1.Legislative and Executive Powers Congress passes legislation and the president is tasked with implementing that legislation unless the legislation is vetoed. The powers of both the legislative and executive branches were on full display with the passage and implementation of the Patriot Act. The U.S. Patriot Act was signed into law on October 26, 2001 – after the events of September 11th that same year. This act was passed because the legislative and executive branches felt there was a need for more cooperation between key government intelligence agencies and broader powers for law enforcement and the overall goal was a safer more secure United States. However, as the events of September 11th become a more distant memory, many have begun to question whether the Patriot Act is too broad in its scope and if the Act infringes on individual civil rights and liberties. In your opinion, does the Patriot Act infringe on civil rights and liberties? Explain your reasoning, discuss why you do or do not support the Patriot Act, and provide at real-world examples/evidence that support your answer. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7. 2.Federalism and the Exercise of National Power Our federal government has many duties, obligations, and powers under the Constitution. Some scholars argue that the reach of the federal government should be limited and constrained. Other scholars argue that the federal government should not be constrained or limited where the welfare of the U.S. people is concerned. For example, in the case, Gonzales v. Raich, the boundaries of the federal government’s definition of interstate commerce are in question. In this case, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents took marijuana plants from a woman’s home in California under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. However, under California’s Compassionate Use Act of 1996, the plants were allowed for medical use. For this discussion, address the following questions: a.Does the federal government have the right to ban marijuana under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution? b.Is this an overreach of the federal system, or is this effort in line with the duties and obligations of our central government described in the Constitution? Be sure to explain your reasoning, discuss why you do or do not think this issue is an overreach of the federal government, and utilize the Commerce Clause to augment you claims.

Select one of these topics for this assignment and create a hypothetical personal opinion article (op-ed) for your local newspaper. In this op-ed, you must take a position supporting or opposing the issue you select. Even though you will be choosing a side, you must discuss both sides of the argument and then provide a logical argument why your position is valid, credible, and should be supported. Your paper should be organized into the following sections:IntroductionDiscussion/claims supporting your positionDiscussion/claims against your position (counter-arguments)Summary argument supporting your positionThe paper must be three to four pages in length and formatted according to APA style. You must utilize at least three scholarly sources, one of which may be your course text. Cite your sources within the text of your paper and on the reference pageThe topic I picked was Equal Protection under law

DB 2 Respond to one question from Group I and one question from Group II, then respond to one more question from either group (your choice), for a total of three questions answered. Each response should be 300 words, for a total of 900. Textbook: Fisher, Mary Pat. Living Religions, 9th ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall), 2011. ISBN: 0-205-83585-6 Group 1 Explain the Buddhist conception of the “Middle Way.” How did Siddhartha come up with this idea? Do you agree with this mode of religious practice? Why or why not? Explain the concept of dukkha and its role in Buddhist teaching. Compare and contrast some of the basic ideas of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. What are some of the typical devotional practices of lay Buddhism? Why do some Buddhist practitioners reject or avoid such practices? List the steps on the Noble Eightfold Path and note briefly what each step involves. Do you think these steps can really lead to enlightenment or at least living a morally good life? Explain and defend your answer. Group 2 Explain how Daoism, Confucianism, and even Buddhism may be blended in Chinese religious practice. Use specific examples from the text to illustrate your claims. Compare and contrast the significance of relationships—of humans with other humans, and of humans with nature—in Daoist and Confucian thought. Which of the general characteristics of an indigenous religion described in Chapter 2 of Living Religions are evident in Shinto? What specific forms do they take? How is the Shinto belief in tsumi similar to, and different from, the understandings of karma presented in Hinduism and Jainism? What aspects of Zoroastrian belief and practice seem similar to Hinduism? Give specific examples. Do any Zoroastrian beliefs seem familiar to you in the context of your knowledge of Judaism and Christianity? If so, which ones?