Federalism Round-Up

In your blog:  Pick two areas from each of the three sections in Chapter 4.  Write a paragraph on those areas and what you have learned in regards to each area.  You should have six total paragraphs.

Chapter 4 Section 1:
  The States:  Some powers are reserved for the states while others are denied to them.  Most of what government does in our country now is done by the states, not the National government.  Powers the state holds  are to protect and promote public health, morals, safety, and general welfare.  Powers that are denied to the states include: they cannot enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation, print or coin money, or deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process.
   The Federal System and Local Governments:  The US government is discussed in three levels: national, state, and local.  But there are only two basic levels national and state.  All of the local governments are parts of the state governments.  When local powers exercise their powers, they are actually exercising state power.
Chapter 4 Section 2:
   Invasion and Internal Disorder:  If one of the 50 states were to be attacked, it would be an attack on the United States.  In the 1780s the states had to pledge that an attack on any single state would be met as an attack on all states.  Each state will keep the peace within its own borders.  Federal forces have been used to restore order within a state.
   Admitting New States:  Only congress has the power to admit new states.  There is one restriction, a new state cannot be created by  taking territory from one or more of the existing states without consent of the legislature of the states involved.  The process for admitting a new state is fairly simple.  Statehood asks congress for admission, they pass an enabling act, convention prepares constitution.  When the constitution is approved it is submitted to the congress.  Congress passes an act of admission, and if the president signs the act the new state enters the union.
Chapter 4 Section 3:
Interstate Compacts:  States cannot enter into treaties, alliances, or confederations.  But with the consent of congress they may enter interstate compact-agreements among themselvs and with foreign states.  There are now 200 compacts in force.  All 50 states joined two of the compacts: the compact for the supervisioin of parolees and probationers and the compact on juveniles.  These enable states to share important law-enforcement data.  Other compacts include: conserving reasouces like water, oil, wildlife, prevent forest fires, and harbor pollution, and many more.
Extradition:  This is the legal process by which a fugitive from justice in one state is reaturned to that state.  It is designed to prevent a person from escaping justice by fleeing the state.  Governers regularly approve the extradition request they recieve from other states.