Professional Documents
Culture Documents
- the bill is sent back to the Congress; the President must explain his refusal in a detailed report. -the Congress can override a veto when 2/3 of the House of Repres. and Senate go against the Presidents decision. - the President can pocket the bill ->pocket veto -If the Congress is adjourned (in concediu), in between 24 Dec. and 4 Jan., the bill is killed. PRESIDENTIAL qualifications - The President and Vice-President are the only officials elected by the entire country - He must be at least 35 years old; a natural-born American; must have lived in USA for 15 years - He can serve 2 terms, 4 years each PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2 phase process: 1) Party conventions - held during summer; following the campaign, a candidate for presidency and vicepresidency is elected - they shouldnt be from the same state 2) Electoral college - each state has as many electors as congressmen - the electors pledge to vote for the candidate who obtained the largest nr. of votes in the state - the electors votes certified by the states are sent to the Congress, to be counted (6 Jan.) - the new President is inaugurated on 20 Jan. 3)TDepartments and executive agencies: The members are the Presidents closest advisors Will attend weekly meetings with the President The Cabinet includes the Vice-President and the heads of 15 executive Departments The 15 Depts. are appointed by the President and must be confirmed by a majority voice of the Senate
- US Court of Appeals - US District Courts Special Courts Court in session/recess: They meet in Washington D.C. Start their activity in October, until June-July 2 week intervals: - they hear cases - they consider the cases
Types of jurisdiction 1) Original: cases affecting Ambassadors, States or public Ministers and Consuls 2) Appellate jurisdiction: if a person is dissatisfied with the decision issued by a lower court, can take his case here Civi/criminal cases: - Civil disputes between individuals or organizations - Criminal if a defendant is found innocent in a criminal proceeding, he cant be retried Steps in a trial: - Try to settle out of court - File in suit (a inainta plangerea) - Discovery - Pre-trial motions and discussion - Trial and judgment - appeals
- Civil liberty, power to the people - Favored close ties with France - Well represented in the S and W 1) THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY Origin: the Democratic Republican Party, founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Marison (1792) The economy issue: - Since the 1890s, they favoured farmers, laborers, labor unions (sindicate) and opposed unregulated business and finance - Favored progressive income taxes - Favored higher minimum wage and regular increases in order to assist the financially disadvantaged The social issue: - Favored religious and ethnic minorities by advocating civil liberties, social freedom, equal rights, affirmative action, fiscal responsibility - Believe that the Government should play a decisive role in alleviating poverty and social injustice - They call for affordable and quality health care - Believe that all women should have access to birth control - Support equal opportunity for all Americans regardless on their sex, age, race, sexual orientation etc - College education publicly funded, and universities should impose low tuition fees The environment: - Side with environmentalists, favor the conservation of natural resources, and strong environmental laws against pollution 2) THE REPUBLICAN PARTY Founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists and modernizers Rose to prominence with the election of Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican President They presided the American Civil War and the Reconstruction period The economy issue: - More socially conservative and economically libertarian - Support lower taxes and limited government interventions - Emphasize the role of corporate and personal decision making in creating economic prosperity - They favor free-market policies supporting business, economic liberalism and limited regulation - Oppose increases in the minimal wage as they consider that this principle increases unemployment and discourage business The social issue: - Agree that there should be a safety net to assist the financially disadvantaged, but believe that the private sector is more effective in helping the poor than the federal government - As a result, they support private charitable organizations rather than Government welfare spending 5
Oppose abortion on religious or moral grounds and the legalization for gay marriage. Displace 2 types of conservatism: 1) Western conservatives advocate little govt intervention 2) Southern conservatives less concerned with economics, and more involved with religious/moral issues
need-based Low-interest loans for students (dobanda mica) Welfare: $400 billion annually, headed to single mothers Taxes imposed on tobacco companies, go to welfare