One of the strengths of the U.S. court system is its ability to defend individual rights without being biased oppose to individuals elected by the people.

The court system is better at protecting individual rights because judges are not elected and do not have to worry about backlash from the public. Judges aren’t elected by the public so they don’t have to worry about winning votes or people unpopular to the public which is extremely beneficial because it allows for the law to served based on fairness and overall facts without biased decisions. In contrast, elected officials like members of Congress or the President often focus on what will help them stay in office. For instance Donald Trumps act to get rapper Sheff G out of jail as an attempt to gain more votes and gain popularity within marginalized communities for people to believe he’s “for the people.” However, that was all just an act because when these “leaders” are elected into roles promises and individuals or group rights are neglected. For example, when elected into office he did an entire 360 targeting programs and resources that are put in place to help these communities he worked so hard to get in good faith with. For example, Gideon v. Wainwright which is where your favorite law and order line come in “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.” The Court decided that this was a basic part of a fair trial under the Constitution. However elected officials would’ve never agreed to this being passed as their role is in place to discourage less fortunate people not to protect them.

Some people say the Supreme Court is anti-democratic because its justices aren’t chosen by the public or a vote and their power lasts a lifetime. With the reason being judges are independent for the benefit of the justice system. Being a judge comes with the lack of ability to have any biases and to give a verdict based on the evidence and facts of the case with the support of the jury.

In Federalist #10, James Madison said that too much power in the hands of the majority can be dangerous. which is absolutely true and this shows with the way the current elected president is going about things and all the havoc he has caused within the last 4 months alone. This altogether is why the courts have one job and that’s the law without anything else attached.

In a federal system like the US is suppose to be power is divided between national and state governments. Citizens vote for which representatives are elected at different levels like presidents and so forth. However, in a confederation system states hold most power and citizens interact with state governments without the weakness and influence. And within unitary system , the central government have close to all power but citizens are able to interact in a small portion of elections and polices.

Divided power ensures that responsibilities and authority are disturbed across differently levels of government for instance judicial and legislative branches. The US Federal handles governments is the national defense and foreign affairs while the manages education like the DOE which helps with public schooling, college and more as well as transportation. While the local government control things like policing and sanitation like maintaining clean streets or clean ups after weathering.

During Covid the federal government was the shoulder for the people especially in the NYS. The federal government helped to influence the way NYS listened to the information provided to them. To actually oblige to rules and regulations like social distancing and more. The federal government also helped with Federal relief packages including medical help like hospital coverage, unemployment for those who were not able to work, public health guidelines like cdc helping to make the country aware of what’s occurring and how to stay safe, emergency mandates and orders, and lastly deploying temporary resources like temporary hospitals and more.

This demonstrates further that the federal government allows different coordinations between different levels of government. Although the federal government give a lot of support and help citizens a lot it doesn’t overweigh the states and still allow state autonomy decision making.

The RSA a better way of saying abuse of power? The RSA utilizes threats and force help things remain in order , to maintain power/control, and to enforce the law. As an example, 2020 when BLM protests broke out and police used major force to “settle” people down and regain control. This force was done in ways like pepper spray, flash bangs, arrests, and more.
Althusser uses the word “repressive” because RSA institutions gain power and maintain order by using direct physical force and threats to maintain order. They work to suppress opinions and thoughts to obedience and control over the people.

Isa also know as ideological state apparatus which uses logical ideas and culture to help shape beliefs , how things are dealt with, and better yet ways to maintain control without needing to use extensive force. As an example, parents passing down knowledge to their children teaching their children to do the right thing, follow the rules and working hard. The school system, social media platforms like TikTok that have many different political stances and information, the news, religious beliefs, and more help persuade people.

In my opinion they are both two different stances and I believe that sometimes the RSA should be used when dangerous criminals are hurting people but when it’s people standing for what they believe in what’s the point of it? Although they are different they align with one another being the RSA enforces obedience and the ISA just encourages people to willingly accept the government with choice. Which should be a normal thing , people shouldn’t be forced to do anything.

The image included connects to orange man we have in office who has beyond disrespected ones privacy, invaded, ones privacy and simply just went out of his way to hurt and disturb others by force and with threats for his own personal gain

I know many people say “perspective” often but ideology is very similar to exactly that. A persons systems of ideas, beliefs, and values that shape how a person see the world & many of ones perspectives. It creates a space for an individual to understand different things and understand the aspect of if this is considered right or wrong. For instance , Capitalism and Socialism which has two different perspectives of the right thing on the same thing which would be the economy. Capitalism believes in private business and overall competition while socialism believes in the government being the middleman with the idea that it makes things fair.

◦   Ideology shapes the way we think, our perspective and further more than just that. Whether you believe in something because you overheard your favorite celebrity say it or you heard it at home from family, at school, work, or friends or wherever it influence the way you see society and how things work. For example , videos on TikTok may promote recent action or the president but our OWN morals and perspectives are against the things that some people are saying is ok. 

◦   Liberals Vs. Conservatives , liberals support larger governments that solves economic  and social problems. Liberals advocate for higher taxes, social programs and polices while conservatives believe in smaller governments, lower taxes and people taking on personal responsibilities. For instance Gun control liberals believe in stricter gun policies being enforced background checks and proof an individual can be with a firearm and bans on certain things like “switches” and “AR’s” while conservatives support defend one’s right to possess a firearm with limited restrictions. They argue that they are protection the individual freedom and right to defend themselves. 

◦   Althusser argued that ideology isn’t that much of a belief system but something that challenges the way reality is seen. This is enforced through the school system, social media influences, and different religions. As an example , school is a place where discipline is installed within you. You walk in 2 straight lines , you raise your hand to speak and more but not only is school a place you learn respect and discipline but it is also a place your able to capture your identity and learn about yourself but you learn about the world and gain your own personal stance of society and more.