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TAMU POLS 207 - The Origins of Concern with Government II
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Forms of GovernmentUnitaryUnitary government controls the states and other partiesMakes sure they have no moneyConfederacyThis type governed Texas during the Civil WarFound out that it didn’t workState did not have enough money to quell a rebellion by farmers.Federal powers were weak under the Confederacy, so the Federalists won.FederalismSystem of shared powersFederal government that is responsible to the people and the people are responsible to the state government – which is in turn responsible to the federal government.This has remained due to its viability as a democracy.Federal ResponsibilitiesFederal government has sole powers over:National defenseEnsure superpower statusProtect the nationSpace programLinked to national defenseTechnologies developed out of this are used by the militaryPostal serviceInefficient service that is making billions of dollars of lossesThey are cutting out their Saturday delivery service. Businesses are very unhappy about this.Shared ResponsibilitiesWelfareMultiple types of programs for welfareCan include food stamps etc.Reducing the number of people living in poverty.Employment servicesFederal government is giving grants to states to help people get back to work.Professionals that help you with your resume, interview skills, how to dress etc.Unemployment compensationNot available to those who have been fired.If you lose your job due to company cutting back on costs, recession and other problems then you can apply for unemployment compensation.State ResponsibilitiesEducationDivided by state and localState governments historically paid more but it has now switched to mainly local government funding.Highways and transportationRoad maintenancePublic transportSuch as trains and busesCuts down on traffic congestion in big citiesTexas is poor at providing public transportationThis is due to special interest groups such as Oil companiesHealthSanitationGarbage disposal, clean water, etc.Landfills always cause controversy because no one wants to live near one.US does not recycle a lot because it is viewed as inefficient and we don’t believe in global warming.FireFunded by city governmentFire stations cannot be too extravagant because they are paid for by local taxesTherefore more spending on this = more taxes for you.PoliceMajor spending for TexasJudges in some states faced corruption charges due to them accepting bribes for placing people in prisonThis was due to the privatization of the prisonsAlso led to judges increasing jail terms to provide more moneyPurposes of ConstitutionsTexas has had 7 constitutions due to its differing government controls; places such as Spain, the Confederacy. Present Constitution was decided in 1876.LegitimacyProvides rules to followTrustworthyOrganizing GovernmentDifferent branches of governmentSeparation of powersProviding PowerDistributes power among branchesGives power to the executiveLegislative to amend the constitution, propose bills etc.Limiting Governmental PowerStops government changing the rulesThey can only do what is written in the ConstitutionVery American thing to have a ConstitutionConstitution is sacred to many Americans.State ConstitutionsBill of RightsIn Texas this is article 1So it all about your rights in TexasEducation is a basic rightSupreme Court ruled against putting to death a mentally-disabled personState’s duty to protect them.Redundant with federal guarantees on the most part: freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly. constitutions are more than rules, they are also fundamental statements of philosophy and principles.Separation of Powers3 branches and the checks and balancesState’s emphasize legislative power over executive powerHowever, executive power has increased in the states.Local GovernmentsState’s create the local governmentsThey have their own elections but turnout is extremely lowDon’t have many dealings with local officials.The Present Texas ConstitutionGeneral Features:The Texas Constitution contains a preamble and sixteen articles.Because the Constitution contains many details of policy and governmental organization to avoid abuse of governmental powers and to protect various private interests, it is a long and poorly organized document.The Constitution reflects the time of its writing, an era of strong conservative, agrarian interests and reaction to carpetbag rule.‘Carpetbaggers’ are Northerners who came down to take advantage of the opportunities of the South.It contains many unenforceable provisions, known as deadwood, that conflict with the national Constitution.Example: State constitution is that officials should believe in a supreme being – but the National Constitution states a freedom of religion. So there is a conflict.The Constitution’s 432 amendments by the end of 2003 have been necessary due to the restrictive character of the document but they have produced a Constitution that is poorly organized, difficult to read and interpret, and the second longest constitution in the nation.Now it is nearly 500 amendments.The longest constitution is Alabama’sSpecific feature:The Texas Constitution is similar in many ways to the U.S. Constitution.Each government has executive, legislative, and judicial branches.Both are separation of power systems.Both include provisions against unequal or arbitrary government action.The two Constitutions differ with regard to providing power to government.The national Constitution is much more flexible in allowing government to act than is the state Constitution.Number of amendments is positively related to State constitution length. The longer the constitution the more amendments.GOVERNMENT REVENUES AND EXPENDITURESUSA has a low tax rate compared to GDP in relation to similar performing democracies.Asians that are immigrating to America are moving from paying no taxes to America where you had to. People do not move because of taxes!Revenues and Expenditures2007, taxes paid to all governments were 30% of personal income $12,6502007, government spent $15,200 per personThis means there is a deficit – DEBT.Redistributing IncomeUser or Client pay—user pays for any goods and services receivedAbility to pay– govt. uses taxes to fund programs such as educationPrivate Goods and Public GoodsExcludable—only those who pay gets the goodsNon-rivaling– everybody can use without denying to othersMerit good– goods which should not be denied to people who cannot pay for them like public education, transportation, healthcare


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TAMU POLS 207 - The Origins of Concern with Government II

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