What do you think the government should do about it?

Directions: Choose one of the topics below. Write a 3 to 4-page paper clearly and cogently answering the question or questions posed.

Question Options:

Question 1

Americans have been accused of “constitutional fetishism,” or excessive adoration of the U.S. Constitution. To a minority of political scientists, lawyers, and constitutional theorists, however, uncritical celebration of the U.S. Constitution has blinded us to the Constitution’s abundant deficiencies, leading to a cult of “American exceptionalism”…the notion that American institutions are the best that any democracy has to offer and, despite over two hundred years of intervening history, are not in need of any fundamental change. In this cult, the “Founding Fathers” play the role of demi-gods (a description coined by Thomas Jefferson) and the U.S. Constitution itself plays the role of idol.
Read the followings essay by respected Constitutional Law professor Sandi Levinson, who represents this position. Is our constitution a Golden Calf? Is he right? Would you sign the Constitution?

Sandi Levinson, “Why I Would Not Sign the Constitution”

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/commentary/20030923_levinson.html

Question 2

The Electoral College played a dramatically controversial role in determining the 2000, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections. Assess the following argument:

“The Electoral College is an embarrassment to America’s democracy. Designed by elitists to insulate the Presidency from popular influence, it has worked to frustrate majority rule in this country. The United States cannot be considered a model democracy when, in contrast to other democracies, it doesn’t even let the people directly choose the one official who is supposed to speak for all Americans. It should be junked immediately.”

Do you agree or disagree? More important, why do you agree or disagree? Be specific.

Question 3

To varying degrees, many individuals see immigration as a source of great strength for the United States or as a grave threat. An estimated 10-12 million illegal immigrants reside in this country, many of them in Texas and most from Mexico. Repeated attempts to pass more strict immigration bills in the U.S. House and Senate failed but generated enormous popular support and enormous opposition rallies. Is illegal immigration a threat to or benefit for the country? What do you think the government should do about it? Don’t just give opinions. Provide specific evidence.

Question 4

The United States is the only democracy that permits the use of the death penalty. Should it? What are the strongest arguments for and against the death penalty? The U.S. Supreme Court has so far upheld capital punishment’s legality under the 8th Amendment, but increasingly limited its application in a variety of cases. Others argue it is a clear violation of that amendment’s prohibition of “cruel and unusual punishment.”

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