GOVT 201 Wk 1 DISCUSSION
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This is a graded discussion: 100 points possible
due Oct 29
Unit 1 Discussion(Group)
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Respond to the following questions:
The video that you watched that was narrated by Matthew Spalding seemed to imply that America has to some extent lost its way. Do you think that this is accurate? If not, defend your answer. If yes, then which of the founding principles in that video or which of the ideas from the readings that you did for this week do you think have most severely been forgotten? In defense of your initial post to this prompt, be sure to cite course readings (and videos, if applicable) in defense of your answer.
Your response(s) should comply with the formatting, content, and word count guidelines, along with t
he style manual requirements, indicated in the syllabus
. Review the grading rubric provided for this discussion forum to ensure the best outcomes for your dialogue assignment.
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Brandi Gulick
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Brandi Gulick
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Oct 19, 2023
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Oct 19 at 11:28am
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Liberty
Brandi Gulick
American Government, GOVT 201 (2)
Professor Kewish
October 27, 2023
Has America lost its way in terms of the American Government? If you were to ask me about the human mind or the way human beings act within an
environment I could probably give you a concise and proper answer, however, when it comes to the American Government my answer will probably reflect more on my belief system alone. After watching the video by Dr. Spalding, I would say in response to the original question, that I believe that we do not have the same rights we were once given by our founding fathers when it comes to property and freedom of reaping the fruits of our labors. Moreover, I do not believe that our being able to express publicly our religious liberty and beliefs are the way today as this right was intended by our founding fathers.
Dr. Spalding (pg. 12), in his book, "We still hold these truths," says this, "Of the many influences that shaped the American concept of liberty, the first and most formative was faith" (Spalding, 2009). Dr. Spalding (pg.14), later states, "There are laws of God that exist prior to, outside of, and above the laws of the state necessarily means that the laws of the State are limited and controlled by a higher or trans-political authority" (Spalding, 2009).
For me the fact that they are trying to take God out of the pledge of allegiance in schools, crosses off churches, and that I was wrote up by Walmart for telling people on Good Friday last year to have a blessed day as a greeter at the door because it offended my supervisor who was from a different nation, means we are veering from what makes America, the land of the free.
References
Spalding, Mathew. (2009). We Still Hold These Truths: Rediscovering Our Principles, Reclaiming Our Future 5th printing (2019)
. Published by: Intercollegiate Studies Institute. www.isibooks.org
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Alison Curenton
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Alison Curenton
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Oct 24, 2023
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Oct 24 at 1:20am
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Hey Brandi, I agree that we do not have the same rights our founding fathers once gave us regarding property and freedom of reaping the fruits of our labor. There are so many small farmers being shut down
by the government for whatever reason, and there's nothing that these people can do about it. I'm sorry to hear that Walmart wrote you up for saying, "Have a blessed day." America has forgotten about Freedom of Speech and Religious Liberty. Anytime we take God out of the equation, we are veering away from what makes us free.
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Joshua Anicete
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Joshua Anicete
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Oct 26, 2023
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Oct 26 at 8:02pm
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Hello Brandi,
Your reflection on whether America has strayed from its founding principles, as influenced by Dr. Spalding's work, is insightful. You express concerns about changing property rights and limitations on religious expression, both fundamental aspects of American liberty. Your personal experience as a Walmart greeter underscores these challenges. Dr. Spalding's insights on faith's role in shaping American liberty are pertinent. The evolving balance between cultural diversity and preserving core principles is complex. Your thoughtful response contributes to a crucial conversation about the nation's direction.
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Joshua Anicete
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Joshua Anicete
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Oct 23, 2023
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Oct 23 at 7:51pm
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The video "We Still Hold These Truths," narrated by Matthew Spalding, prompts a critical examination of whether America has veered from its founding principles. America has strayed from its core principles, particularly those rooted in pursuing liberty, as highlighted in the course readings and the video
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The video introduces fundamental American principles, including free enterprise, religious liberty, the rule of law, constitutionalism, and limited government. These principles are deeply intertwined with the pursuit of liberty.
Nonetheless, many of these principles have encountered challenges.
Free enterprise, for instance, has been constrained by growing government regulations and interventions in the economy, deviating from the founders'
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vision of a limited government that empowers individuals to engage in commerce and create economic opportunities.
Religious liberty has also faced challenges, with debates over the separation of church and state and the role of religion in the public sphere, at times posing threats to the founders' vision of a society where individuals could freely practice their faith.
The rule of law and constitutionalism, pivotal for constraining government power, have faced hurdles due to shifts in interpretations of the Constitution and expansions of executive authority.
In sum, America's departure from some core principles, particularly those centered on liberty, is a legitimate concern. It underscores the dynamic nature
of American society as it grapples with safeguarding individual liberties amidst
changing circumstances. Constant reflection and vigilance are essential for ensuring the nation remains faithful to its foundational ideals while adapting to
contemporary challenges.
Reference
"We Still Hold These Truths." The Heritage Foundation [The Heritage Foundation], November 19, 2010. Accessed October 22, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaF1cpsDjf0&t=5s. Reply
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Brandi Gulick
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Brandi Gulick
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Oct 24, 2023
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Oct 24 at 7:19pm
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Hello Joshua,
First, excellent work on your post this week. Keep up the amazing work. You spoke about our founding fathers vision for society in terms of freedom to publicly practice faith, I agree with you. The moment the Government votes to take the foundational rights from the citizens, especially, the religious freedom to publicly proclaim Christ and to tell others of the good news is the day that the Declaration of Independence becomes just another ancient historical document found
in history courses and on that day freedom, as meant by the founding fathers, will cease to exist. Reply
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Alison Curenton
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Alison Curenton
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Oct 24, 2023
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Oct 24 at 1:01am
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The video narrated by Mathew Spalding implies that America has, to some extent, lost its way, and I think this is accurate. One of the founding principles
from this video that I think has most severely been forgotten is the Constitution of Limited Government. In the video, Spalding explains, "There's
an important distinction inherent in the American idea. We, the people, are sovereign. We have rights, government does not have any rights. It secures our rights. It only has the powers we have given it in our Constitution. The idea of a Limited Constitutional Government is a key principle of liberty. The more we turn over our lives to government, the more we turn over our lives to bureaucrats and become dependent, the less we are self-governing, and the less we are free" 1
. Many Americans today are unaware that we, the people, are the government. We know we have rights but are uneducated about what those rights are. We have become so dependent upon our government that we have forgotten what it means or what it looks like to be self-reliant. Working hard to maintain a homestead has been long forgotten, and the conveniences of living in rural communities with grocery stores on every corner have become the norm. Another principle that I think has been forgotten is the Rule of Law. Laws are supposed to be equally enforced to all people, whether you are an average working-class American citizen or an elite politician. All people, institutions, and entities are supposed to be treated
equally, and fair, and just but they are not. Elites get off the hook with bribes or blackmail, and there's nothing the regular average American can say or do about it. Work Cited
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"We Still Hold These Truths." The Heritage Foundation [The Heritage Foundation], November 19, 2010. Accessed October 22, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaF1cpsDjf0&t=5s. Reply
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Joshua Anicete
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Joshua Anicete
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Oct 26, 2023
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Oct 26 at 8:05pm
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Hello Alison,
Your analysis of the video narrated by Matthew Spalding is astute, and I share your view that America has somewhat deviated from its core principles. The principles of limited government and the rule of law, as emphasized in the video, have been notably forgotten. Many Americans have become reliant on the government, forgetting that
they, as citizens, are meant to be sovereign, with the government securing their rights. Additionally, the idea of equal law enforcement, irrespective of one's status, has been eroded, with elites sometimes avoiding consequences. Reply
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Kelly Bell
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Kelly Bell
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Oct 28, 2023
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Oct 28 at 2:44pm
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Hi Alison, I agree with Spalding that America has lost it's way in some respects. We are doing better than ever in some ways, however, we seem to have lost the principle that religous liberty and freedom has paved the way for free expression of our faith and beliefs without fear. Today, there is still antisemistism on places of worship which violates religious
freedom. The Good Society reminded me of how people were thought of and treated as "property" by branding them as a form of ownership. America has come far, however, there are still those who want to keep shackles of the mind and spirit.
kindly,
Kelly Bell
Govt 201
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