favorite of all the elections is the presidential election because there are only two major parties. The candidates visit major states to gain more voters and have debates that allow the voters to see their candidates answering questions. I thought the president and vice president were elected by popular vote, turns out it is through the Electoral College that determines the winner. Which is different in my country the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. `
Voting is a fundamental right as the nation continues to evolve and more citizens are expressing their right to vote. Actively shaping the country by choosing who they want their representative to be. For example, more LGBTQ people are being elected to governmental posts.

Judicial Branch

Week 4B

07/25/23

The Judicial Branch is the third branch of the three Branches of the Constitution established by the US Constitution Framers. Its primary function is to understand, interpret and put the law in action Consistent with the Constitution’s rules.  The judiciary system is a branch where individuals have the best chance to be heard. The Branch consists of the Federal court and states court. They are part of the system of checks and balances, they protect the quality of the US Constitution from other branches, and they also protect individual rights from societal and governmental oppression. The judicial branch’s most crucial role is to maintain society’s balance on democracy, people have the right to exercise their freedom, but as soon as one steps the boundaries they are met with the full extent of the law.

Since the establishment of the Supreme Court, its structure and power have changed drastically, nowadays the Supreme Court is the highest and most important court in the US. This evolution also shows that the principle of the Fourteenth Amendment is not as perfect as one may think, changing times, technology, protest, and citizens asking one their fundamental right to be protected with absolute fairness. That makes it crucial for the courts to find balance in order to fully serve the people and also show restraint when petitions are absurd and the consequences are harmful to the Majority of the population.

To continue, the Court and Federalism dispute between criminal and civil. For example; the legalization of marijuana, the legalization varies among the fifty states, most of them for recreational use and then medicinal. The question I always ask is what is going to happen with those incarcerated for the possession or distribution of Marijuana. Will they be released, pardoned, or retrial? I don’t think it’s fair for them to sit in jail, meanwhile, others can do the same crime without any repercussions even though it’s a different era. For one thing, the judicial system is the least corrupt branch of the government, as there is no distribution of revenue involved—the most significant part to me as a democratic country. When someone commits a crime no matter the extent of the crime they have the right to an attorney, and a fair trial if they can’t afford it, one will be appointed to them which is the opposite in other countries.

Melissa Joseph

Midterm self-assessment

This class deepens my knowledge in US politics, the constitution structure is fascinating, complex, and quite different from other countries. Regarding my goal set for the semester, I am doing my best, with blogging and responding to other classmates. I am behind on the assignments but have a few of them ready that I will post soon. I think I did well on the midterm exam. I can say I am proud of myself so far for not dropping the class and improving my writing on each blog. Finish the class with no less than a B+ is my goal. 

Melissa Joseph

Blog 4A

Executive Branch

07/21/2023

            The executive branch is part of the three branches of the Constitution, Legislative, and judicial. The executive branch is the most exposed branch of the Constitution and consists of the president and vice president. Its responsibility is to administer laws, control foreign affairs, and work with the bicameral system to run the country for the better. Most people focus on the president and the vice president to provide details when a situation threatens the nation and hold them accountable for not doing enough to prevent it from happening.

Article II of the Constitution outlines the requirements to become president of the US and the term of office. Upon being elected the President is granted power, such as judicial power including nominating federal judges, including the Supreme Court Justice subject to Congress approval, and involvement in diplomatic affairs, foreign politics, and proposing laws. To my surprise, I was not aware that the Constitution allowed the Electoral College where Congress selects the president and its term. I trust the election system we have now is less biased, for it gives the people a sense of freedom and participation in choosing their president.

  The chapter demonstrates the structure of the executive branch and its progress since it was first established. Electing the President; the general attention and the transfer of power caught my attention. The transition and appointment are similar to my country Haiti. The upcoming and going administration work, the assignment of keys, inauguration day, and the transition always go seamlessly. However, issues always surface when a president is trying to assign officials to serve on his cabinet. They often choose someone who is not qualified for the position or someone they had promised to hire in return for their help during the election. The downside of those decisions always results in a government full of mediocrity. These unqualified people decrease the growth and progress of the country as they cannot meet the requirement, or get control of foreign affairs to bring development, commerce, and tourism. Prominent members in direct contact with the president such as the minister of defense, justice, education, treasury, and agriculture are the ones failing the people. This shows the problem came from the head of the nation “the president.” With his executive power, must make sure that the laws are conducted. Any Executive branch cannot thrive if the other houses are not supporting the presidential cabinet therefore, domestic concerns are hardly met for there is agreement. A hostile environment makes it difficult to embrace proposals or follow a previous plan which creates division and instability. That is the reason why underdeveloped countries’ development system worsens.

Melissa Joseph

Week 3B

Blog 8

Referring to my first blog on the legislative branch the delegates were able to come with an agreement the bicameral system was established at the Constitutional Convention and is still followed today. The system overwhelmingly consisted of white men of European background which created a substantive issue for racial representation, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. Nowadays due to social media and changes in society’s norms, most people of distinct categories want to be represented by someone who shares their needs and understands their ideology and the feeling of being left out and underrepresented. The constitution is based on democracy; however, this democracy is not often the case for African Americans, LGBTQ people, Indians, Latinos, and Asians

The aspects of descriptive representation in Congress drastically changed as voting get easier the people got to choose who they want to represent them, and civil rights activists are actively working to make change in the system. Although the issue of representation is still ongoing into the twenty-eight century the number of African Americans and minority groups is highly insignificant in number and excluded by the states. With congress responsible for passing bills, regulating, and providing relief for the people. If this group of people is neglected and misrepresented their conditions will not improve. They will never improve and be able to leave public housing, get a good education, and healthcare will be more difficult to access because they do not have a voice where it matters. Despite everything continuous efforts has been made to change descriptive representation in Congress in recent decades.

Nevertheless, there will always be an ongoing issue, especially between these two parties Democrats and Republicans because they often have different perspectives on various issues. As Democrats tend to offer more sympathy and support toward healthcare, inequality, and immigration. They often do everything in their power to pass a bill that will benefit the people. Meanwhile, Republicans focus more on the budget keeping their privilege and purpose bills that cause national uproar such as the pro-life stances on abortion.

Melissa Joseph

Week 3A

Blog 7

The legislative branch of the government is a particularly important part of the constitution as the framers meant. It represents change and the ending of tyranny done by kings also prevents history from repeating itself by not placing all the power in the hands of one person. The distribution of power by creating a congress that would be the backbone of the New Republic was a thoughtful decision. By removing absolute power from the president, they create a stronger national government that will allow every state to have its representatives and the opportunity to get represented fairly. The responsibility of Congress is to carefully find great ground for decision-making while considering their decision and action would affect the population, and the government.

 The Congress consists of two houses: the House of Representatives, and the Senate. Article I section 8 of the Constitution grants several key powers to Congress. Relating to past events that has gotten worldwide attention, I got interested in understanding what Congress was and its importance during ex-president Donald Trump Impeachment trial, as we all know he was impeached in January 2021. The thrilling and foreign ideas to me is I did not know that an ex-president can get serve, and held accountable for obstructing congress, abuse of power and prosecuted for crimes committed during his candidacy is fascinating. In my country, things like that will never happen, at least not in my lifetime. Their decision to call an ex-president in court and have others testify to their activities shows that the institution can bring justice and fairness even if the person in question is someone influential and known.

Going further in the chapter the Articles Of confederation was on the verge of failure, and the open revolt of the Shay rebellion against the state threatened the new republic. The delegate’s meeting caught my attention because they wanted an equal number of representatives, large states wanted more delegates, while small states wanted equal power. The delegates had the courage to argue and fight for equality, I remember in Chapter 2 government officials agreed that previously enslaved people should be represented by the three-fifth agreement. This equality was not an option for African Americans, it shows once again how the constitution privileged a certain group of people. They limited the development and growth of enslaved people by forgetting they were enslaved and mistreated. Giving them a voice shows sympathy but when I come to them inequality is non-negotiable.

Melissa Joseph

Week 2B Civil Rights

Blog 6

            Civil rights are defined as the fundamental rights of every citizen, and the concept that all individuals should be equal and treated equally under the law regardless of ethnicity, religion, and background. Anyone who studies history or has read a book about it knows that is not often the case, for centuries a particular group of people has been mistreated, exploited, and denied their basic rights as human beings. The continuing struggle for civil rights is actively present but tremendous progress was made by courageous leaders who fought for change, which awakened social movements activist that shape society as we know it today. However, that does not mean discrimination, prejudice, inequality, and hideous treatment are over specially for African Americans.

Since the abolition of slavery, African Americans have been fighting for their civil rights and to be equally represented under the law. The Thirteen Amendment freed enslaved people, being free did not guarantee them equal rights or make it easier for them to survive. Nonetheless, it was more difficult for there were laws created to keep them under, laws such as Black Codes, Jim Crow, and segregation, these laws were created solely to keep Black people from progressing. Formerly enslaved people did not have the right to vote, their job description was to be serfs and servants, and they were not allowed to get an education. White southerners took it upon themselves to terrorize African American or, anyone who tried to improve their lives. In addition, Congress passed the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments designed to ensure that the state would respect the civil liberties of freed people, to secure their rights civil rights African American activists asked for equality and protection under the law by protesting.

Recent events have shown how inequality is still very much alive in our society. For example, the George Floyd murder caused a national uproar in the middle of the pandemic, which gave life to the Black Lives Matter movement. Police attacks on peaceful protesters demonstrate their continuing effort to deny people of their civil rights. Even though the First Amendment protects the right to freedom of speech and expression police brutality often contradicts this part of the constitution. This illustrates the US Constitution’s failure to support African Americans, and it is a reminder to we often took the freedom that we have now for granted while the path to accomplish it was brutal and dark.

Civil Liberties

Week 2A

Blog 1

Civil liberties refer to the protection individuals have against government interference in their life and personal choices such as freedom of speech and expression. Civil liberties become part of the constitution to expend freedom and the idea of free will without fearing government repercussions even if they deemed the decision unreasonable. When I visit foreign countries when I ask individuals what they love about the United States, they always reply” The freedom.” Most people talk about freedom as their right as written in the first amendment from the Bill of Rights. Even though the Constitution promotes civil liberty, human rights, and freedom of speech it does not give a free pass on everything, if there is no major disturbance or endangering someone else’s life the government cannot get involved.

Reading this chapter my opinion on the free exercise of religion is quite strong, civil liberty allows individuals to create their religion and recruit people even if politicians find it misguided and blasphemous which is a great exercise of freedom. The downside is many people use this as an opportunity to exploit the law by scheming and brainwashing other individuals to commit crimes. Throughout history, immense harm has been done in the name of religion, cults, and satanic practices led by disturbing individuals. for example, the story of Jim Jones who opened his church in Indianapolis at the end became a tragedy for the nation on November 18th, 1978.( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jones.) I believe this happened due to much civil liberty, even if the government suspects wrongdoing, a warrant is often needed to enter the premises.

Civil liberty went even further and protected individual rights to get fair treatment and justice even if they committed a crime by prohibiting the bill of attendees in section 9 of the Constitution. This decision prevents Congress from simply punishing people who are contradictory to their system or suspected of a crime. The federalists believed the bill was right, it was unnecessary, it was necessary, and it provided many benefits that regulate society. At the same time, it also causes many issues as we know. The second amendment gives individuals the right to bear firearms. Recent events show the consequences of this freedom due to mass shootings that happened by individuals carrying firearms. However civil liberty is highly significant for it guarantees basic human rights, protection, individual autonomy, and liberty by ensuring a fair and a just democratic society.

Melissa Joseph

Week 1B

Chapter 3 Federalism

Blog4

This week’s reading explains how federalism plays a huge role in controlling the country’s governmental structure. Federalism is the division of power between the national government and states governments with relative autonomy to govern on behalf of the people who elected them. The national government handles matter to protect the country from foreign treat and promotes national economic prosperity. While the states focus more on resolving local and more common issues. To relate to this chapter on federalism, in my country, Haiti the government is not based on federalism, moreover, the unitary system where the president is the head of state, and the prime minister is the head of the government. There are some similarities, as the United States they have the tree branch mechanism system such as. legislature, executive, and judiciary. On the contrary, are only laws written on paper for they are not being used on behalf of the people. The idea of unification for the prosperity of the people is long overdue.

Federalism balances the power between the states and national government to create a structure to meet the people’s needs from the highest to the lowest with a degree of autonomy. A constitution based on federalism can benefit its citizens, for it will be easier to manage and decentralized the power so it is not concentrated in one area. Federalism also provides grounds for great decision-making that addresses specific needs and preferences in different areas. Federalism can and would work in any country if there is cooperation and power distribution according to the law to resolve conflicts and coordinate policies for their citizens. In my country, the government does the opposite, the common issues are dismissed, buried, and the national government is not concerned enough to investigate, and ask for a report to keep track of the government’s inefficacy and responsibility toward the people.

The drawback on federalism, I can relate the drawbacks as someone who is living in New York. The economy and tax regulations vary from state to state everyone is aware that New York city is an expensive state, in this period of recession needs for daily use are more expensive while the minimum wage stays the same. Making it difficult for citizens in every aspect such as housing, healthcare, school employment. I am optimistically hoping the New York state federal system takes action to bring relief to its citizens during these challenging times.