Town hall Rants

A Civil Discourse

To win an election you have to get out and meet the people, shake some hands, and kiss some babies.

You will be making three appearances in your district to talk directly to the voters.

You will give them some RANTS to REMEMBER!!

Let them know where you stand on important issues in our country!

RANT = EMOTIONAL, HEART POUNDING, EDUCATED OPINION ON A TOPIC. MAKE IT CLEAR WHICH SIDE YOU ARE ON & SUPPORT IT WITH EVIDENCE!

Requirements

1. Give three - 2:30 - 4:00 min speeches.

2. Use governmental language.

3. Explore the current interpretation of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Possible Topics

• Choose an amendment and explain its current interpretation.
• Suggest modifications to an Amendment
• Explain and evaluate the dissenting opinion in a Supreme Court Case.
• Are NSA investigations a violation of the Bill of Rights?
• What cases in SCOTUS history have hinged on the 9th Amendment? 10th Amend.?
• What is the interpretation of the SCOTUS in relationship of the 1st Amendment and the American Flag?
• How can the Amendment process be easier?
• How has the commerce clause been expanded by the SCOTUS?
• What cases have addressed Habeas Corpus?
• Examine 1st Amendment right to freedom of press and what role the mainstream media should take in a diverse democracy.
• Is it Illegal to teach evolution in schools?
• Other Amendments considered that have not been added.
• Track SCOTUS rulings on 2nd Amendment.
• What was rationale of the New Haven Eminent Domain case?
• According to SCOTUS why was Westboro Baptist Church allowed to protest?
• What are acceptable forms of the Death Penalty?
• Was South Dakota v. Dole an over reach by the Federal Government?
• What does the SCOTUS say about free speech/social media in school?
• What role has the SCOTUS played in relationship to Health Care?
• Should Facebook and other social media block fake news ads and posts?
• Can someone refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance?
• Should DACA be renewed?
• Should the Presidential line item Veto be Constitutional?
• What does the SCOTUS say about prayer in school?
• Dissenting opinion of yesterday that is in the majority today - Ex: Plessy v. Ferguson
• Explore right to privacy in the SCOTUS - Ex. Abortion
• Can the President block the press?
• What does the court say about searches in school?
• Examine Court rulings on Election Laws and the First Amendment?
• How has the SCOTUS been able to check the Executive Branch?
• Is a “Terry stop” a violation of your 4th Amendment rights?
• Why the dissent was correct in Miranda v. Arizona.
• Did the Founders resolve the issue of slavery in the Constitutional Convention?
• Evidence of Classical Republicanism or Natural Rights in the Constitution and in action today.
• The body of the Constitution (without the Amendments) protects your rights.
• The President of the United States should be elected by popular vote.
• Amendments from FDR’s 2nd Bill of Rights should be adopted.
• Explore the Slaughter House Cases in relation to the 14th Amendment.
• Citizens Should or should not be required to have a government issued photo ID to vote.
• Should local government do more to help it’s people?
• Which level of government is best equipped to insure equal rights? Federal or state.
• Senate should or should not get rid of the Filibuster.
• (ERA) Equal Rights Amendment should be adopted.
• United States should provide childcare for working mothers.
• How did the United States as settle the case of Korematsu?
• Is the power of Judicial Review in the Constitution?
• What should be the grounds for impeachment?
• Explain an executive order and its effects on policy in the U.S.
• Under what circumstances should the 25th Amendment be used to remove the President from power?
• How has the idea of being able to vote changed since the founding of our country?
• Explore a position on Net Neutrality.
• What constitutes Obstruction of Justice and how has it been applied to impeachments?
• Do we still need military Draft? Where is it justified in the Constitution?
• What role should the government take to protect the environment?
• Should the government pass a balanced budget Amendment?
• Should an Amendment be passed that puts term limits on congress?