Modern Connections to the Constitution

1. The Natural Rights Philosophy explains the importance of the individual's unalienable right to life, liberty, and property. An example of this philosophy can be found in the recent news article, titled, "Obama Faith Office Broadening Focus On Teen Pregnancy, Reducing Abortion Need, Other Issues." Many citizens today forget the most basic right to life when considering abortion. However, with the transition of the presidency to Obama, there has been more discussion concerning this vital right to life. The author of the article writes, "...President Obama plans to expand and refocus former President George W. Bush's faith-based initiatives to include programs aimed at reducing the need for abortions..." which means that the government is working to allow every embryo to have the chance to live. Clearly, President Obama is taking on the correct job of government by securing the natural rigt to life for these defenseless embryos.



Source-"Obama Faith Office Broadening Focus On Teen Pregnancy, Reducing Abortion Need, Other Issues." Medical News Today: Health News. 6 Feb. 2009. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/138115.php.



2- One event in the recent past that shows that Classical Republicanism is still around in the United States is Al Gore's push for a healthier environment. Through his plan to eliminate all carbon energy sources within ten years, Gore hopes, "to rerscue civilization from the threat posed by climate change." This shows his concern for the entire population, without worrying about selfish reasoning. He understands that this may cause some economic trouble in the short term, but realizes that the moral obligation to protect the environment for future generations is more important. This coincides with the philosophy of Classical Republicanism, which promotes civic virtue and morality.



Source- Kreutzer, David W., and Al Gore. "Al Gore's Challenge." New York Times: Upfront 12 Jan. 2009: pg. 30

3. President Barack Obama is a Federalists, as seen in several of his policies that empower the central government while taking away from the responsibilities of individual states. One example of his national governemental policies coming before the state governments' policies is his idea of energy and climate change. In a national movement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, President Obama wants to "give all American consumers and businesses the incentives to use their ingenuity to develop economically effective solutions to climate change." This will be done through the "Cap and Trade Program," which more or less will make everyone pay for the emissions that they produce. All in all, Obama's push for a national movement to prevent climate change is just an example of his use of Federalist policies.

Source- "BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN: NEW ENERGY FOR AMERICA." Www.barackobama.com. Obama-Biden. 7 Feb. 2008.