Question 1
United States embraces a federal form of governance that consists of state governments, local governments, and the federal government. Under the provisions of federal constitution, state governments have a legal mandate and obligation to make and amend state’s constitution in order to provide quality services to the citizens. Although state’s constitutions differ in many aspects from federal constitutions, most have three arms of government (executive, legislature, and judiciary), and reflect values, beliefs, and political culture of the state. Like other states, the Lowa State has an active and effective constitution that acts as a legal document that governs the state government and its citizens. The Lowa State constitution consists of the preamble and twelve articles, which are based on values, beliefs, and political culture of the people. The constitution integrates individualistic, moralistic, and traditionalistic approaches, which convey values, beliefs, and political culture of the citizens. Individualistic approach ensures that the state government provides and serves its people effectively. Article 1 of the constitution of Lowa State states contain the Bill of Rights clause, which explains roles, and responsibility of the state in providing services to the citizens and protecting human rights (The Constitution of the State of Iowa 1). Moralistic approach articulates that the constitution considers values, norms, moral codes, and principles, which people uphold. For instance, same-sex marriage remains legalized in Lowa State because the citizens accords that value and moral principle. Traditionalistic approach believe that the state government has the responsibility of maintaining social structures, order and, status quo in the society by electing leaders (Bergman 45). Article 1 of the constitution of Lowa State explains that all power remains vested on the people for the common benefit of the state. Based on these assertions, it is clear that the constitution of Lowa State embraces, moralistic, traditionalistic, and individualistic approaches, which reflects values, beliefs, and political culture of the state.
Question 2
Forty-nine states in America have balanced budget requirements, either constitutional or statutory, but they still experience budget deficits (Barrett &Richard 1). Vermont State remains one of the states without a balanced budget requirement, but it has maintained a balanced budget for many years. Based on this assertion, other states should join the federal government and Vermont State approach because it will ensure that states do not experience underfunding and budget deficits at the end of a fiscal year.
Over the years, states have developed their budgets by estimating total cost of expenditures against the money they expect to receive from national governments and external donations. Sometimes the expenditures exceed the money allocated in the budget thus leading to financial constraints and deficits.
In case the state does not have to balance its budget, localities need to refrain from depending on state governments for donations, but rather budget with the available funds. This move would promote accountability, transparency, and efficiency in usage of state moneys.
The federal government should not balance its budget because it would lead to underfunding of state governments thus affecting service delivery to the people.
Question 3
The phrase “Red States” and “Blue States,” came into existence during the 2000 Presidential election. Red states depict Americans affiliated to the Republican Party whereas, Blue States mean Americans affiliated to Democratic Party (Kollman 56). It is not useful to classify states either red or blue in explaining American political system because it fuels enmity and cultural alienation in the country. In most cases, Democrats (Blue States) perceive Republicans (Red states) as enemies because the later opposes radical changes in the country. In essence, Blue States and Red states differ in ideologies thus fuelling enmity and conflict; an aspect that affects national integration and cohesion.
Over the years, the media has used blue and red colors in election maps to illustrate states, which either affiliate to the Democratic Party or Republican Party. However, election maps deceive people because they do not use ratio in representing voters’ participation. In order to address this issue, it is important for the media to ratios in representing dominance of each party. In other words, ratio representation would illustrate the way democrats and republicans voted in each state thus eliminate biasness. The move would also prevent cultural alienation and enmity in the country.
Works Cited
Barrett, Katherine, and Richard Greene. "Do States Really Balance Their Budgets?." GOVERNING: State government news on politics, management & finance. Version 1. GOVERNING: State government news on politics, management & finance, 10 Nov. 2011. Web. 13 Sept. 2013. <http://www.governing.com/columns/smart-mgmt/do-states-really-balance-their-budgets.html>.
Bergman, Marvin. Iowa history reader. University of Iowa Press ed. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 2008. Print.
The Constitution of the State of Iowa. Welcome to Iowa Publications Online - Iowa Publications Online. Version 1. Welcome to Iowa Publications Online - Iowa Publications Online, 2 Jan. 2002. Web. 13 Sept. 2013. <http://publications.iowa.gov/135/1/history/7-7.html>.
Kollman, Ken. The American political system. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2012. Print.
