How Much Power Does the President Really Have?
While many may think that the powers of the President are unlimited and he can do anything he wants, the actual powers of the President are specifically defined within Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. The first power granted to the Presidency is to be the Commander-in-Chief of the US armed forces, and to commission the officers within them. The next power listed is the ability to grant pardons and reprieves. Along with the consent of the Senate, the President has the power to make treaties and appoint Ambassadors, judges, and other political officers. The Read the rest of this entry »
The West Wing: Where Executive Decisions Are Made
Some of the most important decisions in the world are made in the West Wing, the executive office structure attached to the White House in Washington, D.C.
U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt initiated the renovation of the White House conservatories and the construction of the one-story building. His successor, William Howard Taft, enlarged the building and created the Oval Office, the president’s office. The president sits behind a desk in the Oval Office made of the Read the rest of this entry »
The Coming Political Storm and Your Benefits
Tired of all the political spin happening on the news? Your humanity might be called into question if you weren’t since no one likes having their favorite television shows and radio programs book-ended by all the mudslinging. The fact of the matter is that most Americans already know who they are voting for and those ads really aren’t meant for them, they are meant for those few of you undecided.
However, just because you already know who you are going to vote for, doesn’t mean you should ignore the process when it comes to the issues and the debates. It could very well be true that the coming political storm might affect more than just your right to marry whoever you want or immigration – it could really affect your social security benefits.
By its very nature, social security is intended to secure the livelihood of the citizens of this country. Social security benefits like disability coverage help keep working Americans just out of poverty’s reach whenever an unforeseen injury occurs. If you don’t pay attention to the issues and what the different candidates stand for, you could be in for a nasty surprise when it comes to your benefits. That’s why you should consult your online social security resources like SSDI FAQ’s and keep up with your politics.
The Supreme Court: How It Works
The duties and responsibilities of the Supreme Court of the United States, along with those of all other “inferior” or “subordinate” federal courts, are established under Article III of the Constitution. As a general rule, the Supreme Court is considered an “appellate court,” meaning that it hears cases whose rulings from another court are being challenged on matters of interpretation of existing federal law. The Constitution does not give the Supreme Court, or any other federal court, the power to make law. Courts may only interpret and apply existing laws.
Traditionally, there are nine justices serving on the Supreme Court ( Read the rest of this entry »
Earmarks, Filibusters and Other Arcane Congressional Oddities
Some people call the behavior of members of Congress nothing more than partisan politics. Some have a bit more hope that things will change and both sides of the aisle will actually be able to work together. However, if you look at some of the traditional practices within this branch of government, you will see just how odd it is that the people tolerate the behavior.
Earmarks are special projects that members of Congress try to get funded in order to benefit their own district. Read the rest of this entry »
The Life of a Congressional Bill: How It’s Made
Thousands of bills that considered but only a few are ever approved. A bill introduced by a member of Congress must pass through a number of stages.
A bill is first given a number and is listed in the Congressional Record. It is sent to at least one committee on the House or Senate to be analyzed. If approved, the bill moves into the legislative process.
Some bills are deemed to require review by subcommittees, or are sent to public hearings. If the subcommittee wants Read the rest of this entry »
Executive, Judicial, Legislative: the Three Branches of Government
Under the Constitution of the United States, the three branches of the federal (national) government are the executive (administrative), the legislative (law-making), and the judicial (law-interpreting). These three branches operate under the principle of “checks and balances,” meaning that the authority of one branch is restrained by the powers and authority of the other branches.
The executive branch of the federal government is headed by the President of the United States. The offices of President and Vice-President are filled by election, and each for a term of four years. Although Read the rest of this entry »
Good Citizens: Why You Should Care About Politics
As a taxpayer you have the right to know where your tax dollars are going. Politicians at all levels of government are responsible, at least in part, for deciding how to allocate those funds. Your voice does matter.
On a local level, you may want the dirt road that runs in front of your house to be paved. Someone else may want the city to spend the money to plant more trees in the park. Your voice and the voices of other members of the community can Read the rest of this entry »