Congress

There are many things that Congress is responsible for. (ex: passing bills, oversight functions, doing things for their constituents (constituent services), obtaining money: pork, discussing issues in committees, etc). Answer BOTH of the following: What do you think the most important duty of a congressman is and why? AND Should congressmen have term limits? Why or why not?

Defendents Rights

Respond to one of the following:

A. Is it ever ok for the government to interfere or limit a defendents due process rights? (For example: What if the police feel certain a person has committed many murders but they do not have enough evidence to arrest the person. Is it ok for the police to interfere with the person's right to privacy or is in the public's best interest (safety) to infringe on this person's rights and protect a possible "future victim?"

B. The Supreme Court has recently agreed to hear Jeff Skilling's case (connected with Enron). One of the arguments that Mr. Skilling's defense team is putting forth is that he was not able to have a fair trial because of the media coverage. What do you think about this? Do you think that Mr. Skilling will win his argument? (The other arugment is that the "honest service" law that was used against him was unconstitutiona.) How do you think all of the former Enron employees will feel about this?

Your Rights

Choose either (one of the following two) to respond to:

1) Out of all of the Bill of Rights, which is the most important to YOU and why?

OR

2) Should students (in school) have the same rights as citizens outside of school? (Ex: freedom of speech, search and seizure, etc.? Why or why not?