Today : Understanding Federalism and The Branches of Government

1. 11/26/12 – BR- What does the following quote mean?“If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external or internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”-James Madison Today: Understanding Federalism and The Branches of Government

2. But wait.. Before we focus on our government lets check in with the other forms of government.. Get out a piece of paper and take the forms of government quiz

3. Vocabulary Journal #14 Federalism: government in which power is divided between central authority, states, and localities. Separation of powers: Constitutional principle that limits powers vested in any person or individual; division of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Why are these concepts so important to our form of government? Why do we have them?

4. Separation of Powers- 3 Branches of Government

5. What is a presidential cabinet? Some sort of special furniture? The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of the Presidency itself. Established in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, the Cabinet's role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office. The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.

6. In order of succession to the Presidency: Vice President of the United StatesJoseph R. Biden Department of StateSecretary Hillary Rodham Clinton Department of the TreasurySecretary Timothy F. Geithner Department of DefenseSecretary Leon E. Panetta Department of JusticeAttorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr Department of the InteriorSecretary Kenneth L. Salazar Department of AgricultureSecretary Thomas J. Vilsack Department of CommerceActing Secretary Rebecca Blank Department of LaborSecretary Hilda L. Solis  Department of Health and Human ServicesSecretary Kathleen Sebelius Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentSecretary Shaun L.S. Donovan Department of TransportationSecretary Ray LaHood Department of EnergySecretary Steven Chu Department of EducationSecretary Arne Duncan Department of Veterans AffairsSecretary Eric K. Shinseki Department of Homeland SecuritySecretary Janet A. Napolitano

8. Other People The following positions have the status of Cabinet-rank:White House Chief of Staff (“the power behind the throne?”)Jack Lew Environmental Protection AgencyAdministrator Lisa P. Jackson Office of Management & BudgetJeffrey Zients, Acting Director United States Trade RepresentativeAmbassador Ronald Kirk United States Ambassador to the United NationsAmbassador Susan Rice Council of Economic AdvisersChairman Alan B. Krueger Small Business AdministrationAdministrator Karen G. Mills

9. Levels Of Government: Who’s Responsible for What? Look at the different levels of government (Federal, State, and Local) Do you see how different levels are in charge of certain things?

10. Federal, State, Or Local?

11. Federal, State, Or Local?

12. Using our Discussion and your notes • Complete the federal, state, and local venn diagram • Homework: • For each level (state, local, and federal) state one problem that that level could solve and explain why they would handle it. For example: Federal - Poor mail delivery. The federal government would have to handle this because the post office is their responsibility.