Essential Question #2

How can citizens and groups participate effectively in the democratic process?

• Vote for presidents, vice presidents, representatives, senators, etc. 
• Vote on amendments
• Right to assemble (or other First Amendment rights)
• Run for election
• Propose a bill

Executive Order

Executive Orders (EOs) are legally binding orders given by the President, acting as the head of the Executive Branch.

Executive Orders are generally used to direct federal agencies and officials in their execution of congressionally established laws or policies.

Executive Orders do not require Congressional approval to take effect, but they have the same legal weight as laws passed by Congress.

First Amendment

Bill of Rights has 10 amendments. The first amendment is the most important

Freedom of Assembly: People had the right to peacefully protest, but it had to be safe. Example: Occupy Wall Street.

Freedom  of Religion: People have the right to practice any religion they want. Example: FBI spying on Muslims.

Freedom of the Press: People are allowed to post whatever they want, as long as it is from their own outlet. Example: "Fangtastics" school vampire club.

Freedom of Speech: People have the right to publicly say what they want to and express how they feel. Example: Jefferson County School

Freedom to Petition: People have the right to seek the help of, or make a complaint to, the government without being punished.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

1. Bill is proposed in the House
2. Bill is referred to Committee in the House
3. Voted on and passed in the House
4. Referred to Committee in the Senate
5. Voted on and passed in the Senate
6. President signs the bill
7. Bill becomes a law

Basics of the Branches

Branch:	Legislative	Executive	Judicial
Main Duty:	Creates Laws	Enforces Laws	Interprets the Law
Head of the Branch:	Congress (House of Representatives and Senate)	President	Supreme Court

Which of the three branches of US Government is the most powerful?

No one branch is more powerful than any of the other branches

Federal, Concurrent, and State

Federal (Delegated Powers):

• Coin and print money
• Declare war and make peace
• Regulate foreign trade
• Raise and support armed forces
• Admit new states
• Pass laws regulating immigration
• Make civil and criminal laws
• Establish post offices
• Make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out its powers

Concurrent (Both Powers):

• Establish courts
• Collect taxes
• Borrow money
• Charter banks
• Make and enforce laws

State (Reserved Powers):

• Establish and support public schools
• Make civil and criminal laws
• Regulate trade within a state
• Conduct elections
• Pass license requirements for professionals
• Pass laws regulating businesses within state borders
• Establish local governments
• Determine qualifications of voters and voting process

Six Purposes of the US Constitution Preamble

1. In order to form a more perfect union,
• better than the articles of confederation
• more perfect than before
2. Establish justice,
• legislature at federal, state, and local levels
• courts at federal, state, and local levels
• law enforcement at federal, state, and local levels
3. Insure domestic tranquility,
• peace between states, counties, and cities
4. Provide for the common defense, 
• national military (army, navy, air force, marines, coast guard)
5. Promote the general welfare, and
• social programs to help elderly and needy individuals
6. Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity,
• maintain civil rights (including voting) for ourselves and our children