Time for Checks and Balances

President Bush’s nomination of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court gives us a perfect example of our system of checks and balances in action. The Senate is in the process of giving their “advice and consent” (Article II section2). The writers of the Constitution set up a system that allowed each branch the opportunity to stop the actions of the others and to provide for a balance of power. It was interesting to note that the Senators on the Judiciary Committee asked Judge Alito several questions about his thoughts on the power of the Executive branch. Senator Hatch from Utah, in his questioning, reminded all of us that no one, not even the President, is above the law. Our Constitution is based on the rule of law and is the supreme law of the land (Article VI).

We ended our discussion of the Constitution with a reminder that not everyone in 1787 supported the document. The Anti-federalists feared that the document would create too strong a central government and that personal liberties were not spelled out in a Bill of Rights. The supporters of the Constitution were able to brilliantly explain each objection through a series of newspaper articles called the “Federalist Papers.” The essays, written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay, persuaded the voters of New York to vote in favor of the Constitution. Rhode Island once again showed its independent spirit by being the last of the original colonies to approve the document in May 1790.

Mid Term Exams

Next week you have the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of our first two standards. Some last minute advice:

Use the study guide along with the text and standards; terms and events
need to be understood in context not as isolated vocab words

Use your portfolio assignments; review your past work to prepare
for the exam

Use the blog; start with the September entries; by reading the weekly
entries, you will have a complete review of what we covered
and the skills used to accomplish our tasks

Use the habits of mind that we have been practicing: persevere; ask
questions; think about your thinking; reflect

230 Years Ago!

Thank you to KH for reminding us that “Common Sense” will be 230 year old on January 15! Thomas Paine clearly articulated the “Common Sense” reasons for separating from England. In addition he argued that people could establish their own government and did not need kings or nobles. This 47 page pamphlet quickly became a best seller in the colonies and supported the members of the Continental Congress when they signed the Declaration of Independence in July 1776.

A Day to Remember

Let us all take a moment to remember Dr. Martin Luther King and the great service and sacrifices he made for this country. He articulated a grand vision for our country, much like the original founders, and we must continue to all contribute to the goals he set forth.