Frank Capra's controversial 1939 film "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" tells the story of a young, naive and inexperienced politician who is brought to Washington to replace the recently-deceased fictional Senator Samuel Foley. The film has a number of themes, but one that stands out b...

Jim McDermott is serving his twelfth term in Congress for the Seventh District of Washington State. The district is located in the Pacific Northwest and includes most of Seattle, all of the Vashon Island, along with portions of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Tukwila, Seac, and Burien. A census taken...

The President of the United States- this title has come to earn so much honor, as it is considered "the most powerful elected official in the world" (World Book). Some of America's most distinguished men were once presidents, and we recall such great names as George Washington, Ab...

America was established on foundational principles that ensured its citizens the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These unassailable rights were established through the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and they are governed today by the U.S. Constitution, a document that has...

Within the last decade, the Office of the President of the United States Federal Government, part of the triad of the Executive, Legislative (US Congress) and Judicial (the Supreme Court) branches, has come under fire, due to the views of some Americans who consider the Executive branch to be far le...

On October 23, 1783, a most extraordinary event took place. George Washington gave up power. How could anyone do this? Power was the "thing" that everyone wanted. So, why would Washington be crazy enough to give up such a valuable possession? Since he had helped Americans gain ...

McCulloch v. Maryland The case of McCulloch v. Maryland was brought to the United States Supreme Court in 1819. The decisions of Chief Justice John Marshall in this case would set precedence for all future cases involving the expansion of federal power and any impediment on federal power...

The media serves a complicated role in national security. It can serve as a national comforter in times of war, assassination, and tragedy. In the case of September 11th horrors, a critic should stress the exhausting, often excellent work of individual reporters and news organizations. But most of u...

In this years governor race, there are two candidates, Democratic nominee Phil Bredesen, and Republican nominee Van Hilleary. Both born into money and both good business men, and a good business man is what we need this term to help balance are state budget. Van Hilleary was born in Spring City, T...

Examples of Bureaucracy Some examples of bureaucracy in the United States are: the International Revenue Service, which collects taxes from citizens. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which looks into crimes for American citizens. The Postal Service, which delivers mail to citizens and the...

Examples of Bureaucracy Some examples of bureaucracy in the United States are: the International Revenue Service, which collects taxes from citizens. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which looks into crimes for American citizens. The Postal Service, which delivers mail to citizens and the...

Examples of Bureaucracy Some examples of bureaucracy in the United States are: the International Revenue Service, which collects taxes from citizens. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which looks into crimes for American citizens. The Postal Service, which delivers mail to citizens and the...

The Articles of Confederation, from 1781 to 1789, provided our virgin country with an efficient form government, transferring power from a monarchy to a democratic republic. The Articles were a segway, a necessary step to drawing our modern constitution. It gave our country its first taste of moder...

Justin Cameron February 1st, 1999 Lack of trust is a reoccurring theme through out the three cases. One might ask, why you need trust in any civil society? Lack of trust in a civil society has the society with no real stability. Trust in authority is lacking in each case. The approval rat...

Medical Marijuana The U.S. Supreme Court may turn Nevada's plan to have sick patients use marijuana into a ruling Monday. They provided no legal leeway for medicinal use of the drug. Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, a Democrat from Las Vegas, who sponsored Nevada's medical mariju...

Alexander Hamilton: America's Financial Genius In advocating custom durites [tariffs] and an excise tax, Hamilton primarily intended to raise revenue for the treasury. Yet in each of these measures, he had a hidden agenda. Describe these other goals of Hamilton. In America's infancy, Alexander H...

Tyranny. Oppression. Repression. Restriction. These descriptors illustrate British rule's impact on the colonial population. After years of unwarranted invasions, unfair taxes, and burdensome laws, people dreaded the continuing loss of their freedoms. A group of 55 men recognized that trepidati...

The American Constitution is, without dispute, one of the most significant political achievements of western civilization. The authors of the Constitution expounded the philosophy of their own political world, while at the same time leaving a legacy to protect, guide, and shape their country through...

How Are Gun Control Laws Affecting Our Society? On April 16th, 2014 the Jenkins family turned in for the night. They hear something in the front room. It sounds like someone is breaking into the window in their living room. Mr. Jenkins gets out of bed to check what is going on. He enters the front ...

Is William Jefferson Clinton the greatest president in our nation's history? Some will argue that his productivity in the oval office surpasses all other U.S. leaders. Others believe that sex acts and scandals will tarnish his image forever. Nevertheless Clinton has proven he is a worthy le...

A Reform is a way of changing society. During the 1880's and 90's many people had different opinions on reform and how society was to be changed. This was the ending of the war and people needed a brake through both everyday life and politics. Since there were so many people th...

Legalization Legalization of marijuana has been a controversial issue in the U.S. for the past several years. The people vs. the federal government is just one of the main debates over legalization. In the past marijuana was required to be grown on most plantations in the southern regi...

HOWARD PHILLIPS Howard Phillips is classified as a family man. He is married to Peggy Phillips and has six children ranging in age from 13 to 34, and 12 grandchildren. Phillips is, like many politicians, well educated from a well known ivy-league university. He is a 1962 gra...

The question of whether the Congress is representative towards the American public has been a longstanding question that has become the spotlight of numerous political debates. Many people believe that with a membership of nearly all-white males from a higher social status in society, it is nearly ...

A bicameral system is a legislative system in which the power of law making is vested in two houses, or chambers, both of which must approve a bill before it becomes law. There are a few general guidelines by which most bicameral systems, including the United States, operate. The upper house, The...