Discussion one
The issue of federal governance versus the states government has been fundamental in the US politics. The federal government has continuously denied states government powers. Instead, it has remained dominant over them barring states from developing state rules that would be used to oversee activities in the respective states. There are certain issues that have deemed as national issues and need federal intervention but states want to handle them as state issues in a manner that they do not involve the national government (Benedict, 2006).
In the history of the United States, there has always been the issue of division of powers. Structures have continuously been changed with the aim of ensuring that states get equal powers before the constitution as it is the case for the national government (Benedict, 2006). However, it has always been argued that allowing states to have independent constitutions will be an avenue for failure of the national system.
One of the most controversial issues in the development of rules in the United States is the issue of slavery. The nation is renowned as a destiny for slave in the 19th century. The national government was not willing to abolish policies that allowed slavery in the country. However, various states have realized that slavery is an activity against humanity. Therefore, they have sought to abolish all principles that make slavery stand up to date. For example, in California slavery has been a main topic. There are always arguments on why slavery should not continue in the state. In relation to this the state government has passed exclusive rules on what may follow on an individual who practices slavery in California (Benedict, 2006).Therefore, at some point the federal government is being outdone by state governments with time.
- The Kentucky resolution – Alien and sedition acts
- Abraham Lincoln: Inaugural address, March 4, 1861
- Declaration of the immediate causes which induce and justify the secession of South Carolina from the federal union
Discussion two
The United States is one of the countries that have had a large number of presidents in its history. The different presidents that the nation has had have been unique in various ways. They have remained extremely critical figures in the politics of the United States. This has been mainly following their role in the government of the United States (Benedict, 2006). Being the individual holding the highest office in the land, the opinion of the president has remained irrevocable.
The president is entrusted all fundamental roles in the United States and there is no point at which any decision that he made was referred to as wrong. The president has been granted a lot of powers by the constitution such that no other person in the country would air an opinion that would be worth to listen or put up with.
Despite the exclusive power the president of the United States has held for an extremely long time, there have been advances where the powers of the president have continued diminishing. This is observable between the year 1789 and 1865. For example, during the era of George Washington the president was observed as a sacred being whose final word would not be revoked. However, Abraham Lincoln changed the situation where he allowed democracy and claimed that even the minority in the society should have their voices heard by the national government (Benedict, 2006). People have been granted a chance to correct the government by issuing responsible arguments and contributions to the government of the United States.
Referred to videos:
The presidents: 1789-1825The presidents: 1849-1865
Work Cited
Benedict, Michael Les. The blessings of liberty: a concise history of the Constitution of the United States. Lexington, Mass.: D.C. Heath and Co., 2006. Print.
