1. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray 1 Constitution, Amendments, and Declaration of Independence Discussion Topics

2. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray2 Article 1 Why are there age restrictions on congressmen? Why are there age restrictions on congressmen? How are senators chosen? How was this changed by Amendment 17? Discuss this topic in the context of democracy and representative republic governments. How are senators chosen? How was this changed by Amendment 17? Discuss this topic in the context of democracy and representative republic governments. What type of office/job is implied in Section 4? Full-time or part-time? A vocation? What type of office/job is implied in Section 4? Full-time or part-time? A vocation?

3. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray3 Article 1, cont. Does Section 6 say a congressmen can never be arrested? If not, what are the conditions under which he may be arrested? In practice, is this still true today? Does Section 6 say a congressmen can never be arrested? If not, what are the conditions under which he may be arrested? In practice, is this still true today? Discuss Section 8 and graduated taxes. Discuss Section 8 and graduated taxes.

4. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray4 Article 2 Discuss the Electoral College specified in Section 1. Discuss the Electoral College specified in Section 1.

5. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray5 Amendment 1 Discuss freedom of speech. Does it have limitations? Are there currently limitations which aren’t constitutional? Are there social restrictions to free speech? Discuss freedom of speech. Does it have limitations? Are there currently limitations which aren’t constitutional? Are there social restrictions to free speech? What is being protected by this amendment in regards to religion? Is it the government being protected or religions? What is being protected by this amendment in regards to religion? Is it the government being protected or religions? Where does one find the “wall of separation between church and state?” Where does one find the “wall of separation between church and state?”

6. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray6 Amendment 2 Does this amendment only serve to define a militia? Does this amendment only serve to define a militia? Does this amendment place limits on the type of arms a citizen may own? Does this amendment place limits on the type of arms a citizen may own? Why is this amendment #2? Why is the First Amendment placed in the #1 spot? What is the relationship of the two? Why is this amendment #2? Why is the First Amendment placed in the #1 spot? What is the relationship of the two?

7. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray7 Other Amendment Questions What does it mean to “plead the fifth?” What does it mean to “plead the fifth?” Discuss the scope of the government in light of Amendments 9 & 10. Discuss the scope of the government in light of Amendments 9 & 10. Does Amendment 13 indicate that slavery is a suitable punishment in our form of government? Discuss in light of Amendment 8. Does Amendment 13 indicate that slavery is a suitable punishment in our form of government? Discuss in light of Amendment 8. Amendment 16 deals with taxes. Why was it passed? What is its purpose? How does it relate to graduated (so called progressive) taxation? Amendment 16 deals with taxes. Why was it passed? What is its purpose? How does it relate to graduated (so called progressive) taxation?

8. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray8 Declaration of Independence How are all men equal? In what ways are the not equal. How are all men equal? In what ways are the not equal. Where does the government get its power? Where does the government get its power? Are the governed given a legitimate right to remove an undesired government and reform a new government? Discuss in regards to the Civil War. Are the governed given a legitimate right to remove an undesired government and reform a new government? Discuss in regards to the Civil War.