Full Faith and Credit--does it guarantee same sex civil unions?
The FF&C clause of the Constitution allows Americans to move freely throughout the country, taking important documents with them. Outside of fresh food checkpoints guarding against the potential destructive insect, the US state borders are a colander, allowing open access with your home state's driver's license as an accepted ID. Public records are accepted--that marriage in Las Vegas is valid in PA, as well as a divorce decree in Wes Virginia still means you are divorced.
So if a couple has a same sex civil union in New Hampshire, are they still married in PA? The crafty states, 40 of them, have already passed lawsestricting this recogntion; but, do these laws violate FF&C? On the surface, the answer seems to be "yes", since a marriage in another state is legally recognized, a civil union would also be given the same protection.
Yet, the Supreme Court may let social conservativism trump their normal judicial restraint outcome to let the states legislate their problems.
Inevitably, this Full Faith & Credit dispute over civil unions will be resolved soon, which in Supreme Court terms means within the decade!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
AP Andrew Jackson
What makes Andrew Jackson an influential leader?
First, he's the real reason for the fractured political system of today. Certainly, the Federalist/Antifederalist debate brought the party system to the forefront; but, the elections of 1824 & 1828 cemented the 2 party system after the Era of Good Feelings and one party rule by the Jeffersonians.
Second, he's the first western, common President. Not part of the Virginia/Massachusetts ruling elite, Jackson was a true rugged western hero. He sets the standard for the 19th century Presidency, where the quickest ticket to the White House was military success.
Third, Jackson was interested in advancing the common agenda as he interpreted the "will of the people." His actions could be questionable, such as his Native -American policies that were the final death knell of Indians East of the Mississippi. Or, his dismantling the Hamiltonian banking system, which opened the US up to more economic swings. Jackson was a populist, playing to universal suffrage for the 1st time for men. The people loved Jackson and saw him as their dueling, veto welding champion.
First, he's the real reason for the fractured political system of today. Certainly, the Federalist/Antifederalist debate brought the party system to the forefront; but, the elections of 1824 & 1828 cemented the 2 party system after the Era of Good Feelings and one party rule by the Jeffersonians.
Second, he's the first western, common President. Not part of the Virginia/Massachusetts ruling elite, Jackson was a true rugged western hero. He sets the standard for the 19th century Presidency, where the quickest ticket to the White House was military success.
Third, Jackson was interested in advancing the common agenda as he interpreted the "will of the people." His actions could be questionable, such as his Native -American policies that were the final death knell of Indians East of the Mississippi. Or, his dismantling the Hamiltonian banking system, which opened the US up to more economic swings. Jackson was a populist, playing to universal suffrage for the 1st time for men. The people loved Jackson and saw him as their dueling, veto welding champion.
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