The American Government Questions

The American Government Questions

1. What do you think would happen to state employment if the federal government decided that, rather than passing laws and making states carry them out, it would simply give the states responsibility for a major social program such as welfare? Provide at least two (2) examples of what might happen in this situation.

The federal government is responsible for controlling the entire nation. As such, general laws are passed by the state whereby upon approval, they are passed over to the states. This ensures uniformity, at the same time preventing conflicting rules. At the same time, the federal government directly controls the states using regulations (Cammisa, 2018). This limits the revenue they generate as the federal government controls it. In a situation whereby the state is given control, there will be more funds for the state to spend. As such, employment will significantly increase. This is because the state will be in a position to come up with many development programs. At the same time, it will also carry out expansion of the existing programs as the funds are abundant. Many people will be hired to fill in the existing gaps in the new industries. The social programs will need more resources to operate. At this point, the state may suffer due to lack of sufficient funds to run the welfare operations.

1. In a situation like this, why might state employment levels go up, even when federal activity might be going down? Provide at least one (1) reason with support.

State are smaller institutions hence more comfortable to manage compared to the nation. As such, in a situation whereby a state is allowed to govern itself, there are chances of implementing supportive laws. Institutions thrive by having a supportive system. In this case, businesses would thrive at the same time creating employment for many people. The state would equally have a significant source of revenue (Cammisa, 2018). The state government is limited by the federal government through regulations, thus curbing factors such as employment. Federal activity, on the other hand, would reduce significantly as it will no longer regulate states.

3. Do federal grants represent an appropriate percentage of the total federal budget and gross domestic product (GDP)? Explain, providing at least one (1) supporting fact.

Federal grants are a representation of the appropriate percentage and total federal budget and gross domestic product. An example is the year 2011. In this financial year, the federal government provided $607 billion. The money was given in the form of grants. It was allocated to state governments and local governments (Cammisa, 2018). In the end, the allocated funds amounted to 17 per cent of the final federal expenditure. This was also 4 per cent of the total gross domestic product. At the same time, it was a quarter of what the state and local governments had spent.

4. Describe two (2) circumstances under which speech might legitimately be suppressed. Provide one (1) original example for each circumstance.

The balance of conflicting rights is tough to manage. The constitution allows people to speak without being violated. This is because an attempt to disallow them to speak is seen as a way of judging their facts (Mitchell, 2016). However, there are situations whereby a speech may be suppressed. An example is if it involves hate speech. Another case whereby an address may be suppressed is when it is offensive and violent towards others. These types of speeches are not protected by the constitution as free speeches hence can be suppressed.

5. Do some types of speech deserve more constitutional protection than others? If so, describe one (1) type that deserves the most protection and one (1) type that deserves the least.

Some types of speech do require more constitutional protection compared to others. The constitution protects press speeches that are not insightful. On the other hand, obscene and fighting words speeches are not protected by the law.

6. Describe two (2) advantages and two (2) disadvantages of a free, uncensored flow of information and images.

It is a fast way of communicating. It is cheap for both the senders and receivers. It also provides people with the ability to retrieve information within a short time. The disadvantages are that it allows room for sending false information; false information can reach people within a concise time as no regulations are conducted. Once the information has been submitted, nothing can be done; thus, people end up getting false information in most cases.