Tag: Clinical-Nursing

Powers/Roles of the President

The U.S. Constitution provides the President 
limited power
 and the executive shares power with the U.S. Congress. The 
President and Congress will share power
 in such areas as the making of law and treaties, Presidential appointments, and war. This has often caused tension between these two branches of government. We will look at this area of shared power in more detail later on in the lesson.

First of all, you need to understand that while the U.S. Congress has “legislative power”, the President has:

“executive power”
 – – 
power to carry out and enforce the law (See
 Article II, section 1, U.S. Constitution)

Once the U.S. Congress passes a piece of legislation and the President signs the bill into law, the President must:

carry out the new federal program (such as, the Medicare Prescription Drug Program for Seniors);

ensure that the law is enforced when individuals violate the law.

Shown in the image is President Trump signing an order related to the Keystone Pipeline.

Executive power also provides the President with 
emergency power
s
 and this gives the President the ability to take action to address a crisis. For example, during World War II, President Roosevelt ordered certain businesses to produce products for the war effort.

The express powers and duties of the President are outlined in the U.S. Constitution in 
Article II, sections II and III and in Article I, section 7
 (veto power)
(See U.S. Constitution).

Let us examine some of the powers of the President.

 

 

Commander-in-Chief

The U.S. Constitution makes the President 
:

Commander-in-Chief
 of all the armed forces, including the states’ National Guard when called up for service by the President. (See Article II, section 2, U.S. Constitution)

The President does not “declare war”; however, 
he can “make war” or conduct military operations
 with the assistance of his Secretary of Defense. Generally, the U.S. Congress will declare war and the President will wage the war. The U.S. Congress will provide the funding for the military operations.

However, since World War II, Presidents have sent troops to engage in military missions abroad 
without a formal declaration of war by the U.S. Congress
 
.
 The President, if his believes that U.S. national security or the security of our allies is threatened, can send troops to engage in military operations abroad. He does not need to ask the permission of the U.S. Congress to do so. He is fully acting within his power as 
Commander-in-Chief
. However, when a President believes it is necessary to put U.S. troops in harms way, he will most often notify the U.S. Congress within forty-eight (48) hours as required under the 
War Power Resolution of 1973
.

Did the U.S. Congress declare war on terrorists after 9/11 or when the President sent troops to Iraq?

The President’s power to engage troops in military missions abroad
can be checked by the U.S. Congress
. As mentioned above, Congress can simply 
stop funding
 military operations and the troops will have to come home. The U.S. Congress, at the end of the Vietnam War, worked to limit the President’s authority to engage in military missions abroad without a Congressional declaration of war. It passed the 
War Power Resolution of 1973
 that outlines when a President can commit troops and requires that if a President sends troops abroad, that they must be brought home within 
60 days
 if the U.S. Congress does not authorize the military mission.

Note: No President has recognized the constitutionality of the War Powers Resolution, although they do comply with the law’s notification requirements.

Pardon Power

Under the U.S. Constitution 
, the President can:

exercise his pardon power
 (
See Article II, section 2
) and pardon those individuals who have committed federal, not state, crimes.

Through this power, the President can wipe a convicted felon’s record clean or he can even use it if an individual has not been convicted of a federal crime, as in the case of President Ford pardoning former President Richard Nixon. Nixon had not been charged of any crime before Ford pardoned him. It was very controversial, this use of the pardon power; however, it is important to understand that the President’s choice of whom to pardon can not be challenged in the courts.

What is 
not
 permissible is that there be a 
“quid pro quo”
 
involved in securing the pardon. Currently, there is an Grand Jury meeting in New York investigating whether or not there were favors given or promises made to individuals who were pardoned or failed to be pardoned by former President Clinton.

Most often, 
the pardon power is used by the government to show mercy
 
and once an individual has served time and demonstrated that he has taken steps to rehabilitate himself, the convicted felon can request a pardon.

Did former President Bill Clinton pardon a fugitive from the law?

Did former President Bush pardon Scooter Libby?

A President can not exercise the pardon power where an individual has gone through the impeachment process and has been “convicted and removed” from public office. There was a question, during Clinton’s impeachment trial of whether or not, if the President knew that he would be convicted by the U.S. Senate of an impeachable offense(s), would he be able to pardon himself right before the vote – – before he was removed from office.

This remains a question to be addressed by constitutional scholars and the courts. What we do know is that if he had been charged by the U.S. Justice Department with perjury in giving a civil deposition in the Paula Jones’ sexual harassment case, that President G. W. Bush would have had the power to pardon Clinton. But would Bush have pardoned Clinton – – who knows? There was discussion among the “talking heads” in the media that he might have pardoned the former President.

Power to Negotiate Treaties

A power that the President shares with the U.S. Congress is in the area of treaty making. 
Article II, section 2
states:

“the President shall “have the power by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate to make Treaties provided that two-thirds of the Senate present concur”
 (U.S. Constitution).

As discussed in the Lessons on the U.S. Congress,the President can negotiate a 
treaty
 – – a formal agreement between two or more sovereign nations, but the U.S. Senate must review the terms of the treaty and provide 2/3rds support for it to have the force of law.

There are other types of international agreements that are negotiated by the President, known as 
executive agreements
 that 
do not require 2/3rds vote of support by the U.S. Senate
. Some executive agreements only need majority support in both houses, such as, international trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Executive agreements were found constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1937 and have been entered into since President George Washington’s Administration.

Shown here is President Jimmy Carter is flanked by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat after signing the Camp David Accords September 17, 1978.

After Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Finland and Sweden sought admission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), with Finland joining NATO in 2023 and Sweden most recently in March 7,  2024.  NATO was founded on April 4, 1949 and the North Atlanta Treaty was signed in Washington, D. C. with the United States as a signatory to the treaty.  With Sweden’s admission to NATO, there are 32 members of NATO.   NATO will celebrate its 75th Anniversary in Washington, D. C. in the summer 2024.  To read President Biden’s statement on Sweden’s admission to NATO, go to: 
Statement from President Joe Biden Welcoming Sweden to NATO | The White House
 .

Appointment Power

Another power shared with the U.S. Congress, as mentioned earlier, is the President’s 
appointment power
. Article II, section 2, also states that

“by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, [the President} shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, judges of the [S]upreme Court, and other Officers of the United States” 
(U.S. Constitution).

Presidents can choose whom they wish — individuals who share their views to head up the 
Executive or Cabinet level Departments
 and 
federal agencies
 
; 
however, the U.S. Senate must determine if they are qualified to fill the office. The President can 
nominate individuals 
who share his judicial philosophy to 
sit on the federal bench
 – – lower federal courts or U.S. Supreme Court as well as individuals who would 
serve as U.S. Ambassadors
, like former Congressman Tony Hall (D-OH), to head up the U.S. Mission to the U.N. Agency on Food and Agriculture in Rome.

One of President Trump’s nominees, Rex Tillerson, is shown at his swearing in.

Is President Obama’s use of his

“Recess Appointment” power

constitutional?

 

Didn’t former President Bush have

problems getting some of his judicial

nominees confirmed by the U.S. Senate?

 

Veto Power

A power of the President not found in Article II of the U.S Constitution, but in 
Article I, section 7 
is the 
President’s veto power.
 The framers of the U.S. Constitution wanted the President to have a role in the legislative process – -lawmaking process.

When the U.S. Congress passes a piece of federal legislation, the bill is sent to the President’s desk. The President can either sign the bill into law or he can veto it – – 
“reject” the bill and send it back
, as the U.S. Constitution requires, where the bill was first introduced. He generally sends a “veto message” to the members of Congress explaining his reasons for vetoing the bill. He may simply believe a part of the bill or the entire bill is not in the best interest of the American people. The U.S. Congress can override the President’s veto with 2/3rds vote in each house of Congress. The bill would upon the U.S. Congress’s action, become law.

 

Are veto overrides rare or is it easy

to override a President’s veto?

 

As the U.S. Constitution states he has 10 days to sign the bill (except 
Sundays)
 
and if he fails to act, the bill becomes law without his signature
.

 

Wait a minute! Why would a

President wait until the time had

passed and let a bill become a law?

 

 

If the U.S. Congress adjourns sometime in that 10-day period – -goes home – – the bill dies 
.
 This is known as a 
pocket veto.

Yes. In his remaining hours in office, President Bill Clinton pardoned fugitive from the law, Marc Rich, who owed the United States Government a considerable amount of money in back taxes. Rich is still evading federal law enforcement and is currently residing in Switzerland.

This is the first time the pardon power was used in this way. Also, in the 11th hour of his Administration, former President Clinton pardoned 140 individuals, including Patty Hearst, Roger Clinton, his step-brother, and Susan McDougal, former Whitewater partner who served time for contempt of court when she declined to answer questions regarding her Whitewater real estate dealings with President and Mrs. Clinton.

Did former President Bush pardon Scooter Libby?

No. On July 2, 2007, President Bush commuted Scooter Libby’s sentence. He did not pardon him, but exercised the power of reprieve. Libby’s case is an excellent example of the President’s use of his power of reprieve under Article II, section 2. Libby will still have a large fine to pay and he must fulfill his probation requirements. Although there is some legal question as to whether Libby will have to fulfill the requirements of his probation (since his sentence was commuted and his probation is tied to it). His record was not “wiped clean” with the President’s action, like it would have been if Libby had been pardoned.

President explained why he gave executive clemency to Scooter Libby:

“Mr. Libby was sentenced to thirty months of prison, two years of probation, and a $250,000 fine. In making the sentencing decision, the district court rejected the advice of the probation office, which recommended a lesser sentence and the consideration of factors that could have led to a sentence of home confinement or probation.

I respect the jury’s verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby’s sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison.

My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting.

The Constitution gives the President the power of clemency to be used when he deems it to be warranted. It is my judgment that a commutation of the prison term in Mr. Libby’s case is an appropriate exercise of this power (Mr. Libby was sentenced to thirty months of prison, two years of probation, and a $250,000 fine. In making the sentencing decision, the district court rejected the advice of the probation office, which recommended a lesser sentence and the consideration of factors that could have led to a sentence of home confinement or probation.

I respect the jury’s verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby’s sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison.

My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting.

The Constitution gives the President the power of clemency to be used when he deems it to be warranted. It is my judgment that a commutation of the prison term in Mr. Libby’s case is an appropriate exercise of this power (Mr. Libby was sentenced to thirty months of prison, two years of probation, and a $250,000 fine. In making the sentencing decision, the district court rejected the advice of the probation office, which recommended a lesser sentence and the consideration of factors that could have led to a sentence of home confinement or probation.

I respect the jury’s verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby’s sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison (
Statement by the President on Executive Clemency for Lewis Libby
)

How is the Federal Bureaucracy Organized?

The American federal bureaucracy is made up of:

executive departments

independent agencies

government regulatory boards

government corporations

Heads of Executive or Cabinet-level departments are members of the President’s Cabinet, while heads of independent agencies, like NASA or the U.S. Post Office, have a certain amount of independence, but are still fully accountable to the President and to the American people.

There are regulatory boards, like the Federal Reserve Board where the Chairman, a political appointee of the President, holds the office for a specific length of time and works on setting monetary policy as outlined in the law creating his office. Government Corporations, like the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), work independently as well, but under guidelines set forth by the federal government.

During the remainder of the lesson I will 
focus only on the Executive Departments
 and reference the independent agencies, government regulatory boards, and government corporations as 
“other federal agencies.”

Shown at right is Jerome Powell who took office as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve February 5, 2018.

 

Who Heads Up the Cabinet-level Departments?

When a President completes his term of office, individuals who head up the Cabinet-level departments and “other federal agencies 
“generally”
 turn in their resignation to the outgoing President. There are 
some exceptions
. For example, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve does not have to turn in his resignation if his term has not yet expired and if the new President has not asked him to step down. Also, individuals who head up the intelligence agencies need not submit their resignations immediately and will do so when their term of office expires or when the President asks them to step aside. Most political appointees will stay in their current position under the President’s choice is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

However, Cabinet-level Department Secretaries and the U.S. Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice and sub-cabinet officials, such as an Undersecretary or Bureau Chief, do submit their resignations. They do this so that the new President can use his appointment power to nominate individuals who share his views and who have the ability and experience to manage a large department or agency.

The new President will submit the names of his Cabinet-level nominees (including those to head the “other federal agencies”) to the U.S. Senate. The U.S. Senate will provide its “advice and consent” and decide whether the nominees are qualified to head up a Cabinet-level department or “other federal agency.”

To view a Cabinet meeting during the Obama Administration, you can view the video: Inside the White House: The Cabinet
:

What are the Responsibilities of the Secretaries, Undersecretaries, and Bureau Chiefs?

The responsibilities of Cabinet-level Department Secretaries and U.S. Attorney General are:

 

Political appointee of President and
 must be 
confirmed by U.S. Senate
;

“Serves at the will and pleasure”
 of the President;

Develops and promotes public policy initiatives
 (domestic or international). The Cabinet Secretaries and the U.S. Attorney General would essentially be working to put the “meat on the bones” of the President’s foreign and domestic agenda;

Acts as “spokesperson” for the department.
 For example, Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, promotes U.S. foreign policy. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, advocates the President’s K-12 and Higher Education policies. They continue to promote his domestic and foreign/international policies through public appearances. They are the public face of their departments.

Supervises the administration of federal programs within their department.  
Cabinet secretaries and the Attorney General supervise political appointees and civilian and military personnel carry out and enforce the laws that come under the purview of their department.

 

Proposes a budget for the Executive (Cabinet-level) Department and submit it to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
 The department and federal agency heads must annually propose a budget outlining proposed spending for the federal programs under their department or agency’s jurisdiction to carry out and proposed funding for operating their departments and agencies. For example: The U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, would propose funding for programs under the direction of the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and the U.S. Marshals Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) (some non-law enforcement programs), and for the United States Attorney’s Office. In his budget, he would also outline the proposed costs for keeping the lights on, the lawn mowed, and for general maintenance costs at the Department of Justice, and its bureaus.

The Cabinet Secretaries and Attorney General, and federal agencies heads would then submit their proposed budgets for the upcoming government year to OMB.

The 
Direc
tor of OMB
 is Russell T. Vought.  To learn more about Russ Vought, go to 
Russell T. Vought, OMB Director
.

The Director of OMB would review their budgets and make sure that they meet the President’s priorities and funding levels. Once all of the departments and federal agencies’ proposed budgets are submitted to OMB they will be reviewed by the Director and approved by the President and then complied into what is know as the 
Federal Budget
.

The President must submit his Federal Budget to the U.S. Congress on the 
first Monday of February
. This is required by law (the President has submitted his last four proposed Federal Budgets after this deadline). The Congress will then review the President’s Budget and invite the Secretaries and Bureau Chiefs to come before the House and Senate Budget Committees to defend the President’s Budget priorities.

 

 Has President Trump submitted his budget to Congress for FY 2026?

Before looking at the responsibilities of the Undersecretaries and Bureau Chiefs, let us first take time to examine President Joseph Biden’s Federal Budget for FY 2025 and the Federal Budget process.

 

President Biden’s Budget for FY 2025
:

$7.266 trillion in 
proposed spending
 
for federal programs and all federal agencies, including Cabinet-level Departments.

$5.485 trillion in 
anticipated revenue
 
(obtained from individual income taxes, corporate tax, FICA (Social Security tax), and Medicare tax as well as excise taxes on gasoline and tobacco).

$1.781 trillion = 
Deficit  

$29.984 trillion dollars = Public Debt 

$37.097 trillion = Total Federal Debt

 

 

Textual Description of Image

To fully understand the Federal Budget you must know the definitions of these important terms:

discretionary spending

mandatory spending

Discretionary spending
 covers defense spending and most of the federal programs we hear about like funding for homeland security, highways, cleaning up the environment, education, national parks, space program, public housing, food and meat inspection, Congresspersons and their staff’s salaries, Amtrak etc. Discretionary programs are ultimately 
authorized and appropriated by the U.S. Congress each year through enactment of the 13 appropriations bills 
.

Mandatory spending 
which includes Social Security, Medicare, Federal pensions, farm subsidies, SSI, Food Stamps, Unemployment Insurance, and Medicaid as well as interest on the federal debt all must be paid out of federal taxes. The U.S. Congress does not annually appropriate dollars for these programs. The necessary funding is released out of the U.S. Treasury each government year to cover the costs of these 
“entitlement programs.”
 While interest on the debt is part of mandatory spending, it is 
not 
an entitlement, and interest must be paid each year by the U.S. Government to holders of U.S. Treasuries.

Balanced Budget
: federal spending equals (=) government revenue, e.g., taxes

Deficit
: federal spending is greater than (>) government revenue

Surplus
: federal spending is less than (<) government revenue Public debt : surplus minus (-) sum (+) of deficits or “Government debt, also known as public debt, or national debt, is the debt owed by a central government.  (OER,Economic Policy, Federal Debt).”   See the National Debt Clock by going to   https://www.usdebtclock.org/ . Total Federal Debt:  public debt + debt held by the government (OER, Economic Policy, Federal Debt).   Textual Description of Image In his proposed Federal Budget, the President must also outline how much revenue he anticipates will be needed to cover proposed federal spending  for the upcoming government year, and identify the sources of that “anticipated revenue.” In FY 2025, the President anticipates revenue from the following sources: Individual Income Taxes, Social Security taxes, Corporate taxes, Estate and Gift taxes, Customs Duties, Excise Taxes, and Deposits of earnings to the Federal Reserve System. Textual Description of Image   To compare the Federal Budget for FY 2025 with previous Federal Budgets click on the links below: Federal Budget for FY 2026 Federal Budget for FY 2025 Federal Budget for FY 2024 Federal Budget for FY 2023 Federal Budget for FY 2022 Federal Budget for FY 2021 Federal Budget for FY 2020 Federal Budget for FY 2019 Federal Budget for FY 2018 Federal Budget for FY 2017 Federal Budget for FY 2016 Federal Budget for FY 2015 Federal Budget for FY 2014 Federal Budget for FY 2013 Federal Budget for FY 2012 Federal Budget for FY 2011 Federal Budget for FY 2010 Federal Budget for FY 2009 Federal Budget for FY 2008  Federal Budget for FY 2007 For more information on the Federal Budget , go to: Office of Management and Budget To learn more about the History of the White House, click on the link below: The White House Click on the link below to see photographs of all of the current Secretaries / Attorney General: President Biden’s Cabinet     Responsibilities of the Undersecretary or Deputy Secretary of a Cabinet-level Department The responsibilities of the Undersecretary or Deputy Secretary are: Political appointee of the President and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate; “Serves at the will and pleasure” of the President; Carries the administrative load for the Secretary  . For example, the Undersecretary would assist the Secretary in developing policy initiatives, preparation of the department’s budget, and with selecting personnel for political appointments; Helps run the every day operations of the department  . For example , former Undersecretary of State for Arms Control, John Bolton, helped former President G. W. Bush negotiate arms control treaties. Sometimes there are a number of Undersecretaries in a Cabinet-level Department that have different policy responsibilities, like Undersecretary Bolten did at the U.S. Department of State.     Responsibilities of Bureau Chiefs The responsibilities of the Bureau Chiefs are: Political appointee of President and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate; “Serves at the will and pleasure” of the President; Directs major federal program within the bureau ; Directly supervises the federal employees who work within the bureau. For example , Christopher Wray, Director of the FBI, would direct the FBI to carry out counterintelligence programs and enforce federal laws like RICO and Patriot Act. He would be responsible for supervising the FBI agents and would be directly accountable to the President.

What is the Federal Bureaucracy?

An administrative group of non elected officials charged with implementing the policies created by the other branches of government

What does the term “federal bureaucracy” make you think of when you hear it? Federal regulations? Red tape? Government waste and fraud?

Have you ever thought about:

who creates the federal agencies?

who gives the federal agencies their authority to carry out and enforce federal laws?

who are federal employees?

what are federal regulations?

The American federal bureaucracy is sometimes referred to as the 
“
4th branch of government
“
 because of its shear size, responsibilities, and power it has over the daily lives of Americans. If you pay federal taxes, travel to a national park, like Yellowstone, purchase treasury bonds, receive a Social Security check, or are currently on Medicare, or simply go to the post office, you have had some contact with the federal bureaucracy. Businesses must also closely review the 
Federal Register
 to seeing if any proposed or final regulations impact their business.

The image at right is depicting FEMA helping citizens after a natural disaster.

Some of my students may be currently serving or in the past have served in the military and in a civilian position within one of the fifteen (15) Executive Departments and in the more than fifty (50) independent federal agencies. Students may also have family members who are currently employed or have formerly worked in the federal government.

Other students may wish to join the military or work in one of the Cabinet-level departments like the U.S. Department of Justice, Homeland Security or in one of the independent agencies, like NASA, and would be interested in knowing who to contact for employment and the process for hiring and firing of federal workers.

In this lesson, I hope to give you insight into the inner workings of the federal bureaucracy, as well as knowledge of how to obtain gainful employment in the federal government.

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Why does the President of the United States have the Power to Direct the Actions of the Federal Agencies, Including his Executive or Cabinet-level Departments?

As you are aware, the President of the United States has the power under Article II of the U.S. Constitution to 
“faithfully execute the laws” 
passed by the U.S. Congress. The President has the responsibility to carry out and enforce the laws.

Congress creates the federal agencies to help the President carry out and enforce federal laws it has enacted. The federal agencies, including the Cabinet-level departments, their political appointees and civilian and military personnel make up the federal bureaucracy. For example after 9/11, Congress created in 2002, the 
Department for Homeland Security 
to help the President more efficiently and effectively protect the United States against domestic terrorism through implementation and enforcement of immigration, border and airport security, and customs related federal laws.

Federal agencies must make sure that all federal laws are carried out and enforced as Congress intended and those individuals who head them up or work in them are accountable to the President and to Congress and ultimately to the American people. The Federal Bureaucracy

What is the Definition of Bureaucracy
?

“An administrative group of non elected officials charged with implementing the policies created by the other branches of government.” (Khan Academy, 2020)

Often, the iron triangle is used to describe the bureaucracy as it is a almost a pyramid shape hierarchy. Khan further describes the iron triangle as a relationship between a bureaucrat, interest group, and a committee of Congress that all work on similar issues.

In short, in the federal agencies, power flows from the top down and in order to ensure fairness and efficiency, federal employees have to follow certain rules and procedures. Individuals who work in the civil service are protected from being fired by federal law and military personnel are subject to the U.S. Code of Military Justice.

If you are a 
“political appointee”
 like our Cabinet Secretaries, for example, President Obama may fire you without cause because you 
“serve at the will and pleasure”
 of the President. Former President G. W. Bush could have “let go” former Secretary of State, Condi Rice, because the President did not like her hair style or because she wore dress boots. This did not happen, but no one would question a President’s authority to dismiss her for such minor transgressions. However, if something so unlikely did occur to a political appointee, would he have civil service protections like the federal civilian employees under his supervision? No. Poltical appointees cannot turn to the 
Federal Merit Protection Board
 for help in reinstating their job or for back wages if they believed they were “fired without cause.”

The image shows Condi Rice in Germany with American Troops in Germany on February 23, 2005.

What is the Definition of a Bureaucrat?

Often bureaucrats are long-time career government employees. They generally work under the executive branch in one of the many cabinet level departments. These include the National Parks Service and FBI (
US History 8c
).

Federal civilian personnel have often been characterized as “paper pushers,” and creators of government waste, but most federal workers are hard-working individuals who do their best to serve the American people and their President.

Today there are approximately 4 million federal workers – – 2.7 million federal civilian workers and 1.4 million military personnel (
US History 8c
). Most federal civilian workers do 
not 
work in Washington, D.C., but across the United States.

In Dayton, Ohio, you can find federal employees at Wright Pat Air Force Base and in the Federal Building downtown. If you need the assistance of federal law enforcement, or help in securing a small business loan, or help getting your social security check, you can contact your 
local
federal government offices. The Federal Bureaucracy.

POLITICAL PARTIES Discussion Activity 4

Discussion Activity 4: 
POLITICAL PARTIES (20 points)

Research two political party platforms and present the two political parties’ positions on an issue, e.g. Republican Party vs. Democratic Party position on abortion. You will look for similarities or differences in party platform positions.

You must use the party websites and locate the recent Party Platforms
. At the GOP Presidential Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the delegates adopted the 2024 GOP platform, 
RNC2024-Platform.pdf (gop.com).

To find the
 Democratic Party’s 2024 platform 
adopted at the August 2024 Democratic Presidential Convention in Chicago, Illinois, please go to 
FINAL MASTER PLATFORM (democrats.org).

If you are interested in learning more about other minor parties or 3rd parties 2024 platforms, just go online and check their party websites, e.g. Libertarian Party, Green Party, and Reform Party.

After doing your research, you will present your two political parties’ positions stated in the 2024 party platform to your classmates at the Discussion Forum, “The Monocle.”
 
Please include in your response the party platform web page addresses that you used.

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Your posted response must be no more than two (2) paragraphs in length. Note that party positions on the economy and homeland security for example are fairly long. So for example, if you choose to compare or contrast the Republican and Democrat Party’s positions on the economy, just choose one aspect of the economy like taxes. Remember you only have two paragraphs for both parties!

Discussion Activity 5:
 
ELECTORAL COLLEGE

POLITICAL PARTIES Discussion Activity 4

Discussion Activity 5:
 
ELECTORAL COLLEGE (20 points)

You will participate in a class discussion on whether to abolish the Electoral College. During this activity, you will have the opportunity to research and present arguments in favor of maintaining our current system of electing our president 
or
 abolishing the Electoral College altogether. In addition, you will explain what position you support and any changes you would make to the Electoral College, if any.

You may want to begin your research with 
“The Pro’s and Con’s of the Electoral College System”
.

Also, see 
The Library of Congress’ Website
 and search the current Congress for any amendments introduced to abolish the Electoral College. Also, the National Archives has a wealth of information on the Electoral College. You may go to their website at 
The National Archives

You may use course materials, the Internet, or any other references for your research.

After you complete your research, you will go to the Discussion Forum, “The Monocle,” and share your arguments for or against the Electoral College with your classmates. 
Note: 
You only need to present two supporting 
or
 two opposing arguments. Choose a side.

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After you present your arguments, you will share your opinion on whether we should keep the current system, modify it, or simply abolish the Electoral College and base presidential elections on the popular vote. Your response should be no more than two (2) paragraphs in length. At the conclusion of the statement, 
please provide your reference(s).

ELECTORAL COLLEGE Discussion Activity 6
:
ROLE-PLAY AS HOUSE OR SENATE PARTY OFFICER

Discussion Activity 6
: ROLE-PLAY AS HOUSE OR SENATE PARTY OFFICER (20 POINTS)

Select and research a current party officer/leader and role-play as that party officer/leader during an online discussion. 
You will chose to role-play as one of the following party officers in the House or Senate
:

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

House or Senate Majority Leader

House or Senate Minority Leader

House or Senate Majority Whips

House or Senate Minority Whips.

You can get information about a party officer
 in the 
U.S. House of Representatives
 
website, click on 
Leadership Offices
 and choose your House party officer. If you wish to write on a 
Senate party officer 
go the website, click on 
Senators
, then 
Leadership
 and choose your party officer. Please review the appropriate lessons in the course about responsibilities for the specific responsibilities of the House and Senate party leaders.

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In the Discussion Forum , “The Monocle,”
 introduce yourself as a current party officer and share with other students’ information about the party officer – -biographical information, issues of concern to the party officer, and responsibilities of their leadership position. 
Please note the reference(s) you used in preparing your posting at the end of your posting.
 
Your posted response must be no longer than two paragraphs!

Discussion Activity
 7
:
FEDERAL LEGISLATION

Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism Essay Example

For this cultural diversity and multiculturalism essay example assignment, propose a scenario where you or someone you know are confronted with a moral dilemma relating to cultural diversity and multiculturalism. It cannot be the same as what was covered in the week one discussion.

Cultural diversity refers to religious, sexual, racial, and other forms of social difference. A moral dilemma is a situation in which one must make a decision between two or more options such that the options involve seemingly ethical and/or unethical conduct. Address the following questions:

What was the situation? What did the dilemma involve?

What would a subjective moral relativist say is the right approach to the dilemma? Why would that kind of relativist say that?

What would a cultural relativist say is the right approach to the dilemma? Why would that kind of relativist say that? Is that approach correct?

What did you or the person confronting the dilemma decide to do? What moral justification did you or they give? Is that approach morally correct?

Was there an objective moral truth (the objectively right thing to do) in this situation? Why or why not?

Remember, the dilemma should be detailed with description and dialogue. Regard the questions as requirements. This is an essay, so rather than simply providing a list of brief answers to questions, provide an in-depth reflection regarding a difficult ethical situation.

 

Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism Essay Example

Cultural Diversity (Moral Dilemma Relating To Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism)

Nursing practice experiences diverse ethical and moral dilemmas. According to Green (2020), a moral dilemma can be regarded as a situation whereby the affected person or decision maker is divided or has to contemplate between two or more benefits vs duty. On the other hand, cultural diversity is the sexual, racial, and religious among other forms of social differences that exist between people. This cultural diversity and multiculturalism essay example paper discusses an experienced mora dilemma relating to cultural diversity and multiculturalism.

As a volunteer, I have encountered different people with diverse cultural identities. In one experience I came across a young woman who was rescued from an African community that practiced female gentle mutilation FGM among young school-going children. Critically thinking about the case, the moral dilemma concerning cultural diversity resulted in tension between human rights advocates and cultural relativisms (Oppong, 2019). Focusing on the scenario, while it was the communities culture, the FGM practice was against human rights.

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Based on subjective relativism which is founded on the claims that, morality is relative to a person, and that one can decide on what is right or wrong in their view. Based on this view, moral judgment, and values are founded subject to person or culture, hence no universally acceptable moral standards that apply to all people or cultures. Regarding the case scenario, the subjective moral relativist would be against the practice of FGM as against human rights.

In the context of cultural relativism, it would be argued that each culture is unique and is made of a definite set of practices and beliefs and in turn should be respected and protected even when they differ from others. however, regarding the case, universal human rights advocates fundamental freedom and rights to be inherent to all people regardless of their cultural foundations (Green, 2020). From a cultural point of view, or relativist perspective, the FGM practice may be viewed as an integral identity of a defined community and should in turn be protected.

In the case presented, the person confronted adopted for saving the young girl from FGM practice which was viewed as a violation of her right. The action taken was morally correct on the basis that, it protected the affected individual from possible human-violating acts which would jeopardize her health. The action to save the girl was founded on the case of FGM being a threat to the concerned person’s health and overall well-being. On the other hand, the decision was aligned with the practice being against the girl’s wish, hence a violation of fundamental human rights. Balancing cultural diversity with promotion and respect for human rights requires critical and thoughtful considerations. It frequently entails having conversations about cultural customs, spreading knowledge, advancing education, and pursuing culturally sensitive solutions that uphold human rights and promote a more inclusive and fair society (Oppong, 2019) cultural diversity and multiculturalism essay example.

References

Green, A. (2020). Interaction Goals Influence Our View of the World: Mode of Interaction Effects on Moral Truth Perceptions (Doctoral dissertation, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale).

Oppong, S. (2019). When the ethical is unethical, and the unethical is ethical: Cultural Relativism in Ethical Decision-Making. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 18-28. Retrieved from:
https://journals.pan.pl/Content/109945/PDF/PPB+1-19+3-Oppong.pdf
 cultural diversity and multiculturalism essay example

FEDERAL LEGISLATION Discussion

Discussion Activity
 7
: FEDERAL LEGISLATION (20 POINTS)

You are to use 
Congress Official Site
 to obtain a copy of a piece of legislation (bill) before the current Congress.  You will be in the current Congress. Click on the link on Current Congress. Enter a word or phrase in the Word/Phrase section such as homeland security, energy, Medicare reform, prescription drugs, Iran, etc.

Select a bill of your choice. Click on
 Summary or Text.   
 Then click on
 Actions
 on the bill which includes sponsor, title, and status of bill (where bill is in the Congress or if the President has signed the bill into law) and copy (CTR C) and paste (CTL V) the link as your reference.  If you learn that your bill has passed the House or Senate, you can go click on 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
, and read the debate on the bill on the floor of the House or Senate.

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In the Discussion Forum, “The Monocle,”
 you will identify a piece of Federal legislation by number on bill and author/sponsor, and provide a short title and summary of your bill. State whether you would support the legislation if you had an opportunity to vote on it in the U. S. Congress and explain why. Your posted response must be 
no longer
 
than two or three paragr
aphs.
 After you post your essay, then provide
 
a short comment on a classmates’ legislation,
i.e., as a member of Congress would you vote “yes” or “nay” on the bill and and briefly explain why. Your comment need only be a few sentences in length FEDERAL LEGISLATION Discussion. 
Please note the reference(s) you used in preparing your posting at the end of your posting
. You must post your summary of the bill, how you would vote on your selected piece of federal legislation as well as your comment on another classmates’ bill.

Discussion Activity
 
8:
 
EVALUATION OF CURRENT PRESIDENT IN ROLES PLAYED BY A MODERN PRESIDENT

FEDERAL LEGISLATION Discussion