Filthy 50 Semester 2

Tinker v. Des Moines

Students protested the war in Vietnam by wearing black armbands. Ruled in favor of Tinker b/c of the first amendment.

McDonald v.Chicago

Chicago refused to give out handgun licenses. Ruled in favor of McDonald under the 2nd amendment and incorporated by the 14th amendment b/c of self defense.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Amish parents refused to enroll students in school past the 8th grade. Ruled in favor of Yoder under the first amendment’s free exercise clause.

NY Times Co v. U.S.

NY Times published the Pentagon papers and Nixon was not a fan of this. Ruled in favor of NY Times b/c of the first amendment freedom of press.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Gideon was not provided with an attorney because at the time, Florida only had to provide one if he committed a capital crime. He committed a felony. Unanimous ruled in favor of Gideon under the 6th amendment right to counsel.

Schenck v. U.S.

Socialist Schenck was publishing and handing out pamphlets that opposed the military draft. He was charged with a conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act of 1917. The Court ruled in favor of U.S. b/c he provided clear and present danger, so his actions were not protected under the first amendment.

Brown v. Board

A black girl had to walk far each day to go to the only nearby black school. The Court ruled that the separate but equal doctrine and thus segregation in public places was unconstitutional under the 14th amendment’s equal protection clause.

Engel v. Vitale

School-led prayer violated the establishment clause of the first amendment. Ruled in favor of Engel.

Federalist 70

Essay written by Hamilton. It argued that an energetic unitary executive is best to protect against foreign attacks.

Federalist 78

An essay written by Hamilton, discusses the importance of an independent judiciary and the power of judicial review in interpreting the Constitution.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

A letter written by MLK that explained why he believed people had a responsibility to follow just laws and a duty to break unjust ones.

14th amendment due process clause

No state can take away a person's life, liberty, or property without following the proper legal procedures.

14th amendment equal protection clause

Ensures that no state can deny any person within its jurisdiction equal protection under the law.

Watchdog

An organization or institution that closely monitors the actions of the government and holds it accountable for any wrongdoing or corruption.

Scorekeeper

The media or public opinion that keeps track of the government's performance, policies, and actions.

Gatekeeper

Individuals or institutions that control access to political power or resources. They have the authority to decide who can participate in the political process and influence policy decisions.

Spin

The practice of presenting information or events in a way that favors a particular political agenda or viewpoint.

Exit Poll

A survey conducted during elections to gather information about how people voted. It provides early insights into voting patterns and trends, helping to analyze the outcomes and understand the preferences of the electorate.

The Impact of Social Media

The influence and effects that social media have on political communication, public opinion, and election campaigns. Social media can shape political discourse, mobilize movements, and provide a platform for citizens to express their views.

Visual

Any form of visual representation, such as images, graphs, charts, or videos, that is used to convey information or messages related to politics.

Candidate Centered Campaigns

Political campaigns that focus primarily on promoting and highlighting the individual candidate running for office, rather than solely focusing on party platforms or policies. Most elections swing this way nowadays.

Random Polls

A survey or research method used to gather data and opinions from a randomly selected sample of individuals within a population. Random polls are conducted to gauge public opinion on various political issues, measure support for candidates, or assess the overall sentiment of the electorate.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A provision in the United States Constitution Article 1 Section 8 Clause 18 that grants Congress the power to make laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.

Franking Privilege

The ability of members of Congress to send official mail, including letters, newsletters, and other materials, without having to pay for postage.

Gerrymandering

The practice of manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts to favor a particular political party or group.

Pork Barrel

The practice of legislators securing funding for specific projects or programs that primarily benefit their constituents or home districts.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging political favors or support between legislators. It involves making deals or agreements where legislators support each other's proposals or initiatives in order to gain support for their own.

Constituent Service

The assistance and support that elected officials provide to their constituents. It involves helping individuals navigate government agencies, addressing concerns or issues raised by constituents, and providing information or resources to assist them.

Commerce Clause

A provision in the United States Constitution Article 1 Section 8 Clause 3 that grants Congress the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. It has been interpreted to give Congress broad authority to regulate various aspects of economic activity that affect interstate trade.

Incumbent

The current officeholder who is seeking re-election. It is the person who currently holds the position and is running for another term.

Bully Pulpit

The influential platform that the President has to shape public opinion and advocate for their policies.

State of the Union

An annual address delivered by the President to Congress and the nation, where they outline their legislative agenda and provide an update on the country's condition.

New Deal

A series of domestic programs and reforms implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression. It expanded the role of the federal government in the economy and social welfare, significantly increasing presidential power and setting a precedent for future presidents to take an active role in addressing economic challenges.

Cabinet

A group of high-ranking officials appointed by the President to advise and assist in decision-making. Each member heads a specific department or agency, such as the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense.

White House Staff

Individuals who work directly for the President in various roles, such as advisors, assistants, and communication specialists. They provide support to the President in carrying out their duties and managing the operations of the White House.

Revolving Door

The movement of individuals between government positions and roles in the private sector. It often involves former government officials or employees transitioning to jobs in industries they previously regulated, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Chief Executive

The President serves as the Chief Executive of the United States, responsible for implementing and enforcing laws, managing the executive branch, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the federal government.

Executive Privilege

The principle that allows the President to withhold certain information from the public, Congress, or the courts in order to protect the confidentiality of internal deliberations or national security interests.

U.S. v. Nixon

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1974 that affirmed the principle that the President is not immune from legal action and must comply with subpoenas and other legal requests for evidence. It arose from the Watergate scandal and ultimately led to President Richard Nixon's resignation.

Bureaucracy

The complex system of government agencies, departments, and offices that implement and administer laws and regulations. Sometimes referred to as the fourth branch of the national government.

Selective Incorporation

The process through which the protections of the Bill of Rights are applied to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. It ensures that fundamental rights and liberties are upheld at both the federal and state levels.

Court Opinion

A written statement that explains the reasoning behind a court's decision in a case. It provides an interpretation of the law and sets a precedent for future cases.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1803 that established the principle of judicial review. It affirmed the Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional and played a significant role in shaping the balance of power between the branches of government.

Litmus Test

A set of questions or criteria used to evaluate a candidate's political ideology or stance on specific issues. It is often used to determine whether a nominee for a judicial or government position aligns with certain ideological beliefs.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a higher court to review and potentially change the decisions made by lower courts. It allows for the review of legal errors or issues of law in the original trial.

Rule of Four

A practice in the Supreme Court where at least four out of the nine justices must agree to hear a case for it to be granted a writ of certiorari, which is the Court's decision to review a case.

Writ of Certiorari

“To be more informed.” A legal order issued by a higher court, such as the Supreme Court, to review the decision of a lower court. It is typically granted when the higher court believes the case involves significant legal issues or conflicts with previous court decisions.

Solicitor General

The third-highest-ranking official in the Department of Justice and serves as the government's representative in cases before the Supreme Court. They present the government's arguments and opinions on legal matters.

Stare Decisis/Precedent

Latin for "to stand by things decided," refers to the principle of following established legal precedents in deciding current cases. It promotes consistency and stability in the interpretation and application of the law.

Judicial Activism v. Judicial Restraint

Judicial activism refers to the actions of using the power of judicial review; Judicial restraint refers to the action of refusing to use judicial review.