POLS 210 WEEK 1: CONSTITUTION, HEALTHCARE, AND AMENDMENTS

Introduction to POLS 210 Week 1 Discussion

Welcome to the POLS 210 Week 1: Constitution, Healthcare, and Amendments. This first discussion post concerns your understanding of the Constitution, healthcare, and amendments. I will provide brief and descriptive guidelines to solve the Week 1 discussion post and a dummy solution for each section. This How-To Owlisdom Guide will equip you with guidelines to tackle all the queries related to the POLS 210 Week 1: Constitution, Healthcare, and Amendments. Let us begin with the guide.

Tell us your major at APU/AMU, how long you have been taking online courses, where you are located, what you hope to learn from this class, or whatever you want to share. It is your introduction.

Part One: About You

Week 1 task has two parts. In the first part, we will briefly introduce ourselves by mentioning our principal and our expectations from the course POLS 210.

• Introduce yourself.
• Major at APU/AMU: Briefly describe your major at APU/AMU and why you chose it. Please keep it simple and engaging.
• Mention how long you have taken online courses. A sentence or two will suffice.
• Share where you are located. This adds a personal touch and connects with the audience.
• Explain what you hope to learn in this class and your specific interests in the American government. Aim for enthusiasm and curiosity in your tone.

Example

Hello! I am majoring in political science at APU, and a passion draws me to understanding governmental processes. I have been taking online courses from my home in Virginia for a year. In POLS 210, I am eager to dive deeper into American government structures and their impact, hoping to harness this knowledge for civic engagement.

Part Two: Deep Dive into American Government

In the second part, we have to choose one topic to discuss briefly. I will provide guidelines and solutions to both parts. You can choose the one you think fits your needs.

1) Which provisions in the Constitution give the federal government power to create, regulate, and mandate healthcare policies, and according to whom? Provide a news article from the last eight weeks to illustrate government actions in the policy area. Be sure to apply concepts from the textbook and weekly content.

Federal Government’s Role in Healthcare Policies (Option 1):

• Identify and briefly explain the constitutional provisions that empower the federal government to regulate healthcare. Use simple language for clarity.
• Find a recent article related to federal government action in healthcare policy. Summarise the article and how it illustrates government power in healthcare.
• Connect the news story to concepts from your textbook or weekly content, explaining how the real-world example illustrates these concepts.

Example

The U.S. Constitution empowers the federal government to regulate healthcare mainly through the Commerce Clause and the power to tax and spend for the general welfare. The Commerce Clause allows Congress to regulate commerce among the states, which has been interpreted to include healthcare services and industries. The taxing and spending clause enables the government to fund healthcare initiatives and mandate healthcare policies by providing or withholding federal funds.

A recent article highlighted the Biden administration’s efforts to expand healthcare access through the Affordable Care Act. This action demonstrates the federal government’s use of its power to tax and spend to encourage states to increase healthcare coverage, showcasing the government’s role in shaping healthcare policy to promote general welfare.

Even though constitutional amendments are rare, there is often talk in America about changing the United States Constitution. Search recent news articles from the last eight weeks and report on a story about an effort to amend the U.S. Constitution. Explain why an amendment would be needed rather than just a fundamental change in federal law. Be sure to apply concepts from the textbook and weekly content.

Efforts to Amend the U.S. Constitution (Option 2):

• Search for and summarise a recent news story about efforts to amend the Constitution. Keep the summary concise and focused.
• Explain why the proposed change requires a constitutional amendment rather than a simple change in federal law. Use examples or textbook concepts to clarify the distinction.
• Link the news story to the relevant textbook or class content. Show how the effort to amend the Constitution reflects broader principles or challenges in American government.

Example

Recent discussions have centered on an initiative to amend the U.S. Constitution to implement term limits for Congress members. Due to the Constitution’s supremacy, this effort requires a constitutional amendment rather than just a federal law change. Federal laws can be altered or repealed by Congress or deemed unconstitutional by the courts. Still, an amendment would provide a permanent change that directly alters the foundational legal structure of the government. This initiative reflects the principle of checks and balances, aiming to prevent the concentration of power and promote political accountability. It demonstrates the complex process of amending the Constitution as a reflection of the desire for systemic change, echoing the textbook’s exploration of constitutional amendments as a tool for adapting governance to evolving societal values and needs.

Note: Remember, this is a fabricated example for illustrative purposes, designed to fit the guidelines provided.

Closing

By following this outline and guidelines, you can create a helpful and engaging guide for students exploring the complexities of the American Government.

Precap

In the next Discussion, Week 2, we will discuss Public Opinion and Political Participation by responding to one of the two prompts given in the instructions of POLS 210. Also, we will test