American Government
Q2 Benchmark
Judicial Branch:
Pros:
1) Brown Vs. Board:
"Separate Is Not Equal - Brown v. Board of Education." Separate Is Not Equal. National Museum of American History. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. <http://americanhistory.si.edu/brown/>.
A decision made by the Supreme Court in 1954 declaring that separating black and white students in public schools is unconstitutional. This decision marked a turning point in race relations in the United States. Under Chief Justice Warren, the Supreme Court agreed to overturn Plessy vs. Ferguson. Because of this decision, I have had the opportunity to learn in a diverse environment, explore cultures outside of my own and ultimately expand my knowledge. My friends would most likely be limited and I’d be i ignorant of many things that this world offers.
2) Roe Vs. Wade:
Lewis, Jone Johnson. "Roe v. Wade - Overview." Women's History - Comprehensive Women's History Research Guide. About.com. Web. 18 Jan. 2011.<http://womenshistory.about.com/od/abortionuslegal/p/roe_v_wade.htm>.
A decision made by the US Supreme Court allowing that women may have abortions. The abortion must be performed during the first trimester or up until the second trimester to protect the health of the mother or baby. As a woman this decision has impacted my life deeply. Even more, it gives women control of their life and body. If one is not prepared to be a mother or is in any situation, such as rape, where pregnancy is not the right thing to do, having a choice can make a positive impact.
Cons:
1) Plessy vs. Ferguson:
"Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896)." The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. Jim Crow Stories. PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_plessy.html>.
A US Supreme Court decision made in 1896 claimed that “separate” facilities for blacks and whites were constitutional as long as they were “equal.” If this decision were still in act, I would literally be separated from black people on my way to school on the train everyday. I would not use the same bathrooms as black people, nor would I be in the same school as black people. Although Brown Vs. Board repealed this decision; it was a horrifying part of America’s history.
2) New Jersey Vs. T.L.O:
"New Jersey v. T.L.O." LII | Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School. 28 Mar. 1984. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. <http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0469_0325_ZS.html>.
Two high school girls were caught smoking in the bathroom, which was a non-smoking area. When confronted by the principal, T.L.O denied ever smoking but her friend admitted to smoking. T.L.O was then sent to the vice-principal who proceeded to search her purse to find paraphernalia, weed, money and names of clients. Although T.L.O should not have been carrying such items, the vice-principal violated her 4th amendment right that protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Whether adult or child, the 4th amendment should be upheld in any environment, even if it is in school.
Executive Branch:
Pros:
1) Affirmative Action:
Sykes, Marquita. "The Origins of Affirmative Action." National Organization for Women (NOW). Web. 18 Jan. 2011. <http://www.now.org/nnt/08-95/affirmhs.html>.
Was an answer to racial inequality. President Kennedy first introduced the term “affirmative action” in 1961 to compensate for discrimination in the past. President Johnson then put it in place. Although I normally do not directly benefit from this, I do benefit indirectly. As a member of the white community, I cannot be discouraged because I know members of other racial communities are being compensated.
2) Working Papers:
"Work Force Development." DHS Support Centers. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. <http://dhs.phila.gov/intranet/scintrahome_pub.nsf/Content/Workforce Development - Additional Info - Permit Info>.
Are required for minors to get a job in certain states. The information provided by these papers includes employer, school, parent or guardian and a physician’s signature. Without working papers, child labor laws could easily be broken and health could easily be tainted. My job is a full time student but if I do have the chance to work, I should not be taken advantage of. Having legal document providing the necessary information can prevent many harmful factors that could potentially come with work.
Cons:
1) Curfew Law:
"Curfew : Safety & Crime Prevention." Middletown Township, PA. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. <http://www.middletowntwpbucks.org/departments/police/safety/curfew.aspx>.
According to Pennsylvania curfew laws, those who are under the age of 18 are restricted of being in public during certain hours of the day. Since I am under the age of 18, on week days I am by law, I am suppose to between 10:30 pm and 6 am and weekends between midnight and 6 am. Considering most of my weekend activities exceed the legal curfew, this does not contribute to positively to my life. It is probably beneficial to the rest of the community, however it presents potential trouble with the law for me.
2) PSSA:
"Pennsylvania System of School Assessment Test (PSSA)." Math and Reading Help for Kids - Homework Help, Tutoring and Parenting Advice. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. <http://math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org/articles/Pennsylvania_System_of_School_Assessment_Test_(PSSA).html>.
The Pennsylvania’s System of School Assessment test is administered to determine whether or not public school students are meeting the standards that are set by the government. There is research that proves students learn different ways, thus students should not all be evaluated the same. Students that have tons of knowledge might not know how to demonstrate it through the method of a multiple-choice test. Personally I do not demonstrate knowledge best through test but rather through projects, demonstrations and writing.
Legislative Branch:
Pros:
1) New health care bill:
"Health Care Reform Bill Summary: A Look At What's in the Bill - Political Hotsheet - CBS News." Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World News - CBS News. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. <http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20000846-503544.html>.
"10-ways-the-new-healthcare-bill-may-affect-you: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance." Yahoo! Finance - Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. <http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/109178/10-ways-the-new-healthcare-bill-may-affect-you?mod=family-love_money>.
Signed by President Obama, the new health care bill promises great changes to the American health system. It is expected to expand coverage to 32 million Americans that are currently uninsured. It is even expected to reduce the deficit by 143 billion over the first ten years! With the new health care bill passed, I can stay on my parent’s insurance until I am 26 years old, my health insure will not be able to “drop” me if I get sick, I cannot be denied because of a pre-existing condition, and I will have to have insurance or else I am capable of being fined. Those are only a few of the ways the new health care bill will affect me. I do believe these changes will benefit me and even make a positive influence on my health overall.
2) Civil Rights Act of 1964:
"Our Documents - Civil Rights Act (1964)." Welcome to OurDocuments.gov. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. <http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=old&doc=97>.
The decision to end discrimination based on race, color or national origin. It is an essential decision to any working American. Not hiring or firing based on race discrimination was made illegal. It also guarantees equal voting rights. Additionally, it ended segregation in public places. There are many ways in which this has impacted my life. For one, I cannot be excluded from any public facility based on my race. I attended a school where all races can be found. I even can apply to any job without the fear of not being declined a position because of my skin color. Recently I just applied to a Japanese restaurant. Even though I clearly did not fit in and thought they wouldn’t consider hiring me, they still called me back and asked me to come in to get my schedule.
Cons:
1) Title 9 (Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act):
"About Title IX." Bailiwick - The University of Iowa Libraries. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. <http://bailiwick.lib.uiowa.edu/ge/aboutRE.html>.
Title 9 is a landmark legislation that banned sex discrimination in schools. It has especially increased females’ opportunities to participate in sports. This piece of legislation has had a bearing on my life since I play high school soccer. Even more, my oldest sister who attending Bodine High School, was the captain of the boy’s soccer team. Since there were not enough girls to have their own team, she joined the boy’s team with one other girl. Without Title 9, my sister’s achievement as the boy’s soccer team captain would not have been possible. She is as true role model.