POL110 U.S. Government Week 10: Assignment 2: It May Not Wor

POL110 U.S. Government Week 10: Assignment 2: It May Not Work in Politics

Write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which the student addresses the following three (3) items using headers to separate each response: Congressional Ethics. Identify one (1) member of Congress who has been charged with ethics violations. Briefly discuss the reason for the charges and provide two (2) reasons why you agree or disagree with the verdict and any penalties. Provide examples to support your answer.

Note: Consider how the verdict and penalties impacts your trust of the members of Congress. Third Party Candidates. Discuss two (2) political reasons why a third party candidate has never been successful in winning a presidential election. Provide examples to support the answer. Note: Consider the political impact of the Republican and Democratic Party if a third party was successful.

Federal and State Authority. Identify one (1) current issue facing the United States today. Analyze the respective roles of Federal and state authorities in addressing the issue. Determine whether the U. S. Constitution constrains the Federal and state responses to the issue. Explain. In your research, you cannot use Wikipedia, online dictionaries, Sparknotes, Cliffnotes, or any other Website do that do not qualify as an academic resource. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

Paper For Above instruction

The exploration of American politics often highlights complexities within Congressional ethics, third-party candidacy viability, and the interplay between federal and state authorities. In this paper, these issues are analyzed to better understand their impacts on the political landscape and Trust in government institutions.

Congressional Ethics and Its Impact on Trust

One notable instance of ethics violations in Congress involves Representative William Jefferson of Louisiana. In 2009, Jefferson was charged with federal offenses related to accepting bribes, arguing influence-buying, and money laundering (Roig-Franzia & Newmyer, 2009). The charges stemmed from allegations that Jefferson had accepted bribes from business entities seeking contracts in West Africa, leveraging his congressional position for financial gain. The verdict led to Jefferson's conviction, resulting in a 13-year prison sentence, which was later commuted by President Trump in 2017 (Gillman, 2017). I agree with the verdict because it upholds the integrity of the legislative branch and emphasizes accountability. Such penalties are necessary deterrents to unethical conduct, reinforcing public confidence when appropriately applied. Conversely, critics argue that harsh penalties may be politicized or disproportionate, potentially undermining trust for some constituents. Nevertheless, legal and ethical accountability remains crucial for maintaining the trustworthiness of members of Congress.

Challenges Faced by Third-Party Candidates

Third-party candidates have historically struggled to secure presidential victories due to two main political reasons. First, the 'winner-takes-all' electoral system in most states disadvantages third-party candidates, as they rarely secure enough electoral votes to sway the outcome or even gain significant statewide support (Rosenstone & Hansen, 1993). Second, the dominance of the Republican and Democratic parties creates institutional barriers through ballot access laws, media coverage, and campaign financing, which favor established parties (Ladner, 2004). For example, the Libertarian Party's persistent inability to win major elections demonstrates these systemic challenges. If a third party candidate were to succeed, it might cause significant shifts within the two-party system, potentially weakening the political influence of the major parties and altering campaign dynamics. Nonetheless, these systemic hurdles reinforce why third-party candidates rarely break through despite public dissatisfaction with party elites.

Current Issue and Federal-State Roles

One pressing issue facing the United States today is climate change and environmental sustainability. Addressing this issue requires coordinated efforts between federal and state governments. The federal government plays a vital role by establishing national policies, regulations, and international commitments, such as the Clean Power Plan and participation in global climate accords (EPA, 2022). Conversely, state governments implement localized initiatives, enforce environmental laws, and foster renewable energy projects tailored to regional contexts. The U.S. Constitution, particularly the Commerce Clause, constrains federal and state responses by delineating their respective powers; for example, the federal government's authority to regulate interstate commerce can influence state environmental policies (U.S. Const., Art. I, § 8). While this division of responsibilities fosters a cooperative federalism approach, it can also pose challenges when federal and state policies conflict or when legal constraints impede prompt action. Overall, constitutional provisions underpin the cooperative yet sometimes contentious relationship necessary to combat climate change effectively.

Conclusion

In summary, the integrity of Congressional ethics, the structural hurdles for third-party presidential candidates, and the collaborative yet constrained efforts of federal and state authorities are central themes that influence American governance. Ensuring ethical conduct reinforces trust in legislative institutions, understanding systemic limitations explains the electoral challenges third parties face, and recognizing constitutional boundaries facilitates effective policymaking. These elements are interconnected, shaping the vitality and resilience of the U.S. political system.

References

• EPA. (2022). Climate change. United States Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/climate-change
• Gillman, J. (2017). Ex-Rep. William Jefferson’s sentence commuted. The Washington Times.
• Ladner, A. (2004). The Politics of the 2000 Presidential Election. Praeger.
• Roig-Franzia, M., & Newmyer, J. (2009). Rep. William Jefferson indicted on federal charges. The Washington Post.
• Rosenstone, S. J., & Hansen, R. D. (1993). Mobilization, Participation, and Democracy in America. Macmillan.