With Rick Elder

04/21/23

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SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to

American Government

SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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The Presidency and the Federal Bureaucracy In this unit you will examine the institution of

the American Presidency and federal bureaucracy. You will also examine the constitutional powers and responsibilities of the presidency, and the evolution of the modern presidency. In addition, you will investigate the crafting and composition of the modern, federal bureaucracy.

But first my local “scenic” slide of the Week.

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Source: Happy Camper Photography, Brimley, MI

Other than the Niagara Falls this is the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River.

SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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Now for our subject matter slides.

In this unit you will be reading about the institution of the American Presidency and federal bureaucracy.

Chapter Reading For this unit you will read:Chapter 8: The Presidency, in American

Government: Roots and Reform Chapter 9: The Executive Branch and Federal

Bureaucracy

SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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MyPoliSci Lab Each unit you will have essential resources to

review in MyPoliSci Lab. This lab is located on the left-hand side of your classroom within each unit. Review the following items to accompany Chapters 8 and 9 in your textbook:

Video: Bush and Congress Video: The CDC and the Swine Flu Timeline: The Executive Order Over Time Timeline: The Evolution of the Federal

Bureaucracy

SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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MyPolySci Library Franklin Roosevelt’s Radio Address Unveiling the

Second Half of the New Deal Executive Order 9981: Desegregation of the Armed

Forces (1948) John Kennedy’s Inaugural Address (1961) Truman Doctrine (1947

SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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Assuming the Presidency at the depth of the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt helped the American people regain faith in themselves. He brought hope as he promised prompt, vigorous action, and asserted in his Inaugural Address, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Following the example of his fifth cousin, President Theodore Roosevelt, whom he greatly admired, Franklin D. Roosevelt entered public service through politics, but as a Democrat

SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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During his few weeks as Vice President, Harry S. Truman scarcely saw President Roosevelt, and received no briefing on the development of the atomic bomb or the unfolding difficulties with Soviet Russia. Suddenly these and a host of other wartime problems became Truman's to solve when, on April 12, 1945, he became President. He told reporters, "I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me."

SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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Truman Doctrine … At the present moment in world history nearly

every nation must choose between alternative ways of life. The choice is too often not a free one.

One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression.

SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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The Truman Doctrine ...

The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio; fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedoms.

SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

Should we fail to aid Greece and Turkey in this fateful hour, the effect will be far reaching to the West as well as to the East.

We must take immediate and resolute action.

SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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The seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by misery and want. They spread and grow in the evil soil of poverty and strife. They reach their full growth when the hope of a people for a better life has died. We must keep that hope alive.

The free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms.

If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world -- and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation (Harry S. Truman).

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SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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On November 22, 1963, when he was hardly past his first thousand days in office, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was killed by an assassin's bullets as his motorcade wound through Dallas, Texas. Kennedy was the youngest man elected President; he was the youngest to die.

SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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DiscussionRespond to these two Discussion topics in the

discussion area. Make an initial post to each topic and respond with meaningful comments to your classmates’ posts in accordance with your class Syllabus.

SS 236: People Power and Politics an Introduction to American Government

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The Modern Presidency (Topic 1) A close examination of the Article II of the

Constitution (Executive Branch) suggests that the founding fathers, leery of tyrannical monarchs, deliberately made vague the powers and responsibility of the president. Yet the institution of the presidency has grown, over time. This expansion of presidential power and the growth of the federal bureaucracies, through executive interpretation of Article II of the Constitution, is a dominant feature of the modern presidency.

Illustrate and assess two specific examples of the growth in modern, presidential power.

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Budget Deficits (Topic 2) The growth of modern presidential power coincides

with the growth of federal budget deficits. Every year the Office of Management and Budget provides a detailed summary of the President’s proposed budget. U.S.A.’s current federal budget can be found here: www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/

Analyze two federal departments, administrations, or agencies detailed in the President’s proposed budget. In light of growing federal deficits, make specific arguments for deficit spending or cuts within each selected department, administration, or agency.

*Within the Table of Contents of the President’s proposed budget you will see a list of all the federal departments, administrations, and agencies.

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In this week's Seminar you will be discussing presidential duties and responsibilities. Prepare beforehand by considering the following questions:

What role does the vice president play in American politics?

Do you favor repealing the Twenty-second Amendment (which limits the president to two four-year terms)? Why or why not?

How does the War Powers Act limit the president’s authority over military policy? Is the War Powers Act effective?

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In what way does the election of a president affect the judicial branch of government?

What is the difference between strict and loose construction?

On what basis does the president select justices for the Supreme Court? What factors influence the likelihood that the Senate will confirm a Supreme Court nominee?

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The End

Sources for Slides: Happy Camper Photography (2010), Kaplan University, and Whitehous.gov (2012).