For this assignment, you will identify examples of constitutional principles in action.

You will do

this by completing the following steps:

1. Analyze: Explain which constitutional principle is demonstrated in each recent example.

2. Write: Write a reflective paragraph about which constitutional principle you consider to

be most relevant today.

To get the best grade possible, follow the instructions in the assignment closely and answer all

questions completely. This assignment is worth 10 points.

Carefully read the real-world scenarios described in each question and determine which of the

following constitutional principles each demonstrates:

● Popular sovereignty

● Republicanism

● Rule of law

● Limited government

● Federalism

● Separation of powers

● Checks and balances

This section is worth 4 points.

1. A high school student in San Antonio, Texas, who brought an unloaded handgun to school

was charged with violating the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990. The student challenged the

charge, claiming that Congress did not have the power to override state law within public

schools. In the 1995 case United States v. Lopez, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress did not

have the power to regulate public schools. Instead, the Court found that that power belonged to

individual states.

Explain which constitutional principle this scenario illustrates. What evidence led you to that

conclusion? (1 point)

Federalism, The text in the question reflects the principle of federalism.

The constitutional principle of federalism states that the United States is a perpetual union of
individual states, that voluntarily give only some specific powers to a central, federal
government. The constitution says that the federal government only has those powers
specifically stated by the constitution. These are the powers that individual states have
submitted to the federal government. Everything else, is left to the states. And the right to
regulate public school is one of those things that are left to the states.

2. In 2008, President George W. Bush vetoed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and

Providers Act after it had passed Congress. Both houses of Congress voted to override the

president's veto, and the act became law on July 15, 2008.
Explain which constitutional principle this scenario illustrates. What evidence led you to that

conclusion? (1 point)

The constitutional principle used in this scenario was Separation of Power

In the year President George W.Bush vetoed ,the Medicare Improvements for Patients and
Providers Act after it had passed Congress. the Congress used its power to override that veto
with a two-thirds vote in each house, and the act became law on July 15, 2008 .

3. In 2010, the United States conducted a census to count all citizens in each state. The results

were used to reassess the number of seats each state was awarded in the House of

Representatives. States whose populations had increased, like Texas and Florida, gained seats

in Congress, while states whose populations had decreased, like New York and Ohio, lost seats.

Explain which constitutional principle this scenario illustrates. What evidence led you to that

conclusion? (1 point)

Popular sovereignty since this is showing that the people are the ones electing representatives.
4. In 2010, Randy Terrill, a state representative from Oklahoma, offered a bribe to a state senator

to get her to leave her office. After an investigation, a judge decided that there was enough

evidence that Terrill had violated the law, and he was tried in court. In 2013, Terrill was convicted

of bribery and sentenced to one year in prison.

Explain which constitutional principle this scenario illustrates. What evidence led you to that

conclusion? (1 point)

This scenario illustrates a principle of rule of law. Because Terrill offered a state senator a bribe
to leave her office. And it is unethical for a public servant to collect bribe in order to do
something..

You will now write a reflective paragraph that clearly explains which constitutional principle

you consider to be most important today and why you think so. Your paragraph should be at

least five sentences in length. The writing portion of this assignment is worth 6 points.
One of the most important constitutional principles, if not the most important, is separation of
powers. The doctrine of the Separation of Powers was developed by French philosopher
Montesquieu, and establishes that the power of the state should be divided among three
independent branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary. Separation of powers is
important because it ensures that no branch of government is too powerful, and as a result, is a
great prevention against tyranny and dictatorship.