Does Congress have to much power?

Does congress have to much power today and if so what power would you take away.  And if you think congress has to little power what new powers would you give them

Responsibility By Corina Flake

When I was seven, my cousins, siblings, and I created a small country of our own. For our government, we had a King or a Queen. The first leader was my older sister.

Being a Queen in our country was different than being a queen in real life. The Queen (or King) had three councillors, who helped her decide on what laws were helpful, and which laws were destructive. The Queen had virtually no power. Everyone voted for what they thought was right. Everyone had a say in the way the country was run. Almost the only reason the Queen existed was because sometimes fights broke out between the 'citizens,' such as (from a disagreement between two brothers) -

Kid A: "I had a dream last night that we were all sitting next to a fire." Kid B: "I had a dream last night that we were all standing next to a fire." Kid A: "You stole my dream. Copycat." Kid B: "I did not! That was my dream!" *Fighting*

There really was no reason to have our Queen other than the fact that sometimes, little kids fight. Otherwise, the ruling and decisions were left up to the people. If a squabble came up about a law, the Queen had the final decision. She was the referee. The mediator.

We prospered in the land, everything was bountiful, squabbles were few, it was a wonderful time. After three years, that time ended.

Someone mentioned the idea that we could have a new Queen. The idea! We all talked about it. Everyone seemed to be on the the same page: If I were leader, I could do so much!

We decided that anyone under the age of eight would lead us astray terribly, and an adult would take away all imagination from the country, so we made a law (through a vote) that a person had to be eight to eighteen to be a leader.

After some motivational speeches about how I would be so good at being a leader because I know more about the way a government is run than you, and I can stop fights in a flash, we voted a person into office. The person was me.

I hated the idea of councillors. Why, I was nine years old! I could handle this. I eliminated the system, and now there was a single power. Me. I treated everyone like servants. Please get me this. Could you please do this? Thank you, but I actually wanted this - could you ask Grandma if that would be okay? Eventually I got more demanding. I need this now. Do it. Harder. You have to do better than that. Stop.

Obviously, the citizens overthrew me. My regime lasted four hours and thirteen minutes. After another brief vote, my cousin Sophie got into office.

She decided that our old system was too old fashioned. She eliminated a system at all, other than one person - her - being the leader. She became the dictator.

Two other cousins, my sister and I began a revolution. Thus started the three-year-war.

All of this easily could have been avoided.

The reason our country fell was because we destroyed two things, the first being power by a large group. Without power by a large group, you have a dictator. With too large a group, you have anarchy. You need to find a balance between to the two to have a solid structure.

The second idea destroyed was structure and system. Without that, you have, once again, dictatorship or anarchy. A balance between the two is what you need. This balance is what I call Congress.

Congress is moved and pushed to making different laws by the people. I don't think Congress needs more or less power; the Constitution laid it out well and without many flaws. Although no system is perfect, this is as close to perfect as we can get. The thing it needs is responsibility by the people. John Adams once said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Congress is fine. I think the minds and moralities of the people need to be changed. When the people are moral and good, the government will be, too.

From Something So Simple

From Something So Simple By Corina Flake

Somethimes I feel tiny and insignificant. I feel as though government and adults and others like them are the ones to really make a change. I'm not old enough to vote. I can't become president. I can't become a congressperson. I can't go into the supreme court. I'm just a kid! I have really no influence at all!

I can, however, state my opinion! I can say what I think, and that idea could take hold in someone's brain. That idea could grow. They could say it so someone else, sharpening it as they did so. That idea, though unlikely, could become huge!

Then the president would have to listen to the idea, or else how would he get re-elected? The congresspeople would have to listen to the idea, or else how would they get re-elected? The supreme court members would have to listen to the idea, or else why would the president choose them for being on the supreme court?

I would have mady a difference, for stating a raw idea. Multiple times, obviously, but when I state an idea, live by it, know my rights, use my rights to help push the idea forward and all in all work to make the idea more than an idea, and instead an action, people will notice. I would have started something.

From something so simple.

America and Me

By Emerson Becker

There are three factors of freedom I think American citizens need to develop: being moral, educated, and keeping the constitution safe. If all American citizens were moral, America would prosper for centuries. We need to be concerned and educated about the revolution and the government. The constitution is one factor of freedom we have but we are letting it slip away. 

One factor of freedom that the people of America need to establish is being moral. Being moral is not seeking for power and riches. It's being good and choosing to do right. Our country needs moral people to have a good government and a good free country. In the Freedom Factorgood morals are something Mr. Mannington doesn't have. He deceives and lies to gain power. He wanted to be a puppet master of the people in the government. George Washington had good morals. He didn't want to be in control instead he wanted the country to be free and independent. A big part of freedom is having morality.

Being educated about laws, government, and the constitution is one of the factors of freedom America needs to develop. Our rights and freedoms are being squandered by our government and those in office. Many Americans are not concerned about this aspect of our country. Mike Dice, who is an internet personality, interviews people on the streets about our laws, our constitution, our president, and our government. It is crazy how much people don't about the laws and the government or about the founding fathers and what it took to build our country.. In the Freedom Factor Bryce Sherwood learns how the constitution preserves our liberty. We could make our country great if we were educated about laws, government, and the constitution.

The constitution is a strong factor of our freedom here in America. The constitution restrains those who would not let others have their freedom. It restrains people like Mr. Taylor from Mr. Smith goes to Washington who use congressmen to satisfy their will. The Constitution magnifies our freedom. The government would be different without the constitution because the constitution is the guidelines of our government. The constitution is one of the strongest factors of our American freedom. 

Morality, education, and saving the constitution are freedom factors that apply to America and me.

What factors of freedom do I need to develop in your life to increase my personal freedom? 

By Shaun Leahy

In a world where freedom is treated as a privilege not a right, I must protect my right. But what is freedom to me? Freedom has many personal means to others but, to me freedom is simply having the right to be who I want to be and do what I need to do. But how would I increase my personal freedom? When I just a kid? Well, as a kid you can do things such as become trust worthy to you parents and they will give you more freedom. You can wash the dishes after diner or clean the family room. But these are things that you can do right now to increase your freedom there are many things you can do to make sure that are free forever and continue to be free your whole life such as educate yourself so you will know when you are being oppressed and what freedom truly is. I notice that that the title of this paper is about developing my freedom. I agree with that because you cannot be given you freedom no one has can truly own another human. When American slaves where "freed” I didn't just happened it was fought for, it was developed, freedom cannot be given to another because it is something that person already owns, they just don't know it. The way that I am going to develop my personal freedom is by be aware that it is MY freedom it is my birth right to be free as is it everyone's and I want the world to know that they are free but first I must develop my own personal freedom. To increase mypersonal freedom I have to be aware that I am free and so are you.

The Chance by
Corina Flake

America. It brings to mind an idea. That idea is something that every person in every time at some point in their life has wanted, needed, or in rare cases, had.  To be free is a God-given right, and we as people, from everywhere, no matter our upbringing or lifestyle, desire. America gives this chance to people. America gives people their lust for a way out, through hard work. So many people have been blessed and helped by freedom. This is why America is different. Because we have a dream that we work for.

America has one of the only governments to be governed by the people. The people choose the government officials. The people have the power. This adds to freedom. People want to be in charge. They want to be heard. It's a natural human tendancy. And America gives everyone a chance. This is why America is different. Because we make a councious effort to give everyone a chance.

But most of all, we work. That's the heart of it. Hard work, persistance, working to continue the effort. And that is what makes America different. The chance - the duty! - to come somewhere free and work to keep your freedom. That is what makes my country different: the chance of a new life if you truly want it.

Why is America different?

By Jenna Worley

I believe that the foundation of a government is the first and foremost important aspect of any nation; laws and principles should never be arbitrary or unsupported, but rather they should have a logical and orderly pattern. The foundation of the American government is the Constitution of the United States; strong consideration and sincere intentions went into the composing of this document in the hopes that it would "promote the general welfare” of a newborn country for centuries to come.

However, virtuous and honorable leaders might be just as vital to the nation's well being as it's framework because all of the principles and laws within the Constitution need to be kept, not simply neglected. Worthy leaders are those who desire for the constant improvement of a people's situation, security, health and domestic felicity.

The kind of government that can adhere to its standards of morality and teaches uncorrupted values is what makes a country stand out as an example for others, a torch lighting the way. If you want to know how to benefit your country, then read study the Constitution so that you may teach others the value of freedom and as you teach, try to see through the eyes of the valiant men and women who's vision of this country was not based on its present state, but on its potential for strength and virtue.

What Makes America Different?

By Clarence

The biggest thing in my opinion that makes America different is We, the People; the American people is what makes us as a nation different. Right from the beginning with the Pilgrims, Americans were thirsting for freedom, and they continued to. The American revolutionaries and founders also thirsted for freedom and they found a way to preserve that freedom "for themselves and their posterity”. That way was our new and different system of government.

     All over the world there were corrupt and tyrannical kings, emperors and dictators, but in America the founders were tired of tyrants, tired of their rights being abused, so they decided to try something different. They "brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” It was a new government, a true republic, based on the system of equal rights and equal representation but not necessarily equal things. 

     Today some other nations have followed the example of the United States to a degree, but almost none have quite the same system, and almost none have had anywhere near the success we've had with our system. Many other nations have presidents, prime-ministers, and parliaments, etc., but they don't have the limited government, separation of powers, or checks and balances that our constitution provides. 

     As for why this form of government works so well and has lasted so long, I think that is because our constitution is written down, not just a pile of laws and no constitution at all like some other nations. Also it is very difficult to amend, requiring a two-thirds majority of both houses to pass, and three-quarters of the states must also ratify amendments. But perhaps the biggest reason is that it is a "government of the people, by the people, and for the people”, and if we all do our part to keep it that way it will not perish from the earth. 

Laws and Leadership

By Emerson Becker

America and its government are different from other nations past and present. America is a country of mixed culture. The citizens of America have the opportunity to vote on laws and leadership.

America is different because we have a mixed culture, a three branch government, and God needs it to be. America is made up of serval different cultures we don't really have cultural dances or songs because America is made up of many different people and cultures. Our government is another thing that makes our country different. We have a three branch government, which other countries don't have. Another reason that America isdifferent from the rest of the world is because God needs it to be. Mixed culture, our government and God is what makes our country different.

Government in America is different from other nations because we have a three branch government, we don't have a monarchy, and there are no heirs to the throne. Our government has three branches the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. With three branches to hold power, no one branch can hoard all the power. We don't have a monarchy and since we don't have a monarchy there are no heirs to the throne like in England. We elect our presidents. A three branch government, no monarchy, and no heirs to the throne are what make our country different.

American government has lasted for as long as it has because we have a written constitution, elected president, and citizens vote on laws and leadership. The USA is one of the few places that have a written constitution. The people also have access to the constitution to study it. I believe our government has lasted as long as it has because the presidents are only in office for 4-8years. Instead of a king who would rule his whole life time. In Being George Washington it talks about how when America won the revolutionary war they wanted George Washington to be their king. He would not. So it is because of George Washington that American government has lasted so long. Another reason is that citizens of America vote on the laws and the leadership. American government has lasted so long is because of we have a written constitution, the presidents have a limited amount of time in office, and the citizens of America vote on the laws and leadership.

Our government is different from other nations because we don't have a monarchy. We have a three branch government so no branch has all the power. America is different because we have a mixed culture. American government has lasted for 228 years because American citizens can vote on the laws and the leadership. 

America

Katheryn Kidd

The American government is different from the governments of other nations. America has a written constitution, and many other countries do not. We have more freedom than other countries do. America is concerned with the rights of its peoples. Not all countries are. Our American government has lasted a very long time. This may be because our constitution is a good document and has created a good and just government.

Our constitution is fairly short. It is detailed enough to make the system work but short enough to be accessible. America is a republic, and always has been, so it is rule by law. It was born out of a need of fairness and freedom. It determines how laws will be made and how they will be kept and how they can be changed. It is also flexible so that as the needs of the people change so does the government.

There are many different types of government. There are republics, democracies, dictatorships, and communism. But no other government is like America's. Other republics or democracies have severe taxes, which go to free healthcare, and education but, you don't get to make many decisions. Some countries have no leader or government at all, and are in complete chaos. Or they do have leaders or governments but they are corrupt and sometimes violent.

America is different from all of the other countries. It is "the land of the free and home of the brave” and no other country can say that. America has a just and flexible government and a strong constitution to keep it running smoothly.