Assignment #2

1.  What does Federalism mean by definition and what does Federalism mean to you?
 
Answer #1: Federalism is a system of government in which a written constitution divides the powers of government on a territorial basis between a central, or national, government and several regional governments, usually called states or provinces. I'm really not sure what it means to me but all i know is that there are laws made for minors and older people but most of the minors get away with them like smoking for example. Thats all i really know about federalism.

2.  List and describe the three powers of the National Government.
Answer #2: 1) Delegated Powers- it has only those poers delegated (granted) to it in the constitution. 2) Expressed Powers are delegated to the National Government in many words expressed in the constitution. These powers are also sometimes called  the "enumerated powers." 3) Implied power is found in one of the expressed powers. Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 gives congress the "necessary and proper power."

3.  Explain the division of powers and why it is important?

Answer #3: The division of powers is the basic principal of federalism; the constitutional provisions by which governmentalpowerss are divided on a geographic basis. It is important because it assigns certain powers to the National Government and certain powers to the States. This division of powers was implied in the original Constitution and then spelled out in the Bill of Rights: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States repectively, or to the people." - 10th Amendment

4.  What is the Supremacy Clause and what is its function?

Answer #4: "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding." The Supremacy Clause has been called the 'linchpin of the Constitution" because it joins the National Government and the States into a single governmental unit, a federal government. In other words, The Supremacy Clause holds together the complex sructure that is the American federal system.

5.  Find a site on the Internet that deals with Federalism.  Take 10 minutes and review that site.  Provide the link and provide some of the useful information that you found to help you better understand what Federalism is and how it works.

Website: http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/rightsandfreedoms/a/federalism.htm

Answer #5: The U.S. Constitution establishes a government based on "federalism," or the sharing of power between the national, and state (and local) governments. England and France have a power-sharing form of government, which is the opposite of "centralized" governments. Each of the 50 states has its own constitution. All provisions of state constitutions must comply with the U.S. Constitution.

Some of the exclusive powers of National Government that are reserved to them are: Print money (bills and coins), Declare war, Establish an army and navy, Enter into treaties with foreign governments, Regulate commerce between states and international trade, Establish post offices and issue postage, and make laws necessary to enforce the Constitution.

Some of the powers that are reserved to the State Government are: Establish local governments, Issue licenses (driver, hunting, marriage, etc.), Regulate intrastate (within the state) commerce, Conduct elections, Ratify amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Provide for public health and safety, Exercise powers neither delegated to the national government or prohibited from the states by the U.S., and Constitution (For example, setting legal drinking and smoking ages.)