Hi again , We are removing this document from the materials. If you have time would like to make corrections/changes to it, we’d appreciate it.
So you feel this a document like this actually serves a purpose? Is there some other way to frame this or discuss this that would be better? Is a comparison necessary at this grade level?
After reading it through it, I certainly agree with most of your thoughts, and need to find the original document to see what the author said and what our editor may have changed it to! I think we need a different pool of people helping on the government materials!
Linda
I wrote the following to her (I borrowed some thought from this board):
On 2/18/03 9:12 PM:
I hope that you are not teaching this to our children.
The errors on this pages are numerous and unfathomable. I'll list a few.
American System = Democracy
Actually, The United States of America is NOT a Democracy, it is a Representative Republic. The word "democracy" does not exist in any of our founding documents.
A democracy is based on balancing the power between each branch of the government so that one branch is not so powerful that it is able to control the whole.
uh, no....a democracy is basically mob rule In a democracy, the people meet and exercise the government in person; in a republic they assemble and administer it by their representatives and agents. - Madison, Federalist #14.
Furthermore the Constitution mandates a Republic as the form of government, not a Democracy:
Constitution Article IV Section. 4: The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.
The President "is the only branch of the government that can declare war".
From the United Stated Consitition: Clause 11: To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
The President "can veto laws passed by the Legislature".
The Legislature does not pass laws, they pass bills, which become Law when the President signs the bill, ignores the bill for 30 days or vetos the bill and the bill is overridden by 2/3 majority of congress to become law.
The Legislature "makes and passes laws".
Again, it passes bills that may become a law.
The Legislature "has no judicial power except for investigation".
Close, but you should include that the Congress has the power to impeach and try members of the Executive and Judicial Branches.
I'm certainly glad that they listened.