Updated version of our Civics 201 presentation

1. OUR GOVERNMENT
And what you can do about it
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2. •Outline of Government – Federal, State, Local
•Overview of Constitution and Bill of Rights
•Political Parties
•Running for Office
•How to find out about your elected officials
•What money does in political campaigns
•What your elected officials know about you
•Where you can get involved
What this will cover
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3. GOVERNMENT HIGH LEVEL
OVERVIEW
From the least powerful to the most powerful (theoretically)
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4. Fundamental Principle
 Elected offices always have power
over appointed offices
 Major problem with Congress – they
have become administrators
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5. Federal Government
 From the US Constitution
 Legislative (Article I) - Makes law, raises
revenue
 Executive (Article II) - Executes the law
 Judicial (Article III) - Interprets the law
 NO branch is supposed to take on the role of
the other!
 Branches are NOT "coequal” !
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6. Federal Government
• President - Every
4 years
• Congress – Every
2 years (People’s
House)
• Senate - Every 6
• Responsibilities
specified in US
Constitution
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7. Difference – House & Senate
 Legislative Branch is Senate and the House of
Representatives
 Both Senators and Representatives can be
called Congressmen
 Senate, 100 members, elect every 6 years
 House, 435 members, elect every 2 years
 All spending bills supposed to originate in the
House
 17th Amendment messed up the system
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8. Forms of Congressional Action
 Bill - Most common. Must pass both houses
and be signed by President
 Joint Resolutions - Almost like a Bill
 Concurrent Resolutions - Something that
affects House and Senate only. President
doesn't sign.
 Simple Resolutions - Concerns only operation
of House or Senate alone. No Presidential
action needed
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9. Overview of Constitution
 Article:
1. Establishes and defines the powers of Congress (by
far the largest section).
2. Establishes the presidency.
3. Establishes the court system.
4. Says that each state must give "full faith and credit"
to the laws of other states.
5. Explains how to amend the Constitution.
6. Establishes the Constitution as the "supreme law of
the land.“
7. Says that if nine of the 13 states ratifies the
Constitution, it will take effect.
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10. Most good quotes are from the Declaration
“When in the Course of human events, it
becomes necessary for one people to dissolve
the political bands which have connected
them with another, and to assume among the
powers of the earth, the separate and equal
station to which the Laws of Nature and of
Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to
the opinions of mankind requires that they
should declare the causes which impel them to
the separation.”
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11. Most good quotes are from the Declaration
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that
all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,
Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
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12. Most good quotes are from the Declaration
"...with a firm reliance on the protection of
divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each
other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred
Honor.”
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13. Congress follows the Constitution
(pause for laughter)
 Constitution can’t be changed, but it can be
Amended (ArticleV)
 Representative James Madison introduced 19
Amendments in first Congress to further define
power split between govt. and people
 Congress consolidated it to 12 and sent to states
 States ratified 10 (numbers 3 – 12) as Bill of
Rights
 Ratified number 2 in 1992 as the 27th
Amendment (Congressional pay raise delayed)
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14. Madison’s First Amendment
After the first enumeration required by the first article of
the Constitution, there shall be one Representative for
every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one
hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by
Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred
Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every
forty thousand persons, until the number of
Representatives shall amount to two hundred; after which
the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there
shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor
more than one Representative for every fifty thousand
persons
Is now about one Representative for every 700,000
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15. Madison’s Second Amendment
Congress pay raise applies to next Congress.
Became the 27th amendment to the U.S.
Constitution in 1992.
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16. Didn’t make the cut, unfortunately
Madison wanted a Pre-Preamble:
“First.That there be prefixed to the Constitution a
declaration, that all power is originally vested in, and
consequently derived from, the people.
That Government is instituted and ought to be exercised for
the benefit of the people; which consists in the
enjoyment of life and liberty, with the right of acquiring
and using property, and generally of pursuing and
obtaining happiness and safety.
That the people have an indubitable, unalienable, and
indefeasible right to reform or change their Government,
whenever it be found adverse or inadequate to the
purposes of its institution.”
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17. How to remember the Bill of Rights
(you know more than you think...)
1 - Freedom of religion, speech, and the press.
2 - Keep and bear arms.
3 - Forced quartering of troops.
4 - Unreasonable searches and seizures.
5 - Due process, double jeopardy self-incrimination.
6 - Rights of the accused, speedy public trial, have an attorney.
7 -Trial by Jury
8 - Cruel and unusual punishments, Excessive bail.
9 - Rights that are not enumerated in the Constitution are retained
by the people (Constitution doesn’t list all rights).
10 - Reserves for the states (or people) all powers that are not
explicitly granted to the federal government
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18. Notes on Bill of Rights
 A citizen cannot violate another
citizen’s rights
 Power comes from the people and is
only on loan to the government
 Consequently, government cannot do
anything you can’t do yourself
 Clarifies rights already in the
Constitution
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19. Amending the Constitution
 Two ways amendments are proposed:
 Congress proposes
 States propose (Convention of States or
ArticleV Convention)
 Proposed amendments sent to states,
Three Fourths (38) must ratify
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20. State Government
• Georgia GeneralAssembly (House and
Senate)
• All members elected every 2 years
• Governor – 4-year term
• Responsibilities of each specified in
Georgia StateConstitution
• Has its own police force
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21. 21

22. Georgia General Assembly
 House has 180
members, one for
each House
District
 Senate has 56
members, one for
each Senate
District
 Everyone has 1 of
each Georgia Senate District Map 22

23. Georgia has its own Bill of Rights!
 Article I, Section I, Paragraphs 1 - 28
 Paragraph I. Life, liberty, and property.
 Paragraph II. Protection to person and property;
equal protection.
 Paragraph III. Freedom of conscience.
 Paragraph IV. Religious opinions; freedom of
religion
 ParagraphV. Freedom of speech and of the press
guaranteed.
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24. Georgia Legislation
 House Bill (HB xxx)
 House Resolution (HR xxx)
 Senate Bill (SB xxx)
 Senate Resolution (SR xxx)
 Bills need to pass one house by Crossover Day
and BOTH houses before 40 days and be
signed by Governor. Resolutions do not need
Governor signature.
 Frequently similar bills will be 'dropped' in
both the House and the Senate
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25. Gwinnett County Government
• Run by County Commissioners
• Chairman + 1 Commissioner for each of 4
districts
• Primarily Land Use Decisions (zonings,
roads, parks, etc.)
• Elected every 4 years
• Has its own police force
• Is considered a 'municipality'
• 159 counties in Georgia
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26. 26

27. School Board
 School Board members are elected
 Oversee operation of County public schools
 In Gwinnett, serve a 4-year staggered term
 5 Districts, one member serves as Chairman,
one asVice Chair
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28. Judges
 Most judges in Georgia are elected, but most
be a lawyer
 Supreme Court – Nonpartisan, 6-year terms
 Court of Appeals – Nonpartisan, 6-year terms
 Superior Court – Nonpartisan, 4-year terms
 Probate Court – Partisan, 4-year terms
 State Court – Nonpartisan, 4-year terms
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29. Local Government (sometimes)
• Run by City Council
• Mayor plus Councilmen
• Primarily Land Use Decisions (zonings, roads,
parks, etc.) within City boundaries
• Frequently has its own police force
• NOTE – At every level, only elected officials can
make law, raise taxes, condemn property
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30. Planning and Zoning
• County and City
• Planning and Zoning
Commissioners (appointed)
• Can not approve or deny land use
–make recommendations to
elected officials
• Combined with City Council or
County Commission have great
control over what you can do
with your ‘private’ property
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31. Planning and Zoning
 Any development or zoning change near you
may affect quality of life and/or property
value
 Zoning can be Double Edged Sword
 Rights of the community override rights of the individual property
owner
 Individual property owner value protected through stability of values
 P&Z board only acts on changes in zoning
requested by owner
 Every applicant for zoning change says
property not best use
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32. Property also
controlled through
permitting
 City/County can rarely force new zoning
 New regulations are enforced through
permitting process and things like C/O
 Conditions also imposed on new construction
(sidewalks)
 Eminent Domain:
 Takings for public good
 Kelo v. City of New London – 2005
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33. Homeowners Associations
 A covenant among neighbors
 Usually run by an HOA board
 Has (limited) authority over private
property use
 Is usually set up as a corporation
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34. How these governments work
together
 Federal – Authority outlined in the US
Constitution
 State – Authority outlined in State Constitution
 County – Granted authority by the State
 City – Granted authority by the State
 P&Z – Authority from municipality
 HOA – Granted authority by the State
 State government should have more authority
over citizens than the Federal government does
 ‘Lower’ authority cannot make laws that
contradict ‘higher’ authority
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35. Sheriff
 Ultimate law enforcement agency in Georgia
(they work directly for people as elected officers)
 Constitutional officer deriving powers from
Georgia’s Constitution and common law.
 Not a department of county government, not
subject to the county government
 Sheriffs and their deputies have statewide
jurisdiction.
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36. Who is my representative?
 You have a BUNCH of them!
 Who you contact depends on what you need
 President of United States
 US Senator, Congressman
 GA Governor
 Other Constitutional Offices (SOS, AG, etc.)
 State Senator, Representative
 County Commissioner
 < too many to list on this slide>
 HOA Board
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37. POLITICAL PARTIES IN
GEORGIA
37

38. Political Parties
 Not related to government at all –
more like a club
 Make their own rules (subject to laws)
 Have ballot access (no petitions
necessary)
 Run their own elections or
nominations
 Present a single candidate for the
‘official’ election in the Fall
38

39. Republican Party (GOP) in GA
 National Party
 State Party
 Congressional District Party
 County Party
 Each party is independent, has its own
officers, runs its own officer elections
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40. Republican Party
 Party Officers are elected by Delegates in
‘off’ years at conventions
 Any registered voter can serve as a
Delegate or an Officer
 Delegates generally get started at the
County level at Precinct Caucuses
 Precinct Caucuses for Gwinnett are coming
up on March 13 and March 20
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41. What is the Tea Party?
 Not an official Political Party
 Not organized nationally
 EachTea Party makes its own rules
 Truly ground up
 Anyone can start aTea Party
 Most are tax exempt for donations
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42. HOW TO RUN FOR OFFICE
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43. 1. Decide How to Run
 4 ways to get on the ballot (Ballot Access)
 Through an official Party (nominated via primary
election)
 As candidate for a recognized political
organization
 As an independent
 As a write-in (similar to independent but can
qualify later)
 Political Organization and Independent need
a petition with some minimum number of
registered voters in your district.
43

44. 2. Decide the office
 ‘Smaller’ (local) offices are much easier
for first-time candidates (i.e., HOA
board)
 Almost impossible to run for higher office
without being well known and connected
 Campaign costs are also much less for
local offices (but you don’t have to use
any of your own money in any race)
44

45. 3. Qualify
 Qualifications vary by office
 Pay qualifying fee ($5,220 for US
Senate/Congress, $400 state
senate/representative, etc.)
 Qualifying dates are set months
before the primary
45

46. 4. Campaign!
 Build an organization
 Raise money
 Spend money
 Convince people to vote for you
46

47. What can you find out about them?
•Voting history and record
•Ratings by well known groups
•Who they get money from
•Who they give money to
•Their contact information (address, phone,
email)
Elected Officials
47

48. Congressional Voting History
(VoteSmart.org)
48

49. Ratings (VoteSmart.org)
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50. Ratings (AFPScorecard.org)
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51. Ratings (heritageactionscorecard.com)
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52. Who they get money from
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53. Who they get money from
53

54. What can they find out about you?
•Your voting history and record
•Who you give money to
•Your interests
•Your contact information (address,
phone, email)
Voters
54

55. Unusual because
everyone is a
registered voter
1 – Mark Hard and
Soft Republicans
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
2 – Mark Hard and
Soft Democrats
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
3 – Identify
Unknown
?
55

56. Decide how to
proceed based on
additional info:
SHERIDAN & SHERRYL BAILEY
W-White / Caucasian
Over 70
B-Day - 10/1/1942, 9/25/1947
English/Welsh decent
Not Likely to have a child
Income - $75000-99999
Bach Degree Likely
Professional/Technical
Upper Management/Executive
Family Magazine
DIY Magazine
Health/Fitness Magazine
Donate to Charity
Don’t give to politicians
Bought home 2008 for $276k
Vote in Primaries and Runoff
SCBAILEY@COMCAST.NET
770-614-1535
34.079993, -83.945846
56

57. Typical Canvassing App
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58. Now you know. What will you do?
 Vote (but research first!)
 Learn the names of all your representatives and
get to know them
 Think of issues you care about, ask your reps
 Stay involved:
 Join local GOP and attend monthly breakfast
 Continue to attendTea Party meetings
 Attend government meetings
 Write letters to the editor, post on websites
 It is not hard – it just takes time. But there are
not many things that are more important!
58

59. What office can I run for?
 Below Congress, have to live in the district
(actual city limits, County district, School
District, State House, etc.)
 Also consider appointed positions (great way
to get started)
59

60. Can you answer?
 1. Who is your State Representative? State Senator?
 2.Who is our current Governor?
 3.Who is your US Representative?
 4.Who are our US Senators?
 5. Who signs a bill into law? Who vetos bills?
 6.What is required for a constitutional amendment?
 7. How many days are in the legislative session?
 8.What is a committee?
 9.What can happen in a committee?
 10.What does the Rules Committee decide?
 11. Who is the majority in Georgia?
 12.What is a lobbyist?
 13. How long is a run-off?
 14.What is a Special Election?
 15. What is the maximum personal contribution to a political candidate in the state of
Georgia?
 16.What is a PAC?
 17. What is Sine Die?
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