Constitution+Questions+MM

1. Of which state are you a citizen?

A. I am a citizen of the state of Connecticut.(Amedendment 14 section 1)

2. Are you eligible for the House of Representatives? The Senate? The Presidency? If not, why not?

I am not of age to be eligible, and haven't been in the U.S. for 14 years. I can't run for any of these positions at this point, but when I am of age to run for them, I am.(article 2 section 1 and article 1 section 2)

3.Bill Dodge, son of two United States citizens, was born in Niger during his parents’ African travels. Ousseini Abdoulaye was born in Niger on the very same day; Ousseini’s parents, however, were citizens of Niger. Ousseini later moves to the United States and becomes a United States citizen. Assume that both Bill and Ousseini are 40 years old and have lived in the United States for at least last 20 years. Is either Bill or Ousseini eligible to serve as President?

Bill is eligible because he is a U.S. citizen and has been for the the minimum 14 years. Also, his parents are U.S. citizens and if they were born in the U.S. he's a natural born citizen. Ousseini is not eligible for presidency because his parents are not U.S. citizens.

4. The original Constitution contemplated the continuation of slavery in those states that permitted slavery as of 1787. Find the first instance of the word “slave” or “slavery” in the Consti- tution. If you don’t find either of these words in the original Constitution, what are the hints that the original Constitution contemplated and tolerated slavery?

In article 1 section 9 on page 7 they talk about migration and IMPORTATION of people, which is when you own something and are sending it there.I think this is the hint of slavery.

9. When is Inauguration Day? Is it the same as the first day of a new congressional term?

Inauguration Day is January 20th, and the day of which the terms of Senators and Representatives ends January 3rd.(amendment 20 page 29 section 1)

10. What is the maximum time anyone may serve as President?

The maximum time anyone may serve as president is two terms of eight years.(amendment 22 page31 section 1)

11. What is the only part of the Constitution that may never be amended?

A state cannot be deprived of it's equal suffrage in the Senate.(article 5 page 15)

12. Speaking of amendments, name the commercial activity that the Framers of the Constitution declared off-limits to regu- lation via constitutional amendment until 1808 (i.e., 21 years af- ter the framing of the original Constitution).

No amendment made before 1808 shall affect the first and fourth clauses of the ninth section fo the first article.

13. Still speaking of amendments, how can they be made? (Name two methods.)

Whenever 2/3 of both houses deems it necessary, may add an amendment to the Constitution. Another way is if the application of legislatures of 2/3 of the states call a convention for adding amendments, and be ratified by 3/4 of the states.(article 5 page 15)

14. José and Maria Nazarena are citizens of El Salvador. They enter the United States illegally. Maria then gives birth to Jesus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Consulting only the Constitu- tion, name one country of which Jesus is a citizen.

Jesus is a citizen of the U.S. because he was born there, regardless of where his parents are from.(amendment 14 section 1 page 25)

15. In a fit of pique, the President decides to skip this year’s State of the Union address. As White House legal counsel, what do you advise?

I advise that if he thinks it's necessary, he may according to article 2 section 3 on page 12.

16. In a fit of pique (probably provoked by the flap over the State of the Union address), the House begins debating a bill to cut the President’s pay and Supreme Court Justices’ pay. As counsel to the Speaker of the House, what do you advise?

I advise that they look at the Constitution, because they cannot not increase or decrease his pay during his election period, and the Justices pay cannot be decreased.(Article 2 and 3 section 1 of both and pages 11 and 12) 19. Matt Nagel ultimately defeats Steve Scursso in a hotly contested race for Congress. The victorious Matt now represents Texas in the House of Representatives. His political “lone star” having risen swiftly, he now seeks a national politi- cal platform. He would like to be the running mate of her fellow Texan, Governor Renee DeLeon, the Reform Party nominee for President. As Matt’s political adviser, can you point out the constitutional flaw in the congressman’s vice-presidential am- bitions?

As Matt's political adviser I would tell him that the president and vice-president cannot be from the same state.(Amendment 12 page 24)

20. You have 5 Hawaiian dollars in your purse or wallet...how much of that can you spend in CT?

You can spend all 5 dollars in CT because the citizens of all states are entitled to the same rights.( Article 4 Section 2 Page 14)