Assignment Due 12.10.13.

"You know that it was Jefferson who said that the best government is that which does as little governing as possible, which exercises its power as little as possible. That was said in a day when the opportunities of America were so obvious to every man, when every individual was so free to use his powers without let or hindrance, that all that was necessary was that the government should withhold its hand and see to it that every man got an opportunity to act if he would. But that time is past."

   This part of the passage stands out to me, because it's amazing how our ex president can put into words and change the perspective of the words of a previous president. Times have changed is what Woodrow Wilson is saying. While I personally believe that Jefferson wasn't incorrect to say that, I also don't think Wilson was incorrect to challenge his statement. I do believe a government that does as little governing as possible is the best government, because ideally that implies that we as a society are making sure things are handled for ourselves as opposed to trusting the government to handle things for us. But in a time where everything is so fast paced, it's hard for that idealism to ever come about, and we're living in a time that back in the day, was probably not even dreamed of. Technology and progression have taken us so far, and if we couldn't govern ourselves back then, it's unrealistic to say we can now. But the fact that they're both not wrong, is a beautiful thing. 

 So I chose this passage for that reason. It's amazing to see how one president's philosophy can be correct but unrealistic, and a future president acknowledging that very statement, and admitting that it is highly unlikely, because he knows the times we live in and he knows, that we will always need to be governed. And speaking from the point of view of the president, I'm assuming that he knew why he said, exactly what he said. It's not like me, saying that, without all the power in the world. It's an amazing feeling reading a passage such as this. 

Assignment 12.3.13

Passage Chosen: "The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced."

 My reason for choosing this passage is simple, I've heard the Gettysburg Address multiple times, but not until this very assignment, did I actually take the time to dissect the true significance of this speech, in history, and in our present. Although my honest opinion is, the nation does not know how to be as humble and as brave or as dedicated to the people, as Abraham Lincoln was. By far. Or maybe, it is us as a nation that have to pay more attention to who we decide to elect, because ultimately, we are the one's choosing who leads us, and it feels as if we have chosen qualified, but not exceptional leaders. 

 The significance of this passage and quote, I chose specifically from the Gettysburg Address because of how funny it is that Abraham Lincoln honestly kept it real, and said, that "the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but we can never forget what we did here." It makes me feel like in that moment, they didn't realize how big a change, they had made. What big a goal they accomplished. But regardless of the fact, I love that part, because I'm doing an assignment right now, more than a century later, on the very speech that Abraham Lincoln thought we wouldn't remember. And it's basic history as well. Truth be told, that was a well delivered speech, and it's sincerity and words, honestly, captivate me and motivate me. I would've loved to have lived in an Era where someone like Lincoln was president. Where the weight of the world is on his shoulders, and the lives of many lay on his command, yet he takes full responsibility and acknoledges them all for their sacrifices, even after succeeding. That kind of humbleness, is something I don't feel in our own time, and that's why I personally love this speech. It gives me hope. That one day a leader will rise up with his kind of bravery, and sympathy. Message well received, I'll never forget.

Assignment Due 11.26.13: "Choose a passage from Lincoln's speech on the Dred Scott case, interpret it and explain how it relates to class."

I chose : Judicial decisions have two uses-first, to absolutely determine the case decided, and secondly, to indicate to the public how other similar cases will be decided when they arise. For the latter use, they are called “precedents” and “authorities.”

 My interpretation of this passage is simple, the decision made in the Dred Scott case, was not only unjust in itself, but a horrible example set for future major court cases. I don't blame President Lincoln at all, for creating a speech as he did, because there is truth to his words, and in particular the passage I chose above. I am a believer of "right now is the future". Every choice we make, leads to another circumstance in which we have to make another choice. The decision he made ultimately led to angering and mistrust and obvious showing of how immoral the judicial system was. "He denounces all who question the correctness of that decision, as offering violent resistance to it.". Another example of he makes a decision and cannot reveal his reasoning behind it. If this country is meant to be one giant ideal, made up of all it's citizens, then secrets, and being shady are the exact things citizens should avoid keeping, especially political leaders that at that point in time affected the African American portion of the men that inhabit our land. 

How I think that relates to the class is that's one of those decisions in American Politics that made history and shaped our country today. Even if time passes and it's become more minimal, it's still there, it's not erased, and it can potentially corrupt and leave other leaders cynical because of decisions like the one that was made with the Dred Scott case. Luckily it gave birth to Abraham Lincoln who came online when seeing how that situation was handled, however, extremes like this I feel should be avoided, and learned from. Also comparing and seeing how much we've progressed since this case was established and learning from this case is another reason I feel this is relevant to the class. 

Assignment #5

Passage Chosen (Straight from the lecture): "You are sensible, Sir, that the Seeds of Aristocracy began to spring even before the Conclusion of our Struggle for the Natural Rights of Men, Seeds which like a Canker Worm lie at the Root of free Governments. So great is the Wickedness of some Men & the stupid Servility of others, that one would be almost inclined to conclude that Communities cannot be free. The few haughty Families, think They must govern. The Body of the People tamely consent & submit to be their Slaves. This unravels the Mystery of Millions being enslaved by the few!"

I honestly chose this passage because I didn't have the means to get the original packet, and being that I read the lecture over and over again, I feel, although I might not have exact insight, the professor did a fine job expressing the views of Federalist vs Anti Federalist. This quote stood out to me the most because of how sarcastic it sounds. It almost sounds like a compliment, but in reality its saying, you're a fool for believing this is freedom or that people are happy with your (federalist) methods. I love and wish I had gotten a chance to read the actual writings in entirety because the themes described here are the root of who we are today. Makes me want to go back in time and live in that time period where it seems, although unsuccessful, your voice was heard a little bit more, as an "anti federalist", and I feel I would also be an anti federalist, given my personality today.

What's being said in this passage is, in my own words, who do you think you are to think that we can't govern ourselves, and need you guys to govern us?. It is almost sickening to think that there are people out there who think so highly of themselves, and are so convinced that our freedom, which is what we live by, isn't being used right, or in a good matter, so they should govern and lay down the rules because the higher ups know what's best. You expect the people to be happy about the fact that you're trying to create consequences to their actions of free will? Makes you think twice about what freedom is really all about.

Horizontal and Vertical Federalism are opposites. Horizontal Federalism is cooperation between the 50 states to make decisions, while Vertical Federalism traditionally deems anything the national government of complete importance.

Assignment #2: Choose a quote from Chesterton and write it out on your blog. Under that write your interpretation of what you think the author is trying to say. Then, after that write out your own explanation of the meaning of this passage and why you chose this specific quote. Next class, we will talk about the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.

Quote: "...having risen by low tricks to high places, drink bad

[Pg 18]champagne in tawdry hotel lounges, and tell each other twenty times over, with unwearied iteration, that equality is an illusion.

In truth it is inequality that is the illusion."

-After having read the entire passage, this quote stood out to me the most. My interpretation of this quote is simple, yet I can say so much about it. This quote exemplifies one of his other quotes, in which he says "There seems to be a certain simplicity of mind about these answers; and it is reassuring to know that anarchists and polygamists are so pure and good that the police have only to ask them questions and they are certain to tell no lies." He is saying that the entire ideology on equality is backwards, and while we are living a life thinking, we aren't the same for whatever reason that may be, the truth is, that we are the same. America is one strip of land that attracts people who are striving for an opportunity, and live their lives everyday trying their best to survive, and progress and be happy. The way we go about it may be different, but our means are whats equal. 

The passage is just explaining how important it is to experience or at least try to understand life beyond your comfort zone. It's giving a perspective, and it's saying that it's never easy at first but that you shouldn't go to the outside world thinking that your inner lifestyle which you acquired while in your comfort zone is the "right" one, or more importantly, that other's are "wrong". It's survival 101, so that you know what to expect out of entering the realm of the unknown through the eyes of Chesterton in this chapter. It's showing that it's okay and it's simple to be yourself, and it's natural to misunderstand, and find things you're not used to funny, but that the mistake comes with leaving it there, and not trying to understand why it is the way it is. Overall I feel this passage covers a great aspect of human behavior through traveling, and has a great message on how people should see others, as well as themselves. I also like how that can relate to everyone, who is in this country. 

I chose that quote because I feel that what Chesterton said is true. The reason equality seems impossible is because we believe it to be, and it should be backwards. We should believe inequality to be false, so that we can co-exist more peacefully as people.

Assignment #1: Choose a quote from Bourne and write it out in your blog. Under that write your interpretation of what you think the author is trying to say and explain that. Then, after that write out your own explanation of the meaning of this passage and why you chose this specific quote and how it relates to this class.

"But if freedom means a democratic cooperation in determining the ideals and purposes and industrial and social institutions of a country, then the immigrant has not been free, and the Anglo-Saxon element is guilty of just what every dominant race is guilty of in every European country: the imposition of its culture upon the minority peoples."

My interpretation: Diverse cultures make America what it is today. Different perspectives, and different struggles, create our unique country. Ideally, the freedom America suggests is that we can all co-exist together, however it seem like this paragraph is saying that we are not truly free. Because it's saying to be more "American" is to be more "Anglo-Saxon" like, which even if it seems that way as of now, is not true.

 My Explanation: This passage is explaining that America is witnessing change happen, slowly but surely, and that we should really start thinking about what makes America what it is today. Now that even the "aliens" are "strong enough to take a share in the direction of their own destiny" where are we headed and what is that suggesting? We know that throughout history, with the existence of racism and slaves, that "white" people dominate the United States culture. There are comedians who joke about it all the time, like Louis C.K, but at the end of the day that isn't really what America is about. It's just the biggest struggle we're having as a country. We've always been about trying to be the land of the free and bring about the peace, so that we can live our everyday lives and co-exist together as easy as possible. Now that we are approaching that, does that make us better or worse? I think that's what this passage is saying and Bourne is arguing that it makes us better.

I feel this passage relates to the class because we are involved in politics, and we are studying politics  and if ever we wanted to be a politician, would we be willing to sacrifice all that we are, for the sake of being a "true american"?