Reference no: EM133369437

Question 1. Path to Statehood: To become a state in the Union, Arizona was required to create a state constitution, obtain a majority vote in Congress, and have the president of the United States approve statehood. The Arizona Territory created a state constitution and obtained Congressional approval; however, President Taft vetoed statehood on the grounds that the provision in the AZ Constitution on recalling judges was too progressive. Do you agree or disagree that presidents should have the final say in determining if a state enters the Union? Do you agree or disagree with President Taft's reasoning that recalling a judge from office before their term ends was too progressive? Explain.

Question 2. A leftover from frontier days, Arizona has Justices of the Peace (JP) in every county that handle common, everyday issues in society such as traffic accidents, minor criminal offenses, and landlord-tenant disputes. To be elected as a JP, a person is required to be a minimum of 18 years of age but is not required to have a law degree or a high school diploma. Do you agree that these minimum requirements are sufficient to serve effectively as an elected JP or should the AZ Constitution be amended to require a higher level of education or legal training? Explain.

Question 3. Arizona's Constitution was heavily influenced by the Progressive Movement of the early 20th Century whereby more political power was given directly to the people rather than placed in the hands of our elected or appointed officials. Some of Arizona's main progressive constitutional provisions include the initiative and referendum, recall of elected officials (before their term ends), the election of commissioners for the Arizona Corporation Commission (regulates railroads and utilities), and the election of the state mine inspector. Please select three progressive provisions from the list above and explain how power is being provided directly to the voter in each case. Also, please identify the pros and cons of providing such direct political power to the people.

Question 4. Article XI of the Constitution states that the Legislature is responsible for providing and maintaining a uniform public school system. Do you consider Arizona's public school system to be "uniform"? Why or why not?