Even though the bill C-51 is more likely a violation of freedom and can be used as a power of dictatorship, but the purpose of Harper’s government were good: protect Canadian residents from the danger of terrorism, by setting certain groups of people on the watching list, it could reduce the rate of terrorism and crime activities. So people could living in a society which is safer, more peaceful.…
At what cost are citizens willing to go in exchange for protection? With the increasing amount of terrorist attacks such as the Orlando Shootings, the Paris Attacks, the Brussels Bombings, etc. occurring around the world with no end in sight, it is not a coincidence that paranoia and fear has risen as well. With more fear in the population, more political pressure is placed on the shoulders of the government, which Canada is no exception to. Due to this, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives has decided to enact Bill C-51, the anti-terror legislation, which essentially allows police, federal institutions and CSIS further powers to gather info and detain “potential terrorists”. This may sound reasonable on the outside, but the…
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.…
c. Even the threat of a presidential veto can be an effective tool for persuading Congress to give more weight to presidents' views.…
The number of presidential vetoes varies from year to year partly because there are different times of presidency when there are partisan or bi-partisan governing. So president may get a partisan control in the congress when his party dominates in both chambers, bi-partisan control is the time when president has support dominance of opposition party in both House of Representatives and Senate and bi-partisan control when opposition party dominates in either chambers. Switch form two types of governing can occur every 2 years period in Mid term elections. George W. Bush has the smallest record of presidential vetoes because out of 8 years of his ruling (2 terms) 6 were under partisan control of Republican party. As result of dominance of his own party in congress he had only 12 vetoes (11 regular + 1 pocket) comparing to 37 vetoes under Bill Clinton. He made relatively high number of vetoes because out of 8 years of his presidency 6 years the congress was under control of opposition Republican party. Ideological incompatibility with Republican dominated congress has lead him to place majority of 37 vetoes.…
Truman’s most notable use of this power is his Truman Doctrine. This act of foreign policy was given to a joint session of congress and was then given in the form of a speech to the american people by Harry S. Truman in order for them to see the importance of giving aid to "free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures (Gale, Truman Doctrine)." This was a direct outcry and pledge to protect other countries threatened by communism. Even though many saw this action as extreme and unnecessary it set a foreign policy precedent that is still viewed today as influential and important. Truman also used legislative power through his use of vetoes. Truman vetoed 250 bills and out of those had 12 vetoes overturned by congress. Although he often acted against public support, many of his vetoes helped support his plan for office and success of the economic status of the nation. This foresight and caution in his vetoes as well as strength and boldness in foreign policy and direction to the congress mark him as a successful…
House Bill 405, also known as gag laws, are a “variety of laws meant to curb undercover investigations of agricultural operations, often large dairy, poultry and pork farms (Runyon).” These laws have stirred lots of controversy due to it possibly not being legal to pass and its ability to halt the work of certain movements. Many people such as animal rights activists have opposed the bill while farmers and major dairy lobbyist have sided with it. As more states decide on this both sides push to get the bills passed or repealed. Ag gag laws should not be passed because it infringes on the rights given by the first amendment, violates food safety, and supports animal abuse.…
Prior to 1787 the states were fairly new, power wasn't evenly distributed between the people the state and the national government. This was the reason the delegates decided to come together, to review the articles confederation in order to acquire a stronger national government. The article of confederation provided the states with an abundant amount of power and not a sufficient amount to the nation government. Hence why states often ignored congress and worried only about the good of their state and not as a whole nation. "The national government had neither a consistent Currency, nor a military force, nor the power to regulate trade, nor the power to levy taxes." Although the people were free from Great Britain, they still need to become…
You are absolutely right on the money when you say that government is slow as molasses. Although policy making is a lengthy process it seems to take forever to get something approved or passed. However, politicians always seem to get some bills passed in a timely fashion when it benefits certain areas. You gave some excellent historical information about how and when Line-Item Vetoes are used and who used. It seems that the idea of Line-Item Veto could be good for some but not so good for others. Some may feel that by giving a President Line-Item Veto powers could upset the balance of our current policy and spending process, but we all know Congress spends money, and having a second opinion could be…
2. The four options the president has when a bill reaches his desk are: signing the bill making it a law, president can ignore it, allowing the bill to become law without signing it in ten days, president can pocket veto, and last he can veto the bill.…
Adler, Jonathan. “The Erroneous argument the senate has a ‘constitutional duty’ to consider a supreme court nominee.” The Washington Post…
In May of 2007, President Bush Vetoed a war spending bill that caused for a change of policy in Iraq and Congress was not able to override it. While some people might think that executive branch, others think that the Judicial branch is just as or even more powerful.…
Going back to 1883, The Pendleton Act, created a civil service system to help control where money was coming from. This was believed to give corporations preference because politicians would raise money by speaking to corporations and offering to put a stop to bills that would negatively affect them and promote laws that would be in the corporation’s favor. In 1907 Teddy Roosevelt signed into law the Tillman Act because he believed money was a negative influence on campaigns. This act banned corporations from giving money directly to candidates. The Taft-Harley Act of 1947 expanded on the Tillman Act by adding that unions could not directly contribute to candidates. These acts caused the creation of Political Action Committees, or PACs, which have a large influence on campaigns. In 1971, The Federal Election Commission Act, or FECA, was passed to help control PACs. The Bi-Partisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, or BCRA, tried to limit the influence that PACs had on elections. This act says that PACs cannot run ads within thirty days of an election. Finally, we come to the Citizens United VS Federal Election Commission, FEC. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Citizens United and this decision said that people, or PACs, can spend money the…
Before I begin, I believe it is important to explain what a filibuster is prior to explaining the advantages and disadvantages. In 1789 both the House and the Senate had identical rule books which included a rule known as the “previous question” motion. This motion allowed a simple majority to stop debate. Today the House of Representative still utilizes this rule however the Senate does not have this rule on their books any longer. Thus, the filibuster is only utilized in the Senate. When one of more United State Senators debates with the intention to slow down the progress on a specific bill or nomination, this is called a filibuster.…
I agree that it's hard to get bills passed, but it's also a gamble. Allowing the president, that you like, have the most power may be benificial at the time. One thing to consider is what if these rules were in place and a president that doesn't have the same views as you or your party, this can ultimaltely become detrimental…