Clint Eastwood’s critical, box office and Academy Awards juggernaut tells the tale of Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper), a prolific, er, American sniper, and his endeavours on and off the battlefield during the Iraq war. It’s a heavily lethargic adaptation of a heavily controversial book about a heavily divisive ‘American Hero’. Not to say that the flick itself is wildly patriotic – though the ending tries its best to disprove that – but nor is it an anti-war film, as director Eastwood haplessly attempts to argue. Which is where American Sniper’s greatest fault, among many faults, lies; it’s a film that is too afraid to carry any political heft, any commentary that would make the viewing experience worthwhile. As a result, the whole point of the film is rendered null.…
Thomas Jefferson was the principle leader in the American Revolution, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and a great third president of the United States of America. If one was to acknowledge and characterize a great president as an individual who defends the true and original principles of the federal constitution, and the economic and civil liberties for which Americans had fought in the revolution, then Thomas Jefferson should be regarded as one of the best presidents this nation has seen. Jefferson had a goal once in office, which “was to restore the republican experiment, to check the growth of government power, and to halt the decay of virtue that had set in under Federalist rule” and this mission was accomplished successfully, and in combination with his perspicacious decisions regarding domestic affairs, foreign policy, and our economy, Jefferson was able to embody one of the greatest presidents of our great nation.…
The Fathers of Confederation conceived of the Senate as a “chamber of sober second thought.” However, almost ever since its creation, as the unelected arm of the legislature, people have suggested ways in which to reform the upper house. Concerns of illegitimate representation, party loyalty, and patronage are the main reasons the argument for change continues. This paper aims to review a couple of recent reform proposals, and then argue, leaving constitutional practicality behind, that the Senate should receive a major overhaul in how it is formed and represented.…
However, not everyone was satisfied with the 80 proposed amendments. Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the treasure, was given the task of rebuilding the economy. His plans would create a powerful federal government, while Washington supporting him but Thomas Jefferson, secretary of the state, opposed it. Hamilton’s first problem…
Smith Goes to Washington. In summation, this movie shows an idealistic, unpolitical man who is appointed as a US Senator by a manipulative party. Smith proposes a bill to start a camp in his state; unfortunately, the development of the camp will interfere with another bill regarding the creation of a dam in the same area, which is actually a ruse for the manipulative party to make money. Once Smith discovers this, he does everything in his power to prohibit the dam from being built and to bring to light the corruption of numerous US Senators. In this clip, Jefferson Smith holds a filibuster in order to be heard. This individual is an ideal example of a hero. Mr. Smith is an incredibly humble, unexperienced man who stands up for fairness and democracy, as well as fighting for the children of his state who cannot be heard. Instead of quietly following the corrupt party so as to not be harmed, he courageously puts his position as Senator, as well as…
In the movie, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, after a U.S senator named Sam Foley passes away, governor Hubert Hopper, otherwise known as "Happy," needs to find someone to take the position. When Hopper finds out his boss named Jim Taylor is trying to get him to choose the person Taylor wants as opposed to what the popular decision would be, he is in the middle of a very difficult dilemma. Another candidate he considered, thanks to his kids suggestions, was the head of the Boy Rangers, Jefferson Smith. Since Happy was having such difficulty choosing someone for the position he tossed a coin and it landed on its side, no heads or tails, but it did land on an article about what a great person Jefferson Smith was. Therefore, Happy chose him for…
Jefferson was the Secretary of State, he has a big responsibility of controlling foreign affairs. He was also known for opposing Hamilton's plan of the National bank. He strongly felt the plain gave more power to the government than the Constitution allows. Most southern states had already paid off their war debts, he questioned why they should bail out northern states that still had debts. Thomas Jefferson also favored the Strict Constitution. The group felt congress should be limited to the power specifically granted by the Constitution. He criticized Hamilton for the use of federal force to repress legitimate criticism. Democratic Republicans favored him and James Madison also. The party was strongest among southerners and farmers.…
In his analysis Nelson W. Polsby discusses how although there is congressional disagreement and conflict, there shouldn’t be talk of changing the constitution framework. Polsby starts out by giving background information and how this has been going on for a century. At first it was the liberals doing most of the bashing, however more recently the conservatives have been complaining. Polsby tells us that this conflict switches often but the losing party always seems to complain about congress status and how they are achieving their goals through a lack of separation of powers. Polsby points out that he dislikes the talk of constitutional reform to “cure political ailments”. This is what Polsby refers…
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is the story of an honest man, Jeff Smith, who is appointed to the senate when a senator from his state dies. Jeff is honest, patriotic, and nave. He soon learns that Washington is a dirty place where graft is the golden rule, and congressmen take orders from greedy money-men. Jeff tries to keep his integrity, but soon he is framed by the richest man in his state, Taylor. Jeff fights Taylor on the floor of the senate until he is triumphant.…
However, the need for the Senate is still prominent, as they are needed to ensure the soundness of bills being passed. It is for this reason that minor and modest changes should be made over time to regulate its transparency and openness to the public when it comes to spending and appointing Senators. Although these changes are minor, it will allow for the Senate to remain the same role in the Canadian system as it has, while satisfying the public with insight regarding their decisions.…
In the current confines of the Congressional system, Members of Congress are faced with the challenge of embodying a particular representation style to appeal to the voting body. Whenever they initially decide to embark on the campaign trail it is essential that they select or combine the appropriate styles that will…
Worse, the film is so thematically confusing that it is at first not clear what Scorsese is trying to say. To be sure the choice of material is worthy. The plight of working class immigrants in 19th century New York City, and the Draft Riots of 1863 have, to my knowledge, been given no filmic attention. Even more intriguing are the possibilities inherent in Scorsese's observations about the interplay between the nativist sentiments embodied in Daniel Day-Lewis' character, Bill the Butcher, and the corruption of the US government. Taking place as it does during the American Civil War when Boss Tweed held New York City in his grip, the film's setting certainly provides ample opportunity for some reflections on these important topics. In fact, I think the message of this film is as disturbing as the way it is told. It would seem that Scorsese intended to make a film that was anti-war, but ended up with one that is anti-government and anti-law.…
As both an American citizen and student of US history, I believe that a man’s true character reveals itself in times of adversity. The leaders emerge and men and women of smaller fortitude weed themselves out, sometimes sooner rather than later.…
There is no pressure for the government to take bribes. There is WTO. They are transparent and they support no corruption.…
Monroe was not considered a president with outstanding intellect, nor was he considered a strong leader, but he was regarded as extremely dedicated, levelheaded, and sincere. Jefferson once said that if you turned Monroe’s soul inside out, it would be found spotless. Whatever his limitations, he surrounded himself with promising Republican leaders, including John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State and son of former Federalist President John Adams; William Crawford, Secretary of Treasury; and John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War.…