Question 3: Immigration and Citizenship
Immigration into the United States has spiraled upward during the past several years. This is as a result of the changing world economy. Many US citizens are apprehensive towards extending citizenship to new immigrants. This is as a result of many factors. Some of these factors include; the view held by some, that immigrants add to the tax burden as they are often low-skilled and are unable to pay enough taxes to cover their benefits, some citizens also believe that immigrants take jobs that belong to true Americans, there is also the cultural concern that some Americans have that immigrant may negatively influence the culture of American societies, lastly some immigrants sometimes commit crimes against the state. These factors work to discourage Americans from willingly accepting immigrants as citizens.
The Center for American Progress highlights some reasons why citizenship is important to a democratic society. Based on a study conducted in 2012, they believe that granting citizenship to immigrants will lead to high wages. These high wages will, in turn, offer greater consumer buying power which will boost the growth of the economy. Another point mentioned is that extending citizenship will allow a more integrated American society and will provide equality to all members of society (Wolgin Philip). This helps us to understand the potential benefits to the country if eligible persons receive citizenship. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) clearly outline the rights and responsibilities that citizens hold. These include; the right to vote, the freedom to pursue liberty and life, freedom of speech and worship and so. However, with these rights come responsibilities such as; respecting and obeying the laws of the state, participating in the democratic process, and participating in jury duty when required, just to name a few (USCIS). These rights are some of the many things that noncitizens in the US are unable to partake in, thus making them somewhat second class members of the society.
Question 4: Political Parties and Interest Groups
Over the years, Political Parties and Interest Groups have been used by the people to achieve the goals for the masses. An organization which has members with roughly the same political aims that seek to get their candidate in office and as such gain electoral office is called a Political party (Parties and candidates). Interest groups, on the other hand, refer to an organization with a specified cause that works to influence government officials and public office for their objectives. These definitions help to establish major differences between Political Parties and Interest Groups. One such difference is Political parties work to obtain governmental office; they support their candidates to ensure a win. Interest parties, on the other hand, do not essentially have their member go up for office. They do, however, vote for political parties that they believe support their interests. Another important difference is that Political parties have opinions on a variety of issues and opinions that they promote to get voter favor while interests groups often have a significant issue that they work towards. An example of this is the AARP that works towards health benefits for seniors. To achieve their goals, Interest groups will administer programs that can sway policy makers and voters. This is done by; hired lobbyist, spending funds to influence those already in office or to aid the campaign of candidates who share their views to reach the office, carrying out public campaigns to raise awareness on their issue, disruptions by the way of armed protest to generate publicity and so on.
One issue that is of interest to me is the issue of gun laws within the country. I believe that the laws need to be repealed, and new measures need to be put in place that will make it more difficult for persons to obtain a gun and or a gun license. There are interest groups that work for and against this cause. However, I believe the political parties are in a better position to instill change in this regard as they are in the position of power.
Question 7: How a Bill Becomes Law
A bill is defined as "a form of draft or proposal of statute presented to a legislature but not yet enacted or passed and made into law" (Dictionary.com) in every society a bill must go through various stages before it is enacted into law. In the United States, the first step to this process is proposing the legislation, and this can be done by any member. This proposed bill is presented personally to the clerk of the house or through the hopper (the box where members place bills). The presiding officer will introduce the bill in the House of Representatives during a session assigned where members are allowed to speak on an issue. However, if a Senate objects, this is proposed another day. The second step is called the Committee action. Here the bill is examined carefully for flaws. Government officials may request additional information about the bill, and bills may be assigned to a sub- committee and hearings held and a report done. Amendments and revisions will be made to the bill if drastic changes are made the bill will be discarded and a ‘clean bill' will be assigned a new number. The bill is voted on again to solidify changes (Parties and Candidates).
After this crucial step, the committee members will place a vote to decide if the bill should be recommended to the house of the senate. This is called ‘ordering a bill reported.' The bill is then voted on by the Senate if it is passed it will continue to the next stage and if not it will be discarded. A passed bill moves to the other chamber where it may be changed approved or rejected. At this point, changes can also be made to the proposed bill. If the changes are drastic a conference committee will be formed to unify the changes of both the Senate and the House, and both groups must agree to the changes suggested by the conference committee.
The National Human Genome Society describes the final stage as such; bills approved by the Senate will be passed to the President, who may approve it and sign it immediately, making it law. If however, the president takes no action within ten days while Congress is in session the bill will automatically become a law (National Genome Institute). On the other hand, the president may opt to veto the bill; this means they may refuse to sign off on the bill. This veto can be overthrown of a two-thirds majority of the Senate, and the House approves the bill, in this case, the bill will be enacted into law. If an agreed vote is not reached by the Senate and the House, the bill is discarded. This process shows the checks and balances that bills are put through to ensure that laws that are eventually enacted are not ambiguous and will serve their true purpose. This also supports the principle of separation of power that is seen in democratic societies.
Question 8: The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice of the United States and some Associate Justices which may be decided by Congress. The United States Supreme Court hears three types of cases; cases appealed from lower federal courts, cases appealed from state supreme courts and rarely, they hear cases that have not been previously heard by a lower court, such as between one state's government and another. The court may hear any case that includes federal law, including the constitution. There are many cases that are sent to the Supreme Court, but not all cases are granted certiorari (or "cert").
The "Rule of Four" states that only four of the nine Justices are needed to grant cert in a particular case. Some cases are granted without hearing arguments and others may be granted after the hearing of arguments. The Supreme Court will decide on cert-worthy cases if; there is a conflict within the lower courts about an issue, if the case is seen as important it may attract the attention of the Supreme Court, importance may refer to the breadth of the case as it relates to a potential widespread effect that the ruling may have, Legal Errors that may be considered Egregious made in the Lower Courts that may indicate an abuse of justice or law may be deemed worthy of the Supreme Court and finally a Justice may take be likely to take o a case that is of personal interest to him.
A case that is granted cert, in most instances all judges will hear the case with the exception of extenuating circumstances or a judge asks to be excused due of conflict of interest. No witnesses are heard, and evidence is no provided. Both sides will present oral arguments within thirty minutes which will include questions from the justices. At the end of this session the Justices will adjourn to privately make a decision as it relates to the case (Leadership Conference). In some instances after hearing the case the Justices may decide that the case was as improvidently granted, meaning that the case should not have received cert and as such the case may be thrown out or dismissed. In other instances where not all nine Justices participate in a case, a tie is possible. If this happens, they decision of the lower court may be held. In other cases, the court will do an announcement of opinions where the decisions of the court are formally announced and are eventually published in the United States Report. This process used by the Supreme Court is done in a bid to ensure fairness and justice.
Works Cited
"Bill." Dictionary.com. Oxford Dictionaries, 2016 Web. June.16. 2016
"Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities" US Citizenship and Immigration Services.2016. Web. 15 June 2016
"Government 101: How a Bill Becomes Law." Vote smart.org 1992-2016. Web. 16 June 2016
"How a Bill Becomes Law” National Human Genome Research Institute.12 March 2012. Web. 16 June 2016
"Types of Cases Heard" The Leadership Conference. Civil Rights.org.2016. Web. 16 June
"Parties and Candidates." Ace Project.org 2nd Eddition.2012.1998-2016. Web. 15 June 2016
Wolgin, Phillip. Center for American Progress.2016. Web.15 June 2016
