Citizenship in the Nation

1. Citizenship in the Nation An Exploration in the Governmentof the United States

2. Goals of the Course • Expose Scouts to the foundation documents of the United States • Educate Scouts on the mechanisms of the United States Government • Executive, Legislative and Judicial • Powers each possess • Limits placed upon each • Inform Scouts on the relationships between the Federal and State governments • How they support each other • How they limit each other • Where decisions are made • Senate, House of Representatives, Executive • Financing the Federal Government Citizenship in the Nation

3. Goals of the Course - continued • Electoral College • Role • Function • Commonalities and Differences among the States • Voting • Right to Vote • Why certain citizens cannot vote • Political Parties • Roles • Functions • Benefit Citizenship in the Nation

4. Citizenship in the Nation – Requirements • After reading, discuss with your counselor the following documents: • Declaration of Independence • Preamble to the Constitution • Constitution • Bill of Rights • Amendments to the Constitution • Name the three branches of government and explain their functions. Explain the checks and balances on each branch of government. • Outline the relationships between state and federal governments. • Do ONE of the following: • Visit the National Capitol. • Visit your state capitol. • Tour a federal installation. Explain your experiences to your counselor. Citizenship in the Nation

5. Citizenship in the Nation - Requirements • Name your two senators and the congressman from your congressional district. Write a letter to one of these elected officials on a national issue sharing your view with him or her. Show your letter and any response to your counselor. • What are five important functions of your national government? Explain how these functions affect your family and local community. • Discuss the main ways by which our federal government is financed. Source: BSA Advancement ID#: 3 Pamphlet Revision Date: 1993Requirements last updated in 1984 Citizenship in the Nation

6. Founding Documents • Documents that influenced the Founding Fathers • Magna Carta • Mayflower Compact • Common Sense by Thomas Paine • Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison and others • Documents of our Nation • Declaration of Independence • Articles of Confederation • The United States Constitution • Preamble • Constitution • Bill of Rights • Amendments Citizenship in the Nation

7. Branches of the Federal Government • Three Branches of the Federal Government • Legislative • Makes the laws • Senate and House of Representatives - Bicameral • Executive • Enforces the laws • Executive Office, Cabinet, Attorney General, FBI, CIA, others • Judicial • Reviews the laws and how they are applied • Supreme Court, Federal Courts • Checks and Balances • What does it mean? • Each branch has certain powers and authority • No single branch has sufficient power to out-weigh the others • Can this change? • Not with a Constitutional Convention Citizenship in the Nation

8. Source: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/6-8/government/federalism2.html State vs. Federal Government • Government is setup to have specific limits • Federal Government controls all those items outlined in the US Constitution • State Government has jurisdiction over all those areas not specifically reserved by the US Constitution • Some are shared • How are the powers divided? Citizenship in the Nation

9. State vs. Federal Government • What powers are shared? • Collect taxes • Build roads • Borrow money • Establish courts • Make and enforce laws • Charter banks and corporations • Spend money for the general welfare (the public overall) • Take private property for public purposes, with just compensation Source: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/6-8/government/federalism2.html Citizenship in the Nation

10. Source: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/6-8/government/federalism2.html State vs. Federal Government • What powers are denied? • Neither the Federal nor State Government may contradict the following • Nor may they • Grant nobility (as England does) • Deny most people the right to vote – there are exceptions • Permit slavery Citizenship in the Nation

11. Road Trip! • Visit a Federal site • What are Federal sites? • Most any Federal Government building • IRS site in Chamblee • FAA Facilities throughout the region • Military installations • Atlanta, Forest Park, Marietta, Macon, Warner Robins, Columbus, Savannah, Augusta, Kings Bay • Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta • Post Offices and Mail Processing Facilities • Social Security Offices in Marietta, Gainesville and elsewhere • Where can I locate a Federal Site for a visit? • www.firstgov.gov • Blue Pages in the phone book Citizenship in the Nation

12. Tell me your thoughts! • Who represents me? • www.firstgov.gov can help you find the answer • Who is your Senator? • How many does Georgia have? • Who is your Representative? • How many does Georgia have? • How do you contact your Senator or Representative? • Office in Washington, D.C. • Local and Regional Offices • Call, write, email, carrier pigeon? • What can your elected officials help you with? • Constituent services are there to help with most any question • They can help you find the answer Citizenship in the Nation

13. Functions of the Federal Government • The US Constitution outlines 5 important functions • To establish justice • Protect the law-abiding and prosecute the law-breakers • To insure domestic tranquility • Live as you choose, within reason and not denying others the same • To provide for a common defense • Defend the nation and individuals • To promote general welfare • Provide for fair treatment of allcitizens and most others; promote the people,but not provide for them • To secure the blessings of liberty • Secure life, liberty and the pursuitof happiness as granted by their creator Thanks to: http://www.relia.net/~thedane/cn_functions.html Citizenship in the Nation

14. State Department Represents USGovernmentglobally Embassiesand Consulates Ambassadors in foreign lands Passports and Visas Commerce Regulation Securities& ExchangeCommission Banking & Financial Services International trade Defense Department US Forces in the United States US presence world wide Liaisons with other military forces world wide Postal System Functions of the Federal Government Citizenship in the Nation

15. Infrastructure Roads and Railways Airports and Air Traffic Control Telecommunications Waterways, Locks, Canals Laws and Judicial System Create Amend Others Departments Agriculture Food and Drug Administration Homeland Security Education Interior Energy Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development Treasury Labor Veterans Affairs Functions of the Federal Government Citizenship in the Nation

16. Show me the money! • How do we pay for all this? • Taxes • Income Taxes on people earning above a set wage • Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) – Medical • Other Federal Payroll Taxes • Tariffs and Duties • On Imported Goods • Fees • For specific services • Fines • For various infractions • Bonds • Issued in various forms • Backed by faith in the Federal Government’s ability to repay Citizenship in the Nation

17. Voting – Your Right as a Citizen • What about voting? • Electoral College • What is it? • Why does it matter? • Is it relevant? • Voting Rights • Who cannot vote? • Who can vote? • Political Parties • Why do we have them? • Are there only two? Citizenship in the Nation

18. Electoral College • What is the Electoral College? • Method of indirect popular election in the US • Intended to ensure deliberation would lead to the election of the best-qualified candidate • Voters in each State vote for a block of electors pledged to a candidate, who in turn vote for their candidate • Number of Electors determined by Congressional delegation • Why does it matter? • Provides for a balance of interest of populous cities/states against lesser populations • Forces relevancy of small, often rural areas, against large populations centers Sources: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/election/electoral.html and http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/electoral_college/faq.html#history Citizenship in the Nation

19. Source: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/electoral_college/faq.html#meaningful Electoral College • Is the Electoral College relevant? YES • Votes cast indirectly affect the Presidential election • Votes go for the Electorate, which generally lead to the election based on that State’s popular vote • Many people are calling for a straight popular vote for President • Especially after the 2000 election • Would require a Constitutional Amendment Citizenship in the Nation

20. Voting • Voting • Right to Vote • Guaranteed for all Citizens and Naturalized Citizens by the US Constitution • Cannot discriminate against those permitted to vote • Managed by states, defined at local levels (often the country) • Must register, but not always affiliate with a party • Many states, based on Federal guidelines, now allow people to register at many State/Federal government locations (DMV, Post Office, etc.) • Why certain citizens cannot vote • Felony convictions in most cases • In prison or similar • Can Non-Citizens vote? • No under current laws • Some states and politicians are beginning to look at measures to allow Non-Citizens to vote • School Board Elections • Local Elections • This issue is causing many people to question the rights of citizens and non-citizens alike Citizenship in the Nation

21. Political Parties • Political Parties • Roles • Allow people to identify with a group of generally similar interests • Unify sections of the population under a common theme • Functions • Provide common platforms for beliefs / conviction • Promote candidates • Benefit • Financial support • Party support offers a wide base Citizenship in the Nation

22. Political Parties • How many are there? • Many parties exist, some only in a few States • Generally 2 • Republican • Democratic • Other parties exist • Libertarian, Green, Consitutionalist • Independent candidates affiliate with no party • May shares views and ideas of various parties • May not wish to align at all with a party • Permissible under Federal and State laws • Some people and some elections are non-partisan • Some Mayoral and County Boards • They do get have any direct support from one party or another • They may get indirect support Citizenship in the Nation

23. Guest Speakers • The following people responded as willing to be considered as a guest speaker for this project Citizenship in the Nation