Assignment #2

1.  What does Federalism mean by definition and what does Federalism mean to you?

-Federalism is a political concept that means all the members are bound together by some sort of agreement.  To me, the idea of Federalism is that as a country, we should all band together and agree to be great..  Which isn't exactly happening in this country..

2.  List and describe the three powers of the National Government.

 -The legislative branch has the powers to,
*Coin Money
*Establish Post Offices and Roads
*Issue Patents
*Declare War
*Raise and Support Armies

-The Executive Branch has the powers to,
*Chief Diplomats in Forgien afairs
*Military Commander in Chief
*Deal with Congress

-Judicial Branch has the power to,
*Create New laws
*Strike Bills down as unconstitutional

3. The division of powers was created so that this country would never fall victim to an unruly government such as the one's in 16th Century England, or that of Nazi Germany.  In it, there are three branches to the national government.  Each serves a specific purpose.  The Legislative branch deals with passing laws and regulations, The Executive oversees Legislative but can be denied by Legislative, and the judicial branch deals with the Legality of Bills and declaring things unconstitutional or not.  There are set checks and balances built into this form of government making it hard for any one branch to gain too much power.

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

-The Supremacy Clause in an article that gives the constitution supreme authority over all of America.  It functions to run the country in the way set by the fore fathers.

5. http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_fedr.html
-This site talks more about how federalism works and what it is like in America.  It is very nice to see the easy step by step laid out in the website.