Olson argues you can separate "diffuse interests," the majority, from "concentrated interests," minority interests. For example, trade policy is made interest groups, lobbying the government for tariffs on imports from foreign countries. This would result in higher prices on these items. A majority of people might be opposed to this, but since the minority interests are more concentrated, they will work harder to lobby the government. The majority interests are diffuse and not organized

I believe this passage means that the reason minorities rule, is due to the fact that they are more concentrated so they are more organized and are more able to be heard by political parties and agencies that can benefit their cause. Minority groups are more concentrated to to an area where they can find other individuals who share their interest and are able to gather more supporters. Where majorities, are more scattered and are less likely to organize and get the attention and support of political parties, they are less likely to share the same interest and have the ability to get support of desired audience. 

I choose this passage because I found it interesting that minorities are most likely to be heard than majorities when the norm is the opposite, majority rules. I'm guessing this is the case because minorities are able to stuck together and come up with plans and tactics that a huge group might find it difficult to agree on.

I choose Brown vs. The Board of Education. This case was about a father, Oliver Brown who's daughter Linda Brown was denied access to/ into an elementary school at the time the law for equal rights was passed, and so a law of ' equal but separate' was put in place. This law stated that if racially separated facilities where equally equipped, then the Constitution's 14 th amendment was being upheld. I chose this because I believe it has played an important role in our current system and it has improved the education, self value and the ability to equal opportunities as whites and I believe that could've been a reason why it was put into law, despite the fact that it took a while to pass and even though it was passed not every facility had followed it at the time.

In his lawsuit, Brown claimed that schools for black children were not equal to the white schools, and that segregation violated the so-called “equal protection clause” of the 14th Amendment, which holds that no state can “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

This was upheld by being heard by the U.S District Court of Kansas where the ruling was granted that African Americans could share the same pubic spaces as whites because of the negative impact segregation had on African American children and that, in fact the education received was different depending on race. 

I have chosen President Obama because of his intellect and his untainted reputation as a husband, a father and a president. When he speaks, he does it with such class, such conviction and in a well thought out process, he doesn't go  on a ramble with unproven statements, nor does he speak without having the knowledge and the take of others on subjects he addresses. I find his speeches so well informed, that I don't understand how all his laws haven't came to pass. 

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

This was the last line in President Obama's speech, i find it powerful and empowering, it motivates, it pushes us to go out and be great for ourselves, our country, our children. It reminds us that where we are now, what we are facing now is nothing new. Our nation has faced greater challenges, greater foes and still came out on top because of the resilience of our people and our drive to survive, our drive to live, our drive to never remain defeated. 

I think given a fair unbiased chance, Obama could've been one of the greatest President this country has ever had, but his rule was met with brick walls and many stop signs that hindered many of his great work. He was a President that had been on both side of the fence and could see the struggles that minorities endured cause he endured it as well, and could also relate from the majorities view point because he was there as well. 

                                         Is Our Vote Even Worth Anything?

This election year we can expect to hear a lot about Congressional district gerrymandering, which is when political parties redraw district boundaries to give themselves an electoral advantage.

What I don't understand is, how can this be allowed? From what I can see, to pass a law on equal rights and justice, to pass a law on gun safety in the country, to pass a law on education for all, to pass a law on minor crime convicts to be able to receive aide from the government you need a 2/3 vote but gerrymandering, denying citizens of a fair and equal opportunity to have their voices hear through their votes, there is no law against that? 

Is any part of the system made for the citizens protection? This sounds like the government ensuring their wellbeing, there bottom line, making sure that their seats remain ' their seats'. According to the this article, we can change that, we might not be able to stop them from gerrymandering, but when we are being governed by individuals who has their own interest and not that of its citizens, we have a right to have them replaces with better individuals. Let them know that this is not ok. Every vote counts, so let districts be divided in a manner that won't have me guessing the figure that's being represented, is it a dragon, is it a butterfly? NO? It's our votes being distributed evenly. i'm not even gonna mention the foolishness of Electorial votes

Marshall argues the demand for social rights really begins with the idea of public education. If civil rights literally means only that the government cannot interfere with you, then on that basis alone there is no clear right to provide education for all the people.

I believe civil rights is accomplishable, the government has no right to unlawfully stop, search or interfere with a person unless they have evidence that that person is doing wrong. evidence could be anywhere from, a person reporting a suspicious activity and has good reasons why such activities are deemed suspicious and accurate description of the individual

As for social rights. As a country, it should be an unspoken action to provide each citizen with the requirements to live a healthy life with all the necessities that a person needs to go out and be successful, this includes education that extends primary school, or a trade. 

Candacy Lawrence

                                             Demand For Change

"why are you not in jail?' expressed by Henry David Thoreau, mentioned this to his colleague as an incitement to provoke/ urge citizens to take a stand against the government, a stand that will promote better or just governing. He states that blindly accept and follow the laws or the government is to unconsciously support their cause. This relates to the article, all  authors are fighting to make their voices heard by  the government. they are all seeking equal  right, equal justice. They all want to be seen and heard and respected as citizens of the United States

I choose this because  in today's society the government need it's citizen's to function, and they can  not arrest a whole state, so if people where to come together, all people or majority of people come  together and stand against the government in peaceful protest until a positive productive change comes along the government will have no choice but to comply

Candacy Lawrence


                                             Give Us A New And Improved America

After reading Federalism, I got to understand that the practices we participate in today has been around since the begining of  time. With that said old habits are hard to kill, but we must try for a more united state of  America. Jefferson participated in the Declaration of  Independence because he didn't believe it was right for humans to be kept as slaves, this could also be due to his relationship with Sally Hemmings a slave, non the less he opposed  it, even though he didn't see it fit that blacks and white should live together as one. He the people to love the government and knew that for that to happen the government would have support it's people.

I choose "Jefferson did believe however that the Constitution should be updated every ten years or so" because this too is a way in  which  the government could support it's people and ensure that every person is treated with equal rights and their concerns be heard and acted upon.

Jefferson states that despite the different parties we are all one people. And as a people, we have the resource to share the wealth and opportunities amongst our people, this could be how America can Proudly be called the 'Melting Pot' and end the fight against each other and start the lifting and building  of a great nation.