Thomas Jefferson: Letter to The Abbe Arnoux

“We think, in America, that it is necessary to introduce the people into every department of government as far as they are capable of exercising it, and that is the only way to insure a long continued and honest administration of its powers.”

This quote is trying to say that Americans believe that it is a must that when someone is trained in every aspect of government they have the capacity to be good at what they are trained to do. As far as they will be able to bring about change and make the right decisions when it comes to a nation. The quote also explains that it is these individuals who are trained that will bring honesty and serve a good term, while using their powers correctly in this administration.

I choose this quote because I completely disagree with what the quote entitles I believe that there is a lot of corruption in government today. And is not the one with the most honesty and training that is chosen, yet the one who tells the best lies the most and has the most money for campaigns. Quality of character has nothing to do with who is elected into government; unfortunately other parts come into action. Who you know sometimes is the key, yes there are exceptions but these are rare. But there is still hope that things will change, until then voters just have to be sure of the decisions they make.

Possible Midterm Questions.

1. The Constitution of 1789 involves the three branches of government. Name what they are, and explain what how each of them play a role in our government.

2. The ten amendments included in the constitution dictate certain right that we possess as free individuals. What are your thought on how well government allows us to express these freely?

The Constitution: Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial Jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witness against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witness in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

This amendment means that all who are prosecuted by the law are by the constitution entitled to a speedy trial. The trial has to be in the state where the crime was committed; the jury has to be picked out of the same state. The jury has to one that is unbiased and will not bring pre-judgments in to the trial against the individual. The person accused has to be informed to what degree and the causes of the crime that has been committed, as well as what necessary steps are going to be taken. The person accused can be confronted by the jury; the individual accused has the right to bring a witness of their own to testify in their favor. The person accused also has the right to pick a lawyer of their own.

I picked this amendment because it is obvious that the constitution is not followed at this time in age. The rights to those accused and are being prosecuted by law are slowly altered to the convenience of the law. There are those still in jail who await a trial giving the contradiction that a defendant has a right to a speedy and public trial. There are many loopholes that take away the rights of these individuals to even pick their own lawyers, and when it comes to the accused being able to bring their own witness at many times the jury treats them so harshly that this will backfire against them. I believe that these amendments need either to be followed exactly as they were written or need to be updated with what goes on in the society now a days.