September

09/05/2024 - Do you think it’s more important for states to have power or for the national government to be stronger? Why?

I believe it’s more important for national government to be stronger. Mainly due to the fact that when states have a ton of power they can make laws that are separate from other states. For example, one state might pass an abortion law while another doesn’t. This disorder divides what’s meant to be united states and can cause people to view other areas as hostile. Additionally, when states gain too much power they may threaten to secede like the Confederacy attempt to.

09/09/2024 - What makes a government weak or strong? Why?

I believe that a strong government gives to its people what they need to be thriving and live a fulfilling life. Additionally, they allow people to gather in small groups or factions that can have a little power but not enough to be able to trouble others. A government becomes weak when they fail to do the previous things but also when they fail to manage external affairs as well; a government must manage the image of the country both internally and externally. A strong government also self manages itself.

09/17/2024 - What is one serious thing you would add to the Constitution? What is one silly/funny thing you’d add?

In terms of a serious issue I’d address, I’d likely change the acceptable conditions that we can imprison people under. For example, limiting and eliminating the use of solitary confinement while also focusing on rehabilitation and not containment. In terms of a silly thing that I might add, I think that objectively funny crimes shouldn’t count or at least count less. Like if you steal from a Walmart using one of those sticky hands, that should be admissible because it’s funny (and it’s Walmart).

09/19/2024 - What are some things that are better managed by the states rather than the federal (national) government? Why?

I think that local services are the things that are best managed by the state. For instance, while I think that a national medicare is good I think the “boots-on-ground” mediating and managing should be managed by the state as to not cause more confusion then necessary. Generally speaking, the more hands that a project go through the longer it takes to finish, so any project that requires a fast and time sensitive view are things for a state government to deal with.

09/26/2024 - What model of government is depicted in this political cartoon? How do you know?

This looks like an Elite ****democracy. It’s Congress that is being criticized and Congress is an Elite democracy. Alternatively this criticizing Federal government because Congress is a part of the federal government.

An element being critiqued is the NRA, which is an Interest Group, and they are trying to alter congressional opinion / policy.