Abstract In the 1950s, the United States government focused much of its energies on fighting communism, or the ?Red Scare.? Was this threat real or contrived? The paper examines how, in "The Devil We Knew: Americans and the Cold War", H.W. Brands answers this question by analyzing what he considers the imaginary versus the real fears that faced the American nation.
From the Paper "America was also making its anti-communist concerns felt on an international level. Following World War II, the U.S. may have given the impression that it was against creating an empire and not "playing the role of bully" with countries having different ideologies. The country's actions, relates Brand, indicated differently by giving credence to "red fascism" or the transfer of hostile emotions from Hitler's fascism to communist states. This transference provided the U.S. with an excuse for becoming entangled in the affairs of other countries. Further, Truman's Atlantic Doctrine allowed America to defend countries in the Mediterranean and Middle East that were supposedly being threatened by a Soviet breakthrough."
Abstract Those who argue against allowing prayers in school point to the American Constitution, which mandates a separation of church and state. Those who support the issue, however, remind the world that Senate, Congressional, and city meetings start with a prayer. This paper presents a detailed examination of the issue of prayer in school. The writer explores the issue from both sides and includes several examples of government debate regarding prayer in schools. After presenting both sides of the issue, the writer's view is presented on the side of those who believe that a student should be able to express his or her religion freely, but should not be forced to do so.
From the Paper "One of the problems with the issue of allowing prayer in school or not is the fact that the public is receiving many conflicting messages. The constitution clearly mandates that there should be a separation of church and state. To those who are against prayer in school, this easily translates to believing the founding fathers did not want anything spiritual allowed into a public school system, which after all is funded and run by the "state", a government body. Separation of church and state, according to the detractors of prayer in school, means that no religious events or activities should be allowed within the school grounds during public school hours."
Abstract This paper begins by comparing the electoral voting system in the U.S. with that of other democratic nations. The paper explains that the U.S. uses the electoral college system, whereby each state is allocated a value depending on size and population, and then the state vote is collected to make the overall national vote. The paper then looks at other countries' systems, including Canada, Mexico, and Australia. The writer comments on why voter turnout in America is low compared to other democratic countries.
From the Paper "One of the main differences between the United States election process and other democratic nations? in the United States? use of the Electoral College. In the United States, the Electoral College is the Constitution's name for the provisions for electing the president. In effect, the United States Electoral College elects the president through individual simultaneous state elections, rather than through one national election. This Electoral College is comprised of electoral colleges in each state. Those electoral colleges are made up of individual voters, who are responsible for casting two votes each, one for president and one for vice president."
Abstract Health services are crucial for any American, illegal alien or not. The paper argues that to refuse health care to people because they are in the country illegally is not only cruel and heartless; it simply ignores the foundation of freedom upon which America's ancestors built the country. This paper further argues that illegal aliens in the United States should be entitled to receive basic health services and gives compelling reasons why this is true.
From the Paper "However, as these immigrants enter the country illegally, work here illegally, and do not (or can not) retain citizenship, a growing number of the public and their legislators believe these people should not receive basic needs when they are in need, such as health care. California voters passed Proposition 187 in 1994, and part of the proposition banned public services to undocumented aliens working and living in the state. Eventually, the higher courts threw much of the Proposition out, but it gained national attention and several others states that have large immigrant populations, such as Florida, began writing similar legislation for their own states. However, most immigrants say they do not come to America for the social services they can receive ? they come for jobs, and legislating against them cannot change that."
Abstract The Federalist Papers provided the blueprint for what was later to become the American Constitution and provided guidelines and step by step directions about the setting up of a nation. This paper presents a detailed examination of the Federalist Papers. The writer explores the papers and discusses how they contributed to the nation's growth. In addition, the writer explores the anti-federalist papers and discusses their place in the growth of the nation. The paper also touches on the importance of the papers in modern American.
From the Paper "The Federalist Papers went on to gain the support the authors were looking for regarding the proposed constitution. At first glance it may appear that the papers had served their purpose and were no longer needed today, but that is not the case. The Federalist Papers still have a significant impact on the nation currently for several reasons. Courtrooms around the nation are packed with cases in which the judges and juries are charged with determining whether or not the constitutional rights of the defendants have been obeyed. In addition there are political situations nationwide every day that must adhere to or go against the constitution."
Abstract This paper looks at the issue of free speech, especially in light of many Americans' anti-war and anti-Bush positions. The paper explains that the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizens the right to express their opinions openly, even if this goes against the public opinion expressed by the government. The paper refers to specific public figures, such as actor Tim Robbins, who have openly expressed opposition to the Bush government and the war in Iraq.
From the Paper "Returning to the example of the Dixie Chicks, it is noted that many radio stations condemned the group and refused to play their songs based on their "unpatriotic" comments. Dale Carter, a program director for KFKF radio station in Kansas initially refused to play their songs on the radio. After reconsidering, Carter changed his mind. He is quoted describing the basis for the decision saying, "Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are over there fighting for our rights -- and one of those is our Constitutional right to express an unpopular opinion" (Gilbert). This statement recognizes that the point is not what the actual opinion expressed is. Instead, the point is that everyone has the right to express their opinion, even if it is unpopular."
Tags: dixie, chicks, tim, robbins, war, iraq, bush, eminem
Abstract This paper looks at how the disabled have been discriminated against in the U.S., past public policy that enforced this discrimination, and recent changes to legislation and policy that are designed to eliminate discrimination and protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. Finally, the paper presents both the arguments in favor of disability policies and laws, as well as the arguments, opposed to disability policies and laws.
From the Paper "Public policy was made up of state and private/corporate policies until the middle of the 1950s, when things began to change, however, wrongheadedly by making those with disabilities ?sick.? But some recognition was better than none, and at least opened the door to a changing approach over time. With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, many thought the change was complete. They hadn"t reckoned with state's desires to circumvent paying off for their prior misdeeds. They hadn"t reckoned with the huge, although apparently temporary, outcry from business that making accommodations to facilities as required by the law would bankrupt them."
Abstract This paper briefly discusses the moral and ethical aspects of a "just war" by focusing on Alex Moseley's "Just War Theory". It looks at the concept of war from a religious point of view and discusses whether any war could truly be justified.
From the Paper "Saint Thomas Aquinas was another important person who supported the developed the concept of "just war" wherein religious sanction was accorded under certain conditions. Saint Thomas declared that, "those who are attacked, should be attacked because they deserve it on account of some fault.". [John Raymond] He proposed three conditions namely "just cause", "authorized authority" and "rightful intention" as prerequisites for approving a war. According to him, the ruler of a nation has the authority to declare war against any other nation to restore peace and protect his own nation from an internal chaos or impending danger. St Thomas explains that the divine doctrine "he who takes the sword will perish by it" is not applicable in the case of war because the use of sword is approved by the authority to defend the national integrity. He further justified his "just war" theory but pointing out to the biblical injunction "do not resist evil". Another important aspect stressed by St. Thomas is the prevalence of the common good over individual moral considerations. That is he seems to approve of two different moral codes at the individual and collective level. [John Raymond]"
This paper compares the structure of the national governments of both the United States and Great Britain, focusing on the executive and legislative levels.
Abstract The first part of this paper examines the workings of the presidential system of government in the United States. The next part then looks at the corresponding system in Great Britain, focusing on the structure of the British Houses of Parliament. The final part of this paper then compares the two systems, examining how the two countries rely on their different political systems to serve the needs of their constituents.
From the Paper "The Constitution of the United States designates three main structures of government. The judiciary is charged with the country's legal system, interpreting and upholding the country's laws. The legislature, composed of the Lower House and the Senate, is composed of representatives who write the laws of the country. Finally, the executive branch runs the country's administrative needs."
Tags: presidential, parliament, commons, senate, lower, house
Abstract This paper looks at the growing trend in human rights violations throughout the world and the need to respond to these violations. The paper argues that massive human rights violations, genocide, and repression of populations justify some form of intervention by the international community. The paper then provides a definition of humanitarian intervention and looks at the different forms it may take, its origins, and the major argument in the humanitarian intervention debate. Additionally, the paper looks at the Doctrine of Preemption, as defined by the present Bush Administration, and the principal behind the doctrine. Finally, the need for a peace-building agenda is discussed, followed by a conclusion reasserting the need for international involvement in humanitarian assistance.
From the Paper "Human rights violations have taken place from the medieval times to the present day, throughout the world. Recently, serious and widespread human rights violations and humanitarian catastrophes have rocked the world and prompted new international responses. Cambodia, Uganda, Somalia, Rwanda, Serbia, Bosnia' Cuba and other Latin American countries, South Africa's apartheid regime, East Timor, Congo and most recently Iraq - the list is never ending - have challenged the international communities to deal with these situations. The magnitude, duration, and pace of recent emergencies, as well as how to respond to them, present serious challenges to governments and the larger international community. Actions to address such humanitarian catastrophes are urgently needed."
