Franklin D. Roosevelt: Economic Bill of Rights 1944

What stood out the most to me in Franklin D. Roosevelt's Economic Bill of Rights was when he says, "That is the way to win a war-all out-and not with half-an-eye on the battlefronts abroad and the other half on personal, selfish, or political interest at here at home"(465). What roosevelt is saying is that America cannot win the war(WWII), by focusing its energies on every aspect of the country simultaneously because it is impossible to effectively win the war in that way. He is urging that America focuses their energy on the war only, but the only way to do so is to "maintain a fair and stable economy at home"(465). Roosevelt says we can win the war if America starts a tax law, make reasonable prices for food and have a national service along with other things.

Eugene V. Debs: "Revolutionary Unionism"

In Eugene V. Debs's speech "Revolutionary Unionism", he talks about how he wants workers to unite together against the capitalist. One thing that stood out to me in his speech is what he says about the workers who do the work for the people who own the jobs. He says, " while the workingmen who do the work and produce the wealth and endure the privations and make the sacrifices of health and limb and life, remain in a wretched state of poverty and dependence."(401). The reason why Debs points this out is to try to make the workers aware of their situation under the capitalist. To also show how although the workers are not always doing the same type of job, that they all have something in common, that they are all in the same class in the social ladder. Debs wanted the workers to be part of a revolutionary unionism rather than a trade union because trade unions only refer to a specific craft, while a revolutionary union refers to EVERY worker. Also Debs believes that if all the workers unite, they would be able to seize control of the government.

W.E.B Du Bois: The Soul of Black Folks (1903)

In Du Bois's essay The Souls of Black Folks, what stood out to me the most in his essay was what he says about Blacks during his days in regard of their goals in America. He says, "[Black men] simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of opportunity closed roughly on his face"(375). What Du Bois is clearly saying is how blacks wish to be both accepted as an African, based on their skin color and culture, also as an American like every other man either white or colored, to be treated equally in opportunity and rights because they are Americans.

William Graham Sumner: What Social Classes Owe to Each Other(1884)

In Sumner's passage about What Social Classes Owe to Each Other, a particular things that he says regarding to the roles of the rich and the poor stood out to me the most. He says "Those who are bound to solve the problems are the rich, comfortable, prosperous, virtuous, respectable, educated, and healthy; those whose right it is to set the problems are those who have been less fortunate or less successful in the struggle for existence"(302). I believe that Sumner is saying that the right or duty of the rich people or those who are in a high social status is to fix the problems made by the poor and low class people, because they are the reason for problems that come up in the first place. He believe the rich should do this because the poor people are "unfit" to solve their own problems according to the thoery of Social Darwinism, in other words "survival of the fittest".

Abraham Lincoln's Speech on Dred Scott Decision(1857)- Equality between Whites and Blacks

What really stood out to me in Lincoln's speech about the Dred Scott decision was one thing he talks about about African Americans in terms of equality. He says, " because I do not want a black women for a slave I must necessarily want her for a wife. I need not have her for either,...In some respects she certainly is not my equal; but in her natural right to eat the bread she earns...she is my equal, and the equal of all others"(264). I think what Lincoln means by this is that blacks are equal to whites only in political wise, and unequal when comes to social equality. He believes that whites and blacks she never be mixed to gether as far as marrying one another, and having children with one another. Lincoln finds amalgamation between these two races "disgusting". I disagee with him on amalgamy, I find that people should be able to mix their race with others if they please without any disgust with the act of doing so. Its beautiful and perfectly natural.

Frederick Douglass: Speech at the Anti-Slavery Association

One quote from the Frederick D.'s speech really stood out to me, he says "but if you stand on the side of the slave-holder, and cry out '"the Union as it is"', '"the Constitution as it is"', '"the Church as it is"' you may expect...[I] will give utternance against you"(239).

Frederick Douglass is saying that anyone who supports the Constitution's and the Union's present state, shall expect no friendship or kindness by him. For Douglass those who do not wish to change the Constitution and the Unioin, must be fine with the way things are as far as slavery and inequality for blacks. He doesnt want to establish any type of friendship with people who are in satisfation with the way his fellow people are treated.

Roe v. Wade case- Abortion legalized?

The Roe v. Wade case was about the overthrowing of the texas law on abortion, and making abortion legal in the United States on Janurary 22,1973. The Roe v. Wade decision declared that a women, with the presence of her doctor have the right to abort during the first trimester of her pregnancy. This case based their decision on the 9th amendment of the constitution which states "the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people". This means that no one has the right to deny anyone of their individual rights from the bill of rights. A women named "Jane Roe", claimed that the Texas law on abortion violated her constitutional rights, the court agreed and made it legal in the U.S for abortion to be legal.

Jefferson's View on Natural and Artificial Aristocracy

Jefferson's view on natural aristocracy is that it is better than artificial aristocracy. He believes natural aristocracy is "the most precious gift of nature, for the instruction and government of society"(165). Jefferson believes that it is wiser to have someone govern the country who has virtues and wisdom to better connect with society's problems and concerns. Artificial aristocracy isn't founded on virtues, and the people from this type of aristocracy often abuse their power by doing mischevious things that only benefit the wealthy class and not the majority.

Alexander Hamilton: Constitutional or Unconstitutional?

Alexander Hamiliton gives his opinion on the constitutionality of the National Bank by listing seven observations. The observation that stood out to me is the fourth one about his belief of necessity. I believe he is saying that if something is a necessary to do, than its constitutional. It does not have to be in the same words of from the constitution, as long as it is close enough to it and relates to the constitution in any way. For example, the idea of having a national bank. Jefferson believes that it is unconstitutional to have a national bank because it does not say it within the doctrine. However, Hamilton says that a national bank is a necessity for the country's goal of having good credit and more money, therefore it is constitutional.

Amendment III of the Bill of Rights

Amendment III of the bill of rights states:
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

This amendment protects the peoples right of not housing soldiers during wartime by force. In 1765 British Parliment passed the Quartering Act, in which troops were to be housed by people during times of war. When they were housed, it was expected that the families or owner of the house, was to supply the soldiers with food, and shelter. This act was put into effect to cut the cost of supplies for the soldiers and to protect them from attack. However, when the Constitution was ratified, the quartering of soldiers became enabled. Thanks to this amendment, we as the people have the right to say "NO!" to the housing of soldiers during wartime.

Thomas Paine's Common Sense

The passage on Thomas Paine's view on the seperation from Great Britain was brilliant to me. He made a pamphlet called Common Sense (1776), in which he brought about his plan about America completely seperating from the crown. He thought it was "common sense" to remove ourselves from a country that didnt treat them well. All the taxes Britain brought on them, the prevention of America trading with other countries, Paine was saying in other words enough is enough! Paine also states how being connected with Britain will also led to more quarrels with enemies of Great Britain, hurting our chance of alliances with other countries.
What also stood out to me in the passage was Thomas belief that "A government of our own is our natural right". I liked that saying because it remind me of Lockes beliefs of natural rights of life, liberty,and most importantly property. America is the colony's property and should be governed amongst themselves.

"Paradise of Negro Slaves- A Dream" by Benjamin Rush

Benjamin Rush had a dream about him being in a place that only had blacks in there, and they all looked happy and cheerful. He described how when he approached them, panic fell upon them and they all looked at him. Next thing he knew one by one each person came up to him with a story to tell about how life was like as a slave to a white man. He also tells how all of them were asking him that if he sees their master tell him they hope he repents for what he has done. Rush says of how when he tried to speak more people would come up to tell of their story, that he never got a chance to speak.
This particular passage stood out to me because it shows how there was someone during this time of such slave dominancy who had feelings, even a little bit of sympathy, for the blacks who were victims to slavery. More suprisingly that it was a white man who felt that they were treated badly and that it should end. I believe Rush had this dream because all of the burden every white slave owner put on blacks, and to open his eyes to all the emotions they had kept inside from the brutality of slavery.

"Moral" and "Natural" Liberty of John Winthrop

     From the passage on John Winthrop, what stood out to me was his ideas of "moral" and "natural" liberty which he delivered in his famous "little speech". In his speech Winthrop states that "natural" liberties are what make man evil and corrupt because it is the liberty to do what ever he wants to do, good or evil. He believes natural liberty causes defiance to authority, and will eventually turn man into "beasts" if exercised over time. The idea of "moral" liberty is Winthrop's more "ideal" type of liberty that he thinks everyone should follow. He states from his speech that, "this liberty is the proper and object of authority...it is a liberty to that only which is good , just, and honest"(Winthrop's Journal).In other words, he believes that by exercising this liberty, this will help man to become "perfect" or "more Christ like".
     I agree with Winthrop in his belief of moral liberty being the best type to live by because it will help make man more "good" in God's eyes. If we all live by this liberty, maybe people would'nt have much conflict and war with each other because we would always think "what is the moral and civil way of handling things!".

Today's Lecture on the origin of our political system in America

     Today Professor Murdaco gave an interesting lecture on the origins of the American political system. I learned that some of the many influences of the American political system was from John Locke, Montesquie, Romans and the Greeks. Locke believed that when people are born, they are entitled to what he calls "natural rights". His most known aspects of natural rights are "life, liberty, and property", these are rights that cannot be tooken away. I found this to be amazing because during this time Europe did not believe in such natural rights Locke did. Locke's ideas of "natural rights" is still present in the Bill of Rights today. Montesquie believed in "seperation of powers", which was the idea of seperating the government into 3 branches; executive, legislative, and judicial. These branches of government is still used today as well as our type of democratic government which was created by the Romans and Greeks.