POL 166

Prof. Murdaco

October 31, 2015

Assignment # 5

Choose a paragraph from one of the reading assignments and explain why you chose that paragraph

               

From A Lecture On The Anti-Slavery Movement, 1855

“Past organizations may perish, but the cause will go on. That cause has a life, distinct and independent of the organizations patched up from time to time to carry it forward. Looked at apart from the bones and sinews, and body, it’s a thing immortal. It is the very essence of justice, liberty and love. The moral life of human society – it cannot die, while conscience, honor and humanity remain. If but one be filled with it, the cause lives…If there be but one such man in the land, no matter what becomes of abolition societies and parties, there will be an anti – slavery cause, and an anti – slavery movement…”

I chose this paragraph because it exhibits Douglas’ dedication to the end of slavery. Douglas, to a gathering of what might have appeared to be like-minded individuals, Douglas challenges the audience to re-evaluate the methods in which the “four principal divisions.” are operating towards the goal of emancipation.  Douglas states that these four branches all claim to be working toward anti-slavery but their ultimate end result would not rid the country of slavery and might diminish the current organizations. Douglas discusses the power of the anti-slavery movement and the unmistakable momentum that has taken over as the movement has grown. This type of momentum has since been replicated in such modern day movements as the Gay Rights and Black Lives Matter movements. Once a particular issue has engaged a large enough number of the population it becomes an entity with a life all it’s own. The movement then must be addressed because of the number of people pushing for the change, whether in the community, State or Nation.

Prof. Murdaco
POL 166
October 10, 2015
Joan Callahan
Assignment #4

Choose one of the authors from the New York Times article and choose a quote from one of these authors. Write out the quote and the meaning of it, and explain why you chose this quote.

Revisiting the Constitution: Do Away With the Electoral College, by Alexander Keyssar 

I chose this article because it talks about the way in which the voting process eliminates the majority of the American voting population. The constitution is considered a breathing document because it must keep up with the changing culture of the country if it is to be effective in its original intention. The constitution states "We the People" as a reflection of all the people not some of the people. I feel that the American public, not the Electoral College, should decide who our president will be. In the New York Times article titled, Room for Debate, Revisiting the Constitution, Do Away With the Electoral College, by Alexander Keyssar, he states " Indeed, if we were drafting a constitution today, few people would even consider a presidential electoral system like the Electoral College."  We would see the imbalance of power in the current electoral process. The views and concerns of a few are being forced on the American public . If the popular votes were tabulated instead of the electoral college votes there would be a more comprehensive reflection of the American people. The consensus right now among many is that an individuals vote does not have an impact on the outcome of the election. What impact would the popular vote have on voter turnout. I believe that many more Americans would show up at the polls if the popular vote were the deciding factor. This act alone could restore faith in the Governmental process of the American people, moving us all toward a more unified country.

Prof. Murdaco
POL 166
October 3,2015
Joan Callahan
Assignment #3




From the Declaration of Independence: A Transcription


For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: 
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences...In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.


In this text the discussion is centered around the 13 United States fighting for their freedom from the tyrannical oppression of England. The founders of the colonies fled England so they could practice their religion without persecution.  The British Kingdom, however would not allow these early American settlers to escape the tight grip of the British Government.  It states that other means of resolution were attempted but England would not be accommodating to any such requests and their power in the region was such that The 13 States were at the mercy of the British government who restricted their ability to engage in trade with others and imposed unfair taxes upon them. Many of the citezens were transported back to England to be tried for fictitious crimes. All in an effort to thwart their progress as an independent entity.


I chose this text because it highlights the struggles of the early settlers of the United States of America in establishing their independence as a free nation. At this point in history, there was no free nation and England stood to lose a great deal if these settlers were able to set an example for future  people of British rule to follow. By making it difficult for the United States to establish its own nation of free people, The British government was protecting its self from  an exodus of those in search of their own freedom from tyranny.