Government Proceedings

Question 1

In October of 1801, The Danbury Baptist Association in the State of Connecticut wrote the following letter to President Thomas Jefferson*:

Step I: Summary

Summarize the main points of the Danbury Baptist’s and Thomas Jefferson’s arguments. This can be a brief narrative or a bulleted list.

Step II: Analysis

Choose one amendment from the Constitution that addresses a main idea(s) in the communications between the Danbury Baptists and Thomas Jefferson. Include this amendment in your assignment and, in a suggested 500 words minimum (not including your quote from the Constitution), discuss the following:

1. Do you agree with President Jefferson? Why or why not?

2. If something is considered a civil liberty, is it the government’s responsibility to actively include this liberty in government proceedings or is it the responsibility of the government simply to ensure that this liberty is not infringed upon? Do you believe this is different for civil rights?

Question 2

Your job is to propose one change, explain how it would work, explain why it would improve representative democracy, and explain any drawbacks or adverse consequences it may create.