Vicodan the undiscovered country

In this day and age it would seem that everyone from the mail man to your grandmother is on something for one disorder or another. For all those little aches and pains, everyone gets from time to time. However, your truly has had to pleasure of experiencing the V drug this week, do to some tooth pain. I have been taking a drug called Darvocet. This little pain killer is like Vicodan’s little sister. How easy it would be to start taking this drug not just for pain, but to feel “better” all the time. On this and other types of painkillers, it is possible to function.
Are we all becoming the undiscovered addicts thanks to our doctors? I have not mentioned drugs for depression. With the drugs out now who wouldn’t want to be depressed. Now they are working on a pill to erase bad memories, how nice is that?
Drugged out, numbs out, and checked out. Don’t misunderstand me, of course there those who could not get through the day without them. That’s not whom I speak of, drugs can’t replace parenting or bad relationships.
But wait, now you can cut out the middle man and buy your drugs from over sea suppliers with a prescription. Now we all can dose and dose. All a kid has to do is use him mom’s or dad’s credit card, and presto he’s a dealer of scrip drugs. Don’t need dope or cocaine when there’ s Vicodan. According to www.drugabusehelp.com, Vicodin is a semisynthetic narcotic analgesic and antitussive with multiple actions qualitatively similar to those of codeine. Most of these involve the central nervous system and smooth muscle.
The precise mechanism of action of hydrocodone and other opiates is not known, although it is believed to relate to the existence of opiate receptors in the central nervous system. In addition to analgesia, narcotics may produce euphoria; drowsiness; lethargy; relaxation; difficulty in concentrating; decreased physical activity in some users and increased physical activity in others; mild anxiety or fear, and pupillary constriction.
This was the good, fun part, this is the bad part. Vicodin may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or perform any other potentially dangerous activities until you know how this drug affects you. Narcotics such as Vicodin may interfere with the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal conditions. Vicodin suppresses the cough reflex; therefore, be careful using Vicodin after an operation or if you have a lung disease. High doses of Vicodin may produce slowed breathing; if you are sensitive to this drug, you are more likely to experience this effect. Vicodin slows the nervous system. Alcohol can intensify this effect.
This website went on to discuss other symptoms. For regular Vicodin user abruptly stops taking Vicodin, withdrawal should begin within six to twelve hours. The intensity of withdrawal depends on the degree of the addiction, and symptoms are usually not life threatening. Typically,Vicodin withdrawal symptoms may intensify for twenty-four to seventy-two hours and then gradually decline over a period of seven to fourteen days. The symptoms of Vicodin withdrawal include but are not limited to:
restlessness, muscle pain, bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, goose bumps, involuntary leg movements, watery eyes, runny nose loss of appetite, irritability, panic, nausea, chills, and sweating.
In preparing this piece, I was unable to get a real number of how many people are addicted to vics in the U.S, but I can tell you it’s a lot. The recovery of drugged out America is we all of us.

If Wishing Made It So

How many times have you wished you could go back and change something if you could? Some moment out of time. This got me wondering maybe instead of wishing I could change the past, I paid a little more attention to the future.

As I think about it, changeable behaviors start to come to mind rather easily. Like think be opening my big mouth, don’t be so self centered, count to ten before blowing up at some one. All theses things could make my future a little better. Use fewer modifiers when I write. That would at least make the reading easier. Although there are moments in time I truly wish I could change, but can’t and I am left with the remorse of failing to act or acting too late. Some once said, “The world wouldn’t be a bad place if it weren’t for the people.” I don’t know about that, but the future and time are not completely out of our hands, we can control our selves to a point. We can step out of time and right a wrong, fix a broken heart or even mend a few fences. It all comes down to one thing, if we have the desire. Just don’t spend too much time in the past and forget to live the future. One simple lesson about the future I have learned is , in the passion and hast of the moment I choose not to act on impulse and leave the door open to use in the future, to put it another way it’s hard to put the bullets back in the gun once fired. However, if I choose not to fire, I can always fire it tomorrow.

The Federalist Papers;Merits of the Constitution

Coming soon a series on the the 85 essays of the Federalist papers and the men who wrote them.Alexander Hamilton,James Madison and John Jay.

State of Unemployment

 

As unemployment numbers rise along with fuel prices and everything else. I wanted to know the hard numbers of what the government’s definition of unemployment. Perhaps what they are including in their monthly numbers and what their leaving out. I felt a good place to start, in understanding of the jargon splashed over the evening news every night would by the bureau of Labor  Statistics. A branch of the United States Department of Labor.

 

The site is a one-stop-show for all information related to labor. Although I found the langue a little misleading in favor of making the administration look better. They weren’t able to hind the true we have all been feeling. According to The (Labor)Bureau, the unemployment situation as of April 2008 is good. 

 

The total number of unemployed workers was at a staggering 7.6 million. Up .8 percent over April 2008. The Bureau also reported job loss for the first three moths of the year 2008 totaled 240,000. (Labor)

 

Is there a silver lining to all this doom and gloom forecast? No really, unless you happen to be in the market for a lower paying part time job. As the Bureau went on to report in April part time jobs rose from 306,000 to 5.2 million. Which could be understood  as good news for a high school kid looking to off set his allowance , but for anyone trying make their bills or pay for their kids collage maybe not so much.

 

Works Cited

Labor, U.S Department of. Bureau of Labor Statics. April 2008. April 2008 <http://www.bls.gov/cps/home.htm#overview>.

 

 

Are the best days behind us?

A simple question, with a not so simple answer. Are the best days of America behind us? Are we slowly witnessing the decline of a once great nation? Or is there still hope, hope for new jobs and industry.New hope for better education, decline in crime or teen suicide. New hope for a justice system that seems to only care about dollars over justice. Or any other of the many seeming un-repairable problems facing all of us today. I dare anyone one to convince me of any solid hope, that America is not in a bottomless pit with no hope of return. I look forward to reading your argument , if anyone can make one.

Home Schooling ; is it for everyone?

Home schooling; providing a child’s main education program at home. Home schooling takes the place of full-time public education.

The argument over the best methods for teaching has raged for a long time. With each new generation come new arguments and ideas of what is best for our children. This is a complicated subject with valid points to be made by both sides of the education aisle.
Home schooling vs. Public schooling, it sounds like two heavyweight boxing champs squaring off for a big fight and that is exactly what it is. In one corner we have years of teaching experience with the public school teachers and faculty and some of the best resources for our children that money can buy. To the tune of six-thousand dollars on average per-student.

In the other corner we have dedicated parents that have for whatever reason found fault and dissatisfaction with the public school system and are fed up with what they feel to be a catalyzed approach to addressing their concerns about what is going on in the schools. To get a true picture of these two champions of education we must consider all the facts. Take into account the way we are dealing with the future of these children. We can’t lose sight of this fact, once we do and the politics of education and money takeover we’ve reduced the children to nothing more than pawns in a bad divorce.

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In fact, dissatisfaction with academic instruction makes up sixteen percent of home schooled students (N. C. Statistics). While others for religious reasons have chosen to avoid the system altogether and teach their children in a setting that supports their beliefs without ridicule. Religious reasons making up thirty percent of home schooled students. (N. C. Statistics, 1.1 Million Home schooled Students in the United States in 2003)
With others cited being concerns about the environment of the schools, thirty one percent. Physical and mental health problems at seven percent. Other reasons at nine percent and special needs children at seven percent. I must note that home schooling is legal in all fifty states, not attempting to educate your children is not. Keeping children home for the sake of having available labor on the farm is illegal without a foundation of education. In some cases, parents under the suspicion of neglect pull their children out of public schools under the falsehood of home schooling. Away from the prying eyes of the school authorities without ever intending to educate their children. Knowing or having suspicions about a person’s dishonest intentions is one thing, but proving it is another. The hardest thing to do is second guess a person’s sincerity and motives about their children. Just because a person’s ideals may not be inline with the “norm” doesn’t by it’s self constitute neglect. There is a fine line between action and intention.

While the public educators haven’t made it easy for families to home school with many obstacles in place. Such as in California, teachers of home-instruction programs must meet state certification requirements. State or local permission is required annually for home study. Home study must be monitored by local school administrative personnel knowledgeable about excellence in a learning environment. Students participate in state or locally mandated testing programs in suitable settings and in other assessments conducted by the school district.

Students have the option of attending public school for part-time instruction. Which allows the school district to claim full per-pupil funding with minimal attendance and overhead. (Education)

School policies and state laws overseeing truancy are getting stiffer along these lines. In addition, with the crack down by state authorities on schools lacking in their absenteeism are putting local schools at the mercy of a state medical excuse audit. Motivating school authorities to get more aggressive on unexcused abuses and hooky players. But public educators don’t always resort to intimidation tactics to defuse the rising home schooling movement, in some incidences they bribe families to return to the public schools with cash incentives. (Education)

However, this doesn’t tell the whole story, according to NHES, not all home schooled children are entirely home schooled. In 2003 eighteen percent of home schooled children were enrolled in a school part time. Twelve and half percent of the children were enrolled less than nine hours a week. Five percent were enrolled nine to twenty hours a week. The report did not state whether or not home schooled children were being taught exclusively by their parents or guardians or if a tutor was involved.

The evidence that home schooling works for some families (H. Statistics) are in the numbers. The average home schooled 8th grade student performs four grade levels above the national average. One in four home schooled students (24.5%) are enrolled one or more grades above age level. Students who have been home schooled their entire lives have the highest scholastic achievement. In every subject and at every grade level of the ITBS and TAP batteries, home schooled students scored significantly higher than their counterparts in public and private schools.

However, as home schooling becomes more popular with the availability of free online tutors, free computer equipment, and free educational material there are some things to consider before making a decision that may have an impact on your child for the rest of their life.

The first point to consider is a complete lifestyle change. Home schooling is a time consuming task. Remember, unless you can afford to hire a full-time tutor to help. You the parent accept the entire responsibility and work load for educating. If both parents work, that makes things even harder especially if your children are young. If you’re planning on leaving your job, be prepared for the financial sacrifice that comes with it. Home schooling will leave little personal time for yourself. Between homework, field trips and housework. Tutoring your child at home becomes your “new” full-time job. (Hernandez)
A well organized schedule is a good place to start, before you become overwhelmed with it all. Another important point is that both parents are in agreement with this decision. If parents are in disagreement, the problems caused by this friction only stands in the way of the child’s progress. If both parents are excited about home schooling the next question is: Will your child be as excited about it as you are? A willing student is helpful and avoids having to nail him or her to their desk and taking drastic measures to get the child to do their work. (Hernandez)

Time and time again people argue about the negative effect home schooling has on a child’s social development and learning social skills with other children their own age. These kids are not “shut off” from the rest of the world. Home schooled children and parents can stay active by joining associations of other home schooled parents. This is the ideal way to set up field trips and other social events with your children. Remembering to take it one day at a time and that home schooling isn’t a life time permanent commitment. Another point to consider is your own abilities, having the confidence that you can do well at teaching.

If after all the considerations, time, money and sacrifice you still would like to have a chance to make a difference in your child’s life there are plenty of resources out there to help you get started, stay out of trouble and to make your child’s home schooling the best it can be. There is even a legal website established for defending the rights of students and parents.

In the author’s experience with home schooling , there have been mailings sent out to Ohio residents about and encouraging parents to enroll their kids in the state program. I personally know a few families that have enrolled in home schooling. I have mixed feelings about this. In one case a single mother enrolled her teenage daughter, the mother worked all day and didn’t pay enough attention to her daughters activities. Soon the daughter hadn’t done any of the work and now will be returning to public school to redo the year. The second case involves another teenage girl who’s parents work all day. They too are having a hard time getting their daughter to do her work. And this family plans on having their thirteen year old son enroll in home schooling next year. Their son has a hard time in school and may even have certain learning disabilities.

In the final case of home schooled children I’ve seen personally involves a pair of brothers who are being taught by their mother. After spending some time in their home, it was plain to see that the boys were depressed. By their situation of home schooling or by something else it was unclear. What I did see was that there was no clear instructor for learning. The mother barked orders to the boys to do their work all through the day. Leaving no lines for the boys between work time and non work time. It all blended together.
The pro’s and con’s of public schools and home schools alike must be weighed carefully by the parents with their children’s best interest in mind. For my wife and I, we did consider home schooling for our son after a very bad year in elementary school. My son being only twelve
is a little young to be leaving him at home by himself. And we couldn’t afford to pay a babysitter/ tutor. But just ten miles down the road was a public school that was a breath of fresh air. With open enrollment in our area we moved my son there and couldn’t be happier.

Works Cited
Education, Foundation for Economic. Foundation for Economic Education. March 1998. 29 Nov 2007 .
Hernandez, Beverly. About.com. 3 Dec 2007 .
Statistics, Homeschooling. Homeschooling Statistics. 29 Nov 2007 .
Statistics, National Center for Education. 1.1 Million Home schooled Students in the United States in 2003. July 2004. 29 Nov 2007 .
. “1.1 Million Home schooled Students in the United States in 2003.” 2007.

Strength and Weakness of the American Political System

The American government has many powers and strengths at its disposal in which to govern this great country. One strength that stands out as one of it’s most fundamental is that the federal government shares sovereignty with the states and the Supreme Court balancing the rights of each. This sovereignty wasn’t always so. Early when the country was young most of all the power that had to do with government lied with the states leaving the federal government with little or no power to do anything. Although powers were spelled out in the Articles of the Confederation; the federal government had no means of carrying them out. The framers of the Constitution realized all too well the flaws of government, and set out to “balance the playing field”. With no intent of creating, a federal government that would dismantle the powers of the states, but rather to grant the federal government decisive powers to become a tangible entity. As the framers worked to write a workable constitution and the new federal government was born many heads of states, felt threatened that they would lose their grip of local affairs. Stripping local officials and heads of any powers was not what the framers ever had in mind. These brilliant men had the insight to grasp the big picture of what a controlling body of government should be. The constitution would become an instrument in which would be used to unite the country under one banner. To demonstrate this point, the new constitution would have to meet with approval by the states if it were to even survive. The framers although ignoring the direct intentions of congress in regards to even writing the document did not present the constitution as a “take it or leave it” proposal. Today, the federal government works with the states through many joint programs to help bring unity, strength, and service to the citizens of the United States. As parties take and give back position of various government positions, such as the White House, the degree in which the federal government participates in state and local affairs varies from time to time. Nevertheless, government stands to serve the people and only through cooperation can we hope to remain a united country. In contrast, as a great country possesses many strengths it also tries to overcome its weaknesses as well. One such weakness would be the sway of political leaders by major corporations of the United States and abroad. Foreign business should not play a financial role in the outcome of American elections or politics. Stronger amendments must be placed on the power “big” money can yield. If foreign corporations are permitted to influence candidates, they in turn can influence foreign policies that read in their favor. In turn, we as a nation must also reduce our borrowing from foreign interests. We can not freely express our nations wishes to a country that is the nation’s “banker”.

The Presidency and Congress

The Presidency and Congress“The Powers That Be”   

The Presidency of The United States of America encompasses one of the broadest abstract concepts of a division of power, responsibility, and separation of the individual from the Office of the President.

 

In other words, the presidency is a sought after, admired, impossible job of the government. The man who would be president must be all things to all people, not just of the United States but of the world. There is no clear line between responsibility and accountability of the office. In times of good fortune, the president has a high approval rating from his people. In times of trouble, he is also held responsible if he had anything to do with it or not.

 

The president must be able to divide his attention between many sides of many issues, understand the complexity of the workings of the federal government, and address the nation with a confidence and compassion expected of the leader of the free world. All with little or no sleep.

 

Among some of the duties and responsibilities of the presidency which are too many and complex to cover in a thousand word essay. I will attempt to touch on some of the most important and fundamental.

 

Such duties and powers include; national security powers where the president fills the roll of Commander in Chief of the armed forces. Which means the president can send troops in force anywhere in the world in various capacities with declaring war. (Patterson)  An official declaration of war cannot be declared by the president, but must be met with the approval of Congress, which we will touch on later in this paper. (Gpo)

 

Other powers possessed by the president is the making of treaties with other nations, again the senate must have the final word over the treaty. The president can also nominate ambassadors to foreign counties, and again with the majority approval of the Senate.

 

Which with all the needed approval by Congress, demonstrates the power of the check and balance system of the government. Which the framers concluded would be needed to maintain a balance of power among the different branches of government. Although this system sometimes gets in the way of expedient government and adds the bureaucratic paperwork that goes along with it, it is a “necessary evil”.

 

As the Congress is bestowed with powers to make laws it is the executive’s job to see the laws are faithfully executed (Article II, Section 3 of the US Constitution). The president has the power to appoint heads of each of the executive branch departments as chiefs of the government, along with Supreme Court justices of course with the agreement of the majority of Congress. Among the president’s judicial powers are that he can grant reprieves and pardons for federal crimes.

 

As Congress holds great power over the decisions of the president, the president himself holds great power over the decisions of Congress with his power to veto. Which is the power to say no to a piece of legislation put in front of him for approval before it can be made law. The veto comes in many forms such as the “pocket veto” and “put it in a drawer veto”.

 

Of course, the Congress can override a presidential veto, but it is not easy and almost never happens. The president being the head of the executive branch of the government lends him many freedoms to express the ideas he feels would make good policies for the country. Where Congress, House and Senate leaders, must be at the mercy of their party majority to meet with any success, not to mention trying to get a bill out of committee.

 

However, a president that must face down a hostile congress, which has direct control over the money he spends on paperclips, has a tough job ahead of him. This would be why it is so important that the president’s party hold on to every seat they can. Even then, not all the president’s ideas will be met with great support from his own party.

 

As we turn, our attention to the powers and duties of the congress besides the ones mentioned above the congressman and women have said to be better at narrow decision than making the broad ones. A member of either house has a tough job now more than ever before faced with an increase of work. A growing population and split loyalties between the party, the people back home they swear to serve, and the pressures from lobbyists of big business. The congressman of today must answer to all without showing any favoritism to any. So how do our elected officials survive?

 

As a mix of people with different backgrounds and different ideas and loyalties come together to form the congress, there is often times partisan arguing and bickering, and accusatory statements that are asking the same questions that you and I are? What many benefit one minority group may not be the greatest for another.

 

With that being said how does congress ever get anything done? Through, and some use this word loosely bi-partisan cooperation. Which means they must give and take to get some of what they want even if it means a logroll vote. The art of compromise is a skill that is needed if anyone is to survive the freshman year in congress. (Gpo)

            To be clear the U.S. Congress is made up of two parts, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress’s primary duty is to write, debate, and pass bills, which are then passed on to the President for approval or veto. Other powers of Congress include making laws; controlling trade between states and between the United States and other countries, making laws about taxes and borrowing money, most importantly congress approves the making of money. (Gpo)Each Congress lasts for two years where as the president is elected for four years. When the two years are over, new members of Congress are elected or current members are re-elected. We are currently in the 110th Congress. Congress meets once every year and usually lasts from January 3rd to July 31st, but in special cases, it can last longer. (Gpo)The states are represented in the House and the Senate differently. When the framers drafted the Constitution, there were debates over how states would be represented. States with larger populations wanted more representation than states with smaller populations. Meanwhile, states with smaller populations favored equal representation. A compromise was made. Representation in the Senate would be equal, while representation in the House would be based on population. (Tastey) Congress is made up of 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 members of the Senate. Congress also possesses the power to remove federal officials from office by impeachment. The biggest being the president. Another important duty of the Congress is to administer the District of Colombia (D.C), which is the home of the federal government, which is not a state, and which has drew attention lately over the district’s voting rights. (Tastey)Some duties and powers of congress cannot be performed jointly, that is (Tastey), only the House of Representatives may initiate bills concerning taxes, and tolls, and only the Senate may confirm presidential appointments to federal offices try impeachments or confirm treaties with other nations. (Tastey)The complexities of our government are not fully understood by the masses, although most of all the average citizens have a working knowledge of what the president and congress do. They might not understand the everyday difficulties of each of the perspective jobs. Many Americans like being arm chair critics of the government but they themselves would not care to muster the courage to face a congressional hearing or have to make the decision that would put thousands of young men and women in harms way in order to preserve democracy in the world. The fact that America in spite of itself has maintained the same form of government and Constitution for over two hundred years is a testament to the spirit, courage, and united cause.    

Works Cited

Gpo. Ben’s guide to government. Jan 2007 <http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/national/congress.html>.Patterson, Thomas E. The American Democracy. New York : Mcgraw – Hill, 1990. 39-49.Tastey, Tony. Everthing2. Tues Oct 2001. Jan 2007 <http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node=Congress>.

Principles of Government

Principles of Government

 

            In our government the three paramount principles of government are; the separations of powers, the system of checks and balances, and the protection of the rights of citizens through the Bill of Rights. 

 

            The first, the separation of powers meaning that no one branch of government shall be more powerful than the others. This principle stands as one of the most important ideals still enforced and respected in government. With each branch of the government wheeling tremendous power and influence and the elected parties trying to enforce their own ideas of the “perfect” form of this government it is more important than ever that no one branch become too powerful, if this were to happen tyranny would soon follow.

 

            The second important principle in government is the system of checks and balances. Which means the system of divided authority provided by the constitution as a means of controlling the power of government. No one-branch institution can act decisively without the support of the others. The Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches are built with an overlap of power. This overlap of power allows each branch to check the powers of the others and balance these powers against its own. In principle, the right hand always knows what the left hand is doing.

 

            Lastly, the principles spelled out in the Bill of Rights in which all of our liberties hinge. The Bill of Rights is the written protection from infringement by the government with probable cause. Every citizen of the country falls under its protection. Some of these principles are spelled out clearly and others are under debate to their exact meaning still today. For example, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. These are among two that have fallen under great scrutiny over the last five years. With the government arguing that restriction to these freedoms falls under the heading of national security. And, that gives them the right to place limits on them. On the other hand, should the news have and be able to broadcast troop movements and battle plans in a time of war? Possibly, putting hundreds of lives at stake? Is that what the framers had in mind? Should this principle of freedom be reconstructed to take in account 21st century problems the original created?

 

            These same arguments can be applied to the freedom of the press with a few more added. With the induction of the internet, is the freedom of the press taking it too far? Do people really have the right to put bomb recipes and porn in the hands of a child protected under the constitution?

 

When this freedom no longer remains exclusively in the hands of the press? In a time when everyone is a desktop publisher, can this freedom be abused to spread propaganda and undermine a nation from within? Some would argue that these freedoms are at the core of what makes America great without ever taking into account the inherited risks in living in a free society. Will these principles of freedom some day be our undoing? 

United States Constitution

United States Constitution“Charter of the people for the people”

Introduction: This essay will address three points starting with what compromise was necessary to secure the ratification[1] of the U.S Constitution, how granting powers by the constitution[2] supports federalism and how over time the Constitution has been altered to grant more authority to the people.

On May 14, 1787, The Federal Convention convened. The official order of business as ordered by congress at the time was revising the standing document of law called The Articles of Confederation.

In the State House in Philadelphia, the birth of a new nation and new government would take place. Fifty-five out of the 74 invited delegates of the convention did so with intent to completely ignore the orders of the weak congress, which at the time had very little power over anything. Forge a new constitution of law if this young country was to survive. With members in attendance such as the reluctant George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison the convention showed promise of accomplishing this great task. (Archives)

On Tuesday morning May 29 the unification was suddenly put at risk with what would spark a serious of some of the passionate debates of the convention. With the introduction of the Virginia Plan soon followed by The New Jersey Plan followed by the Hamilton Plan.

Each plan bringing to the table an air of suspicion and self interest. The delegates debated for weeks over the proposed plans before reaching what is now known as The Great Compromise. Which stated that a two Chamber Congress would be created: The House of Representatives and the Senate. (Patterson)

This milestone satisfied the smaller states by offering equal representation. With the rough frame worked out and the debate over slavery concluded. More work lied ahead for the ratification of the constitution if it were to become a living document. With the problem of not being authorized to draw up the document in the first place, the constitution stood a real chance of being defeated. With the current law stated first any amendments would have to be approved in Congress and by all thirteen states. In a brave move, the delegates wrote their own ratification plan. They ordered Congress to send the document directly to the states where it could become law if approved by only nine of the thirteen.

Nevertheless, the Constitution faced stiff opposition by a group called anti-federalists whose strongest argument was the document had no Bill of Rights. By January 9, 1788, five of the nine states needed, approved the draft. However, with the addition of the amendment set forth by the state convention the Constitution met with victory on April 28. (Archives)

Wager2

Through the induction of the new Constitution, the framers set up an elaborate mechanism of the distribution of power of the new government. By granting the much needed authority of power, they were able to create what we know today as the Federal Government. The word federal meaning; a form of government in which a union of states recognize a central authority. (Publishing) By the definition, the constitution is written approval of authority granting powers specifically, in Article I, Section 8. The granting of all seventeen powers came by means of granted and inherited powers. These powers granted by the Constitution would allow the Federal Government to coin money, establish a post office and raise an Army and Navy just to name a few. With these powers came additional inherited powers such as being able to decide who may join the Army. (Mount)

Other levels of powers included cooperation with the states. In fact, reserved powers lied completely with the states, such as powers to provide fire and police protection to its citizens. Thirdly concurrent powers held by both the Federal Government and the states. For example, both are empowered to tax, construct, and maintain roads and spending for general welfare. (Mount)

The framers of the Constitution also saw fit to include language specific to the denial of powers. The denial of power was to be a built in safe guard to prevent the Federal Government from becoming too powerful and to prevent the destruction of liberty.

The Constitution of The United States of America stands as a pillar to the world as a supreme democracy. In the years since its ratification, the Constitution has gone through many changes. With a total of 27 amendments to date aimed at granting or insuring the rights and additional powers of its citizens. Among them, Amendment XXVI, which states a citizen eighteen years old or older, shall not be denied the right to vote because of age. The XIX Amendment states the right to vote shall not be denied based on sex. Which lead the way for the women’s vote and one giant step in fulfilling the dreams of the framers of the Constitution for liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness.

Works Cited

Archives, The National. The National Archives Experince. 23 Dec 2007 <http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/charters_of_freedom_8.html>.Mount, Steve. “The U.S Constitution Online.” The U.S Constitution Online. 23 Dec 2007 <http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_fedr.html>.Patterson, Thomas E. The American Democracy. New York : Mcgraw – Hill, 1990. 39-49.Publishing, Dell. The American Heritage Dictionary Thrid edition. New York: Dell Publishing, 1994.

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1To approve of.

2The system of laws and principles that prescribe the function and limits of a government.

Cited: The American Heritage Dictionary Third Edition, Dell Publishing 1994