Chapter 12

Presidents and the Qualities of Greatness

Although there is no single set of qualifications or experiences that will guarantee success as President the following things are essential to being a great president. One must be trustworthy, accountable, responsive to needs, and implement the laws equally to all citizens. 

Two Great Presidents

Democrat Lyndon Johnson (1963-69) was very successful in passing his domestic policy agenda in large part due to his experience as a House Member, U.S. Senator, and Senate majority leader. His experience taught him crucial negotiating skills with members of Congress; he used his skills to the fullest extent. 

Democrat Barack Obama (2009-current) was the first African American to become President of The United States of America.

Three Things Learned

Democrat James Buchanan (1857-61) was only unmarried president, graduate of Dickinson College, was tall and stiffly formal. He was fairly effective as he was a gifted debater, elected five times to the House of Representatives. His service abroad helped to bring him the Democratic nomination in 1856. Buchanan reverted to policy of inactivity that continued until he left office. In March 1861, he retired to his Pennsylvania home where he died seven years later. 

Chapter 11

Senator's & Congressman

Each State has 2 Senator's, thus the Representatives for the State of Tennessee is Republican Lamar Alexander and Republican Bob Corker. Serving the State of Tennessee is Congressman, John J. Duncan Jr. as well as Diane Black, Steve Cohen, Phil Roe, Marsha Blackburn, Jim Cooper, Scott DesJarlais,  Stephen Fincher, and Chuck Fleischmann.

I have to agree with Tennessee Congressman Duncan on his argument about the "mind - boggling" amounts spent in the Iraq war was not Conservative of the Republicans in any way. 

I also have to agree with him we lost many soldiers and way too much money in the war. I agree with the statement he gave "the Constitution does not give us the authority to govern Iraq, yet that is exactly what we have been and are currently doing."

I do not usually agree with most Republicans however, upon researching this topic this is one I strongly agree on. I think the war in Iraq was a total waste of man power and National monies we did not need to wage war on Iraq, it was outrageous and idiotic.

Chapter 10

Bush v Gore 2000 Election

I think Gore was cheated out of the election of 2000, he won the popular vote with 50,999,897 votes whereas Bush only had 50,456,002 votes. No wonder people even though short - term lost hope in the election process, the election was a joke to the democracy our country is supposed to have! I felt Gore won as did the many Americans that voted for him. He was treated unfair and it was a direct violation of the Constitution, therefore, I do not agree the dissenting opinion. It was unfair and wrong because the majority of votes went to Gore and Bush won the election you cannot be any clearer than that!

Election Fundraising  

I think fundraising with a national deficit at an all time high is the craziest thing American's can stand by ans let happen. I think if we would spend more time in raising funds for American citizens maybe we could see the light at the end of the blacked out tunnel on the deficit. If you add all the monies the government has spent on elections and placed them in the national treasurer I honestly think we would not be up to our elbows in debit! Raise money for the starving children and homeless in our country! I honestly feel that Framer's would smirk at the cost of election these days however there are plenty of things they would smirk at in our society. I feel good candidates are prevented from running of course it does.

Voting 

There is only a few pinpointed reasons why there is apathy in the voting ways of Americans. There are several factors that determine the turnout of voters during elections. The economy I feel has a major part in this, people are looking for someone to make money and if they think voting someone in office will change this then they will get out and vote to support their beliefs. There is no way to really rectify the fluctuation being that it has been an ongoing occurrence since voting began in 1976.