Reflection Paper Twelve- Inverted Totalitarianism

"For example, in Weimar Germany, before the Nazis took power, the "streets" were dominated by totalitarian-oriented gangs of toughs, and whatever there was of democracy was confined to the government. In the United States, however, it is the streets where democracy is most alive--while the real danger lies with an increasingly unbridled government."

Here Wolin is comparing German government with the United States government. However Wolin points out that in Germany totalitarianism took place in the street, where in the U.S. it lies specifically in the government. In a since the government is turning into the gang where's the society of America are becoming the democracy. 

I chose this because i think it represent's the government. This particular quote puts a drastic picture in the readers eyes. As a matter of fact, i would have to say until reading this passage in the article i wasn't 100% convinced of the authors claim of the U.S. leaning towards Totalitarianism.  

Reflection Paper Eleven- The Logic of Collective Action

"The remaining type of group is the unorganized group-the group that has no lobby and takes no action. Groups of this kind fit the main argument of this book best of all. They illustrate its central point: that large or latent groups have no tendency voluntarily to act to further their common interests."

Here Olson talks about groups who suffer probably more then any other group, yet they are the ones that are "Forgotten". I thought it was very important to use this quote because even though this book was written 50 years ago , it still applies. So many interest groups are receiving help and attention that they don't need because they can simply afford to make to commotion about it. Where groups that need it most (he gave the example of immigrant farm workers), suffer greatly but have no lobby and can take no action.

Reflection Paper Ten- Roe vs. Wade

"The Court held that, in regard to abortions during the first trimester, the decision must be left to the judgment of the pregnant woman’s doctor. In regard to second trimester pregnancies, states may promote their interests in the mother’s health by regulating abortion procedures related to the health of the mother. Regarding third trimester pregnancies, states may promote their interests in the potentiality of human life by regulating or even prohibiting abortion, except when necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother."

This case had 3 plaintiffs, Roe, The Does and Hallford. Roe claimed that Texas abortion laws (where abortions could only take place if the mothers life was at risk), were unconstitutional . Hallford who was a doctor facing prosecution for violating abortion laws . Then the Doe's who wanted the courts to retract laws enforcing these abortion laws because they thought it to be unconstitutional. 

The legal decision was that prevention against abortion in the first trimester was unconstitutional. However each state could prevent abortion if it puts the mothers life at risk, or the baby becomes a fetus and its life is at risk. 

I chose this case because i still think it is highly applicable today. Many states still hold abortion laws that are unconstitutional when it is in fact a mothers right.

Refelection Paper Nine- Barack Obama's Speech on Fathers Day

“But we also need families to raise our children. We need fathers to realize that responsibility does not end at conception. We need them to realize that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child – it’s the courage to raise one.”

Obama , through out this speech talks about the struggles kids go through having a single parents, especially a father .How it affects things such as crime rate, and learning capabilities, as well as the emotional toll it takes on a family. This particular passage is the definition of a true father. Many men (and women) out there believe that if they simply conceive a child they are in fact a parent, when this is false. Obama states that if you cannot raise the child you conceive , you are nothing but a boy, 

I think this particular passage and speech was important because Obama talked about what most governments don’t want to talk about , single parents. Although I have the blessing of having my children's father in my life, many do not. The single parent homes affect so much; crime rates, welfare, the need for scholarships. Single family homes have a huge impact on the budget. Yet there are so many of them, they are affected  children, in turn society, and our nation as a whole.

Reflection Paper Eight-Americas Most Gerrymandered Congressional Districts

"This speaks to the notion that the point of gerrymandering isn't to draw yourself a safe seat but to put your opponents in safe seats by cramming all of their supporters into a small number of districts."

This quote speaks about the idea of gerrymandering. Republican and democratic parties ( more so republican) are corrupting the system by drawing voting districts to favor their party. Although they are allowing the other party a guaranteed seat by drawing them small districts full of democratic voters, they are giving themselves an advantage. The party that is gerrymandering draws a larger district for themselves, however this district always benefits them, whether its full of republican voters or leaving out people that cant vote (such as felons) they are guaranteeing themselves a a spot in the house.

Gerrymandering is an ongoing problem. It allows representatives to choose what districts they want depriving voters, and the opponent of a fair vote. In turn denying the voters, and representatives  a true representation of districts.

Reflection Paper Seven-Citizenship and Social Class-Marshall

“Civil rights were indispensable to a competitive market economy. Civil rights gave to each man, as part of his individual status, the power to engage as an independent unit in the economic struggle and made it possible to deny to him social protection on the grounds that he was quipped with the means to protect himself”

I believe that Marshall meant that Civil rights was originally given to men so that they could be independent. However this mean independent in every way to include the struggle in the economic aspect, as well as social. In providing civil rights man could be denied protection from the struggles that come from the social and economic environment because he was provided with "equal" opportunity to take care of him/herself.

I believe that this still plays a major role. That many still struggle with jobs, health care, and poverty yet since we have civil rights the government feels as if we can lay no blame on them. It is up to us to sink or swim. They do offer things such as Obama Care, however this still only benefits some , not all. 

Reflection Paper Six-Civil Disobedience

"That government is best which governs not at all"

"The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it."

I chose multiple quotes because i found both of them to be equally important. Thoreau points out that the best government is not one that makes a bunch of laws, provisions, or interferes with your everyday life but rather one that lets the people rule (hence the second quote). The government was made to help execute the people's wishes, however this has proven to be incorrect. Often times the government can be corrupted by its own moral gain and agenda. Rather then looking at the best interest of the people , it looks at the interest of a group of people. Most likely a group that will benefit them (the government) if they help them. 

"But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government"

However Thoreau doesn't want to get rid of the government, or overthrow it , he just wants a better one. One that "respects" [a] man.