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Post: 34533275_1 created on Wed Nov 07, 2007 5:58 pmPosted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 5:58 pm
Post: 34533275_2 created on Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:04 pmPosted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:04 pm
Leon James
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History For the History of the United States from its beginings to the state in 2006, it is located [here]. 2007-2010 "A Time of Renewal and Trials." In 2007, President Bush made his State of the Union Address, with a Democratic led Congress, where he made valiant attempts to merge the White House, and Congressional Relations. The Congress, shocked, gave him due time, as with the President's strategy he greatly improved the price of healthcare, within the reach of most Americans. Education continued to greatly improve with the No Child Left Behind Act, as did the continuing Patriot Act, deter any terrorist attacks for the next two years. The United States grew economically, along with its international reations, as Canada and the Untied States began to test the usage of Hay-based Ethanol, to help replace current fuels. Americans, instead of waiting ten years to cut on fuel usage, met the 20% mark within six months of the passing of the 'Fuel Conservation Act'. With freeing many persons of the nation, and relieving the burden upon corporations, the United States began to increase funding to the Department of Defense, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Justice, the Deparment of Homeland Security. The National Debt also began to balance out with the end of the year. In 2008, with the President's effective straegy, the Democratic base, lost all of its arguements, as the President enacted even cheaper healthcare, the restoration of Social Security, and the enhancement of fuels with more Ethanol avalable facilities, vehicles, and a large tax-cut on said vehicles, and an increase on those whom ran on fossil fuels. More Americas began to continue to switch over to the new fuels. The Military made dramatic steps in its advance with the continuation of the B-2 Spirit Project, as more bombers were produced, and those in service were now being fitted with a Top Secret Coating of state of the art ceramics enabling better stealth capablities. The F-22 Project also gained a large force of momentum, as well as the F-35 Projects, both now producing large amounts of fighters, ahead of schedule, as all Nimitz-Class Carriers, by the end of 2008, had a full complement of F-35C fighters, and the aged Harriers, Hornets, and F-16s were replaced by the F-35. Along with that, many more technology upgrades, including a new fighter-interceptor prototype, and other technology advances including, Metal Storm and THELs. With the new endevors, the GOP had the greater foothold, along that of a secured Iraq, as the United States in August 2008, withdrew its final non-base operational military personel from Iraq. Those remaining, now housed the sole US Military Facility of Iraq, the US Air Force Base, "Al Hamed", South of the Capital of Iraq. The GOP took a great lead, as the Senate and House were both retaken by the Republicans, as the President was also held by the GOP, with former Govenor of Missouri, Jeffery M. James-Potts, and a fomer House of Representives Majority Whip, of the Democratic Party, Allison E. Stover. In 2009, as outlined by his State of the Union Address, as desire for free health insurance and college education was a big target on the President's goals, as well as the continuing strength of the United States Military. Global Warming was also combated, along with the new increase of Ethanol Fuels, and their continued production. In his early times, he witnessed a great change in a former allied nations goverment, as a mass Coup' made possible by the Military, took the island of Usea, and transformed it into the thing that the United States feared the most. A small island, with great hopes, deemed it upon themselves to liberate the island and return it to democracy. They failed, as similar to the Bay of Pigs. The attackers soon fled to America, with pursuing ISAF forces in tow. The United States refused to harbor the forces, as they were forced to return to their nation, as the ISAF followed, along with allies, to eliminate the small nation. It was soon discovered that those 'creatures' were the offspring of some-sort of nuclear fallout, from a small Russian Reactor of the shores of Canada. With its cleanup with the nation of Canada and the United States, Canada reclaimed its rightful territory, and all was at peace. With time, and hopes of the America people, Usea returned to a nation with civil liberties and rights for its people. With the end of the year achived the United States was slowly losing its integrity, as the world began to form once again, appearing similar to the times of Imperialism. In 2010, with the beginings of the year, the United States now had National Healthcare, and Full Goverment Backed Medical Studies. The United States was also the first to insitute, Free Post-Secondary Education, as well as the production of various ethanol fuels for use and export. With a calm of peace taken, as the nations took a time of rest, terrorism broke out in the Pacific, as the Gaian Nation continued to murder US citizens in their country, and allowed it to continue. The President finally took action, as he deployed a large Naval Task Force to the region, in a attempt to calm hostilties. As well as that, the territory of Puerto Rico, quietly secceded from control of the United States, without incident, and confrontation. The continuation of the year saw the formation of the country of Atlantic-Pacific Defense Organization (ATPAC), with Belka, Japan, Halcyon, Japan, and the United States, as joint military and economic cooperation was boltestered between the nations. The year itself saw little conflict, until the end of the year. On December 19th, the Nation of Cassius attacked, and attempted to invade the small American territory, American Samoa. The United States, along with her allies, in the form of ATPAC offically delcared war, and counter-attacked against the invasion, by deploying within the Oceanic Islands and against the Island of Cassius itself. |
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Post: 34533275_3 created on Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:08 pmPosted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:08 pm
Leon James
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Politics  The United States is a constitutional republic, meaning that its government is composed of and operates through a set of limited powers imposed by its design and enumerated in the United States Constitution. Specifically, the nation operates as a presidential system also known as a congressional system. There are three levels of government: federal, state, and local. Each level enjoys certain exclusive powers and obligations, and the precise division of these powers has been a matter of considerable ongoing debate. Officials of each of these levels are either elected by eligible voters via secret ballot or appointed by other elected officials. Almost all electoral offices are decided in "first-past-the-post" elections, where a specific candidate who earns at least a plurality of the vote is elected to office, rather than a party being elected to a seat to which it may then appoint an official. The relationship between the state and national governments is rather complex, because of the country's federal system. Under United States law, states are considered sovereign entities, meaning that the power of the states is considered to come directly from the people within the states rather than from the federal government. However, the American Civil War and Texas v. White established that states do not have the right to secede, and under the Constitution of the United States, they are not allowed to conduct foreign policy. Federal law overrides state law in the areas that the federal government is empowered to act, but the powers of the federal government are subject to limits outlined in the Constitution of the United States. All powers not granted to the federal government in the Constitution are duly appropriated to the states and the people, with the people explicitly retaining unenumerated Constitutional rights and the Federal government retaining the exclusive right to determine any unstated rights when these enter into conflict within the states. The federal government of the United States is comprised of a Legislative Branch (led by Congress), an Executive Branch (led by the President), and a Judicial Branch (led by the Supreme Court). These three branches were designed to apply checks and balances on each other. The Constitution limits the powers of the federal government to defense, foreign affairs, the issuing and management of currency, the management of trade and relations between the states, as well as the protection of human rights. All other government powers theoretically repose in the individual states. However, in addition to these explicitly stated powers, the federal government has gradually extended its power into such areas as welfare and education, on the basis of the "Necessary and Proper" and "Commerce" clauses of the Constitution. The constitutionality of this extension of powers has been ruled on by the Supreme Court on numerous occasions, citing the above clauses. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign relations  The United States of America has vast economic, political and military influence on a global scale, which makes its foreign policy a subject of great interest and discussion around the world. The country has one of the largest diplomatic presences of any nation. Almost every nation has both a U.S. embassy and an embassy of its own in Washington, D.C. The ones considered America's closest allies are Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Japan. Only a few do not have formal diplomatic relations with the United States, which include Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Somalia, and Sudan. During the American Revolution, the United States established relations with several European powers, convincing France, Spain, and the Netherlands to intervene in the war against Britain, a mutual enemy. In the period following, the U.S. oscillated between pro-French and pro-British policies. In general, the U.S. remained aloof from European disputes, focusing on territorial expansion in North America. The Monroe Doctrine was later established to weaken European influence in Latin America and help the U.S. become the dominant influence in the region. However, its expansionist policies led to war with Mexico, and later with Spain. During the American Civil War, the United States accused Britain and France of supporting the Confederate States and trying to control Mexico, but after that, the U.S. was virtually unchallenged in North America. As U.S. power grew, it began to look at interests farther abroad, particularly in the pursuit of trade. It consequently occupied territories in the Pacific, such as Hawaii and the Philippines, demanded the opening of Japan to trade, and competed with other powers for influence in China. After World War II, the country was a major player in the establishment of the United Nations and became one of five permanent members of the Security Council. During the Cold War, the U.S. foreign policy sought to limit the influence of the Soviet Union around the world. In the effort to contain the Soviets, the U.S. founded NATO, which compells the country to defend against any foreign invasion of any NATO state in North America and Europe. In an example of realpolitik, the U.S. also established diplomatic relations with Communist countries that were antagonistic to the Soviet Union, like the People's Republic of China during the Sino-Soviet split. In recent times, the United States has increased its border securities against illegal immigration and the shipment of illegal narcotics, particularly from Mexico and the Caribbean. The country has also sought to fight terrorism and control the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, but its main goal remains to protect American interest and the safety of its citizens at home and abroad. There are several territorial disputes, such as the Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and areas around Machias Seal Island and North Rock with Canada, and Wake Island, which is claimed by Marshall Islands. There is also a maritime boundary dispute with the Bahamas. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Military  The military of the United States consists of four branches: the Army, the Navy (including the Marine Corps), and the Air Force, which are all administered by the Department of Defense. The Coast Guard falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime, but is placed under the Department of the Navy in times of war. The combined United States armed forces comprise of over a million personnel on active duty, along with several hundred thousand each in the Reserves and the National Guard. Service in the military is voluntary, though conscription may occur in times of war when more troops are needed at the front. The U.S. armed forces are the most powerful in the world, with its power projection capabilities unrivalled by any other nation or collaboration of nations. In addition, the U.S. defense expenditure is estimated to be greater than the next twelve largest national military budgets combined. The U.S. currently occupies 702 military bases worldwide in every continent besides Antarctica. The United States' focus on military expenditures has ranged broadly, due to regularly changing ideologies inherent in its political system. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Human Rights  The Constitution of the United States guarantees freedom of speech, religion, the press, the right to a fair trial, universal suffrage, and property rights. Such affirmations of civil rights are the product of nearly four centuries of struggle and social progress aiming for a fair and just society, with its beginnings in 1634 when the first colonies in Maryland were founded on the basis of religious tolerance. However, the internal struggle to define the nature of human rights in the context of the U.S. Constitution began at the very inception of that document and continues to this day, with people of good conscience on both sides of many controversial issues. The U.S. has often been criticized for seemingly contradictory stances, on the one hand supporting the human rights laid out in its Constitution and Declaration of Independence, while not always living up to these ideals in practice. For example, the compromise to maintain slavery was made at the drafting of the Constitution to secure the ratification of Southern states whose economy was thought to depend on this practice, though this may be perceived as a violation of the principle laid out in the Declaration of Independence, that "all men are created equal". Several states maintained slavery until 1865, and various forms of ethnic and other discrimination were not prohibited until the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Some of the effects of this history are still apparent in the social structure. However, a bloody civil war and a long struggle for civil rights were prime examples of the internal concern with the definition of human rights in the U.S. At times, the United States has been criticized for interventionist policies in places like Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, as well as for its support of repressive governments and warlords, particularly during the Cold War, when many of these decisions were based upon a calculation of the greater good as a counterweight to the influence of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was seen by many in the U.S. as the world's greatest threat; to be opposed with methods that might not otherwise be considered ethical. Following the September 11, 2001, attacks and the ensuing War on Terror, the continuation of this debate has surrounded the USA PATRIOT Act and other measures, which opponents criticize as unnecessary and see them as a potential danger to traditional civil rights, citing the policy of extraordinary rendition as proof. However, proponents say they are necessary to preserve the country's security. |
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Post: 34533275_4 created on Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:43 pmPosted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:43 pm
Leon James
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Political Divisions  At the Declaration of Independence, the United States consisted of 13 states. In the following years, this number has grown steadily due to expansion to the west, conquest and purchase of lands by the American government, and division of existing states to the current number of 50 U.S. states: Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming The contiguous part of the U.S. (i.e. without Hawaii and Alaska) is called the continental United States. The United States also holds several other territories, districts, and possessions, notably the federal district of the District of Columbia, which contains the nation's capital city of Washington, and several overseas insular areas, the most significant of which are American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands. The Palmyra Atoll is the United States's only incorporated territory, however, it is currently unorganized and uninhabited. In addition, the United States Navy has controlled a small military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba since 1898. The United States government possesses a lease to this land from Cuba which only mutual agreement or United States abandonment of the area can terminate. |
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Post: 34533275_5 created on Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:57 amPosted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:57 am
Leon James
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Geography  The United States is the world's third largest country by land area, but this is disputed as some sources list the People's Republic of China as larger than the U.S. The disputed ranking stems from ongoing debate over the political status of Taiwan, without which China is smaller than the United States.  The contiguous U.S. is bounded by the North Atlantic Ocean to the east and the North Pacific Ocean to the west, between Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. Alaska is bounded by the Pacific to the south and the Arctic Ocean to the north, with Canada to the east. The island state of Hawaii is situated in the Pacific, southwest of the North American mainland. The landscape of the United States is extremely varied. In the east, rolling hills and temperate forests prevail, transitioning to prairies, boreal forests, and the relatively young Rocky Mountains in the west, with savanna and desert, including the Grand Canyon, among the more arid landscapes in the southwest. The northwest has the highest concentration of active volcanoes in the U.S. In the south, especially in Florida, subtropical forests and marshlands can be found. In Alaska, prominent mountain ranges rise up sharply from broad, flat tundra plains; numerous volcanoes can be found throughout the Alexander and Aleutian Islands south and west of the Alaskan mainland. Hawaii, a chain of tropical, volcanic islands, is a popular tourist attraction. Other major hydrographic features include the five Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River and seaway in the northeast bordering with Canada. In addition, the Mississippi-Missouri River (the world's fourth longest river system) snakes through the central U.S. The United States is frequently affected by a large variety of natural disasters. A common threat is tornadoes, especially in the South, the Great Plains, and other parts of the Midwest. Other problems include tropical cyclones along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts, floods, and earthquakes, particularly in southern Alaska and around California. Droughts too are prevenlant, with the worst being the infamous Dust Bowl of the 1930s. More recently, the western U.S. experienced widespread drought from 1999?2004, and signs of a major, long-term drought across the Great Plains have developed. Economy  Current Value of the U.S. Dollar: 1.4536 to current dollar in Real Life. .9871 to Euro. The economic history of the United States has its roots in the quest of European settlers for economic gain in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. The American colonies progressed from marginally successful colonial economies to a small, independent farming economy. Over the course of those years, the United States grew from thirteen British colonies with distinct economies and institutions to one of the most integrated, largest, and industrialized economies in the world, making up over a fifth of the world economy. The economic system of the United States can be described as a capitalistic, free market-oriented mixed economy, in which corporations and other private firms make the vast majority of microeconomic decisions and governments prefer to take a minimal role in the domestic economy. Because of this, the U.S. has a small social safety net, and business firms in the U.S. face considerably less regulation than firms in many other nations. The fiscal policy of the nation since the New Deal has followed the general ideals of Keynesian economics, which replaced Classical economics following the Great Depression. Neoliberal ideals have become more prominent since the presidency of Ronald Reagan, due to the growing influence of globalization. Since the early 1980s, the United States has transformed from being the world's largest creditor to having a substantial current account deficit and a national debt which has reached record high levels relative to national GDP since World War II. In the recent years, under President Bush, the deficit has begun to lower. Economic activity varies greatly across the country. For example, New York City is the center for financial, publishing, broadcasting, and advertising industries, while Los Angeles is the most important center for film and television production. The Midwest is known for its reliance on manufacturing and heavy industry, with Detroit serving as the center of the American automotive industry. The Southeast is a major hub for medical research, tourism, and the textiles industry. The largest sector in the United States economy is service, which employs roughly three quarters of the work force. The economy is fueled by an abundance of natural resources, such as coal, petroleum, and precious metals. In agriculture, the country is a top producer of corn, soy beans, rice, and wheat, with the Great Plains labeled as the "breadbasket of the world" for their tremendous agricultural output. The U.S. has a large tourist industry, ranking third in the world, and is also a leading export in goods such as automobiles, airplanes, steel, and electronics. The United States, with the mass production of, 'Agri-Gas' which is 85% 'oil-free' the United States dependency on foreign oil has dramatically decreased, with only the Military and Aviation still needing large amounts. The largest trading partner of the United States is Canada (19%), followed by the People's Republic of China, Mexico, and Japan. Science and technology  The United States is one of the most influential countries in scientific and technological research and the production of innovative technological products. Some of the most important industrial contributions include the invention of the cotton gin, the development of interchangeable parts, and the assembly line, which made mass production possible. Other important inventions include the airplane, the lightbulb, and the telephone. The U.S. was the first to develop the atomic bomb in World War II, ushering in the atomic age, and was relatively undamaged by the war, which helped to revive scientific and technological progress in a short time. During the beginnings of the Cold War, the U.S. began emulating USSR successes in space science and technology, leading to a space race between the two nations. Two-way demonstrations of technological might were a prominent feature in the race, which led to rapid advances in rocketry, weaponry, material science, computers, and many other areas, culminating the first visit of a man to the moon, when Neil Armstrong stepped off of Apollo 11 in July 1969. In the sciences, Americans have had a large share of Nobel Prizes, especially in physiology or medicine, since World War II. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), focal point for biomedical research in the United States, has contributed to the completion of the Human Genome Project, an important step in the cure of many debilitating diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. Medical facilities in the U.S. are considered to be the most advanced in the world. The main governmental institution for aviation and space research is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Many corporations also play an important role, such as Boeing or Lockheed Martin. Transportation The automobile industry took off very early in the United States in comparison with other countries, and because of this, much of the transportation development in the country has been centered around the construction of a network of high-capacity highways. From data taken in 2004, there are about 6,407,637 kilometers (3,981,521 mi) of roadways in the U.S., the most in the world. Despite the popularity of cars, mass-transit systems are also available in large cities, such as New York, which operates one of the buisiest subway systems in the world. However, in comparison to Japan and Europe, the United States has an underdeveloped rail network since there exists no similar high-speed rail links connecting major cities, such as the TGV in France and ICE network in Germany. Air travel is the preferred means of travel for long distances. There are also several major seaports in the United States, with the three busiest being the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, and the Port of New York and New Jersey. |
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Post: 34533275_6 created on Sat Nov 10, 2007 12:03 pmPosted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 12:03 pm
Leon James
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Demographics  As of July 2009, there are an estimated 300,001,987 people in United States. About 20.4% (male 31,095,847/female 29,715,872) are younger than 14 years old, 67.2% (male 100,022,845/female 100,413,484) are between 15 and 64 years old, and 12.5% (male 15,542,288/female 21,653,879) are over 65 years old. The population growth rate for 2006 is 0.59%. According to the 2000 census, the country has 31 ethnic groups with at least one million members each, and numerous others represented in smaller amounts. Taken from data in 2003, the largest ethnic group is white, making up 81.7% of the population. Others include black (12.9%), Asian (4.2%), Amerindian and Alaska native (1%), and native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander (0.2%). Population migration and growth The majority of Americans descend from European immigrants who either arrived after the establishment of the first English colonies or the Reconstruction period in 1863-1877. This majority is expected to become a plurality by 2050. The largest ethnic group of European ancestry is German at 15.2 percent, followed by Irish (10.8%), English (8.7%), Italian (5.6%) and Scandinavian (3.7%). Many immigrants also hail from Slavic countries, such as Poland and Russia, as well as from French Canada. African Americans, or Blacks, including the 0.6 percent of individuals that identify as one or more races, got their start with the initial wave of people from Africa, who arrived as slaves particularly throughout the colonial period in 1690-1808. In the early years, most of the African American population is concentrated in the South, but today, they are spread throughout the country, with many located in the cores of major urban centers of the North. Indigenous peoples in the United States, such as Native Americans and Inuit, make up only a very small percentage of the total population, with about 35% of them living on reservations. Current major demographic trends include the mass immigration of Hispanics from Latin America into the Southwest, which is home to about 60 percent of the 35 million Hispanics in the country. Immigrants from Mexico, who make up about 66 percent of the Hispanic-American community, are second only to the German-American population in the single-race category. The Hispanic population, which is growing at an annual rate of about 58 percent since the 1990s, is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades. Most Asian Americans, including Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, are concentrated on the West Coast and Hawaii, with a growing concentration in the New York City metropolitan area, as well as the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. The largest groups are from the Philippines, China, India, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. The Asian American population is increasing at an annual rate of about 52 percent since the 1990s. Education  The United States is one of the most educated countries in the world, with a literacy rate of 99% (male and female)- defined as anyone age 15 and over who can read and write. Education in the country is a state or local, not federal, responsibility, which make the laws and standards vary considerably. However, the Department of Education of the federal government exerts some influence through its ability to control funding. In most states, students are generally obliged to attend mandatory schooling in public schools starting with kindergarten, and ending with the 12th grade, which is normally completed at age 18, but many states may allow students to drop out at the age of 16. Besides public schools, parents may also choose to educate their own children at home or to send their children to parochial or private schools. After high school, students may choose to attend universities, either public or private. Public universities receive funding from the federal and state governments, as well as other sources, but students still have to pay tuition. The amount paid varies depending on the university or the state of residence, and students have to pay more if they want to attend a public university outside their state. Tuition at private universities tends to be much higher than at public universities, and it is not uncommon for students to join the workforce or the military after graduation. Some of the world's best universities can be found in the United States. Schools such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Stanford University are world-renowned for their academics. Public universities are also famous, such as the Universities of Michigan, Virginia, North Carolina, and Berkeley. There are also many local community colleges with open admission policies across the country. Public health The United States has a health-care system which is ranked 37th by the World Health Organization. The United States has made many important medical achievements. For example, research done at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has contributed to a sharp decrease in mortality from heart disease, the number-one killer in the United States, which dropped 41 percent between 1971 and 1991. The death rate for strokes decreased by 59 percent during the same period. Between 1991 and 1995, the death rate for cancer fell by nearly three percent, the first sustained decline since national record-keeping began in the 1930s. And today more than 70 percent of children who get cancer are cured. In 1964, when the US surgeon general first warned Americans about the dangers of smoking, the percentage who smoke has declined from almost 50 percent to approximately 25 percent. Smoking is no longer permitted in most public buildings or on trains, buses, and airplanes. Also, most American restaurants are divided into areas where smoking is permitted and those where it is not. Studies have also linked a significant drop in the rate of lung cancer to a nationwide decline in cigarette smoking. Like most countries, the federal government also encourages Americans to exercise regularly and to eat healthily, including large quantities of fruits and vegetables, which contributed to a per capita increase in fruit consumption of about 20 percent since 1970. Now, more than 40 percent of Americans exercise or play a sport as part of their regular routine. However, the United States still has many public health problems, which includes obesity, and despite a sharp decrease in smoking, there are still millions of cigarette smokers. HIV-AIDS is also a problem, which has affected about 950,000 people as of 2003. And while most of the population has access to advanced treatments, a notably high amount of people in the U.S. suffer from lack of proper healthcare. Unlike most Western governments, the U.S. government does not guarantee publicly-funded medicine to its citizens. Several proposals have been made but fail to gain support among lawmakers, despite widespread majority support. However, government spending on health care is the highest of any country in the world. Major programs include Medicare and Medicaid. Private charities also play a huge role in providing health care. Since the 1980s, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) coverage has increased as a means of controlling costs, however, critics charge that their decisions are made as a way to save money. Health insurance in the United States is traditionally a benefit of employment, which is mandated by law in many cases. Also by law, emergency care facilities are required to provide service regardless of the patient's ability to pay. However, medical bills are one of the most common reasons for bankruptcy in the United States. The United States has dozens of major cities, which play an important role in U.S. culture, heritage, and economy. In 2004, 251 incorporated places had populations of at least 100,000, including 11 of the world's 55 global cities, such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. In the table below are the ten most populous cities, according to U.S. Census Bureau 2004 estimates. The ranking is different for metropolitan areas, although the top three are the same. City/Rank/Population Persons New York City, New York/ 1 /8,104,079 Los Angeles, California/ 2 /3,845,541 Chicago, Illinois/ 3 /2,862,244 Houston, Texas/ 4 /2,012,626 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania/ 5 /1,470,151 Phoenix, Arizona/ 6 /1,418,041 San Diego, California/ 7 /1,263,756 San Antonio, Texas/ 8 /1,236,249 Dallas, Texas/ 9 /1,210,393 San Jose, California/ 10 /904,522 |
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Post: 34533275_7 created on Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:57 amPosted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:57 am
Leon James
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Culture  Due to America's immigrant past, the American culture is a melting pot of different cultures around the world. This is apparent in areas such as American cuisine, where Native American ingredients like turkey, potatoes, corn, and squash have become integral parts of American culture. Such popular icons as apple pies, pizza, and hamburgers are all either identical to, or derived from, European dishes. Burritos and tacos similarly have their origins in Mexico. However, many of the food items now enjoyed worldwide either originated in the United States or were substantially altered by American chefs. Additionally, since a lot of what is considered American Cuisine is rustic rather than elaborate, much of American food culture isn't immediately recognised as being "cuisine", such as clam chowder, baked beans, and barbecue. The music in the United States also traces to the country's multicultural population through a diverse array of styles. Rock and roll, hip hop, country, blues, and jazz are among the country's most internationally renowned genres. Since the beginning of the 20th century, popular recorded music from the United States has become increasingly known across the world, to the point where some forms of American popular music are listened to almost everywhere. However, not all American culture is derived from some other form found elsewhere in the world. For example, the birth of cinema, as well as its radical development, can largely be traced back to the United States. In the early 20th century, the first recorded instance of photographs capturing and reproducing motion was Eadweard Muybridge's series of photographs of a running horse, which he captured in Palo Alto, California, using a set of still cameras placed in a row. Since then, the American film industry has had a profound effect on cinema across the world. Others areas of developement include the comic book and Disney's animated cartoons, which saw widespread popularity and influence, especially in the creation of Japanese anime and manga, and Chinese animation and manhua. Language The United States is home to approximately 336 languages. English is the offical language, widely spoken by about 82 percent of the population. Other widely spoken languages include Spanish (10.7%), other Indo-European (3.8%), Asian and Pacific island (2.7%), and other (0.7%). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Religion  The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution explicitly forbids the establishment of religion by the government or restrictions on the freedom of religious expression, and the Supreme Court has held up what is called the rule of separation of church and state. However, because the population is overwhelmingly Christian, many elected representatives may be elected on the basis of religious affiliation, and may make decisions in government that are affected by their faith. Other examples of the prevalence of religion in the U.S. are local laws forbidding the selling of alcoholic beverages on Sundays, and the national celebration of popular Christian holidays like Christmas. The United States is overwhelmingly Christian with Protestant denominations making up the majority at 52%, followed by Roman Catholics (24%), Mormon (2%), Jewish (1%), Muslim (1%), other (10%), and none (10%). The country is also noteworthy for its relatively high level of religiosity among developed nations. About 38% of Americans say they attend religious services at least once a week, and 53% of Americans consider religion to be very important in their lives, as compared to 16% in Britain, 14% in France, and 13% in Germany. However, this rate is not uniform across the country as regular attendance is more common in the Bible Belt, composed largely of Southern and Midwestern states, than in the Northeast or the West Coast. In the South, Baptists constitute the largest group, followed by Methodists. Roman Catholicism is predominant in the Northeast, the Southwest, and in large parts of the Midwest. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormon Church, is the predominant religion in the state of Utah, with significant populations in other parts of the country as well. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sports  Sports are national pastimes in the United States, and popular sports are widely celebrated with many avid fans. Professional sports in the U.S. is very big business and its athletes are well compensated. The majority of the world's highest paid athletes play team sports in the United States. The "Big Four" include baseball, American football, Ice hockey, and basketball. Other popular sports include auto racing and lacrosse, which is native to the Americas and by far the oldest in the country. Football (soccer) is a popular participatory sport, especially among childen, but as a spectator sport it does not yet have a large following in contrast to its extreme popularity in other countries. The country is among the most influential regions in shaping three popular board-based recreational sports?surfboarding, skateboarding, and snowboarding, which have many competitions and a large dedicated subculture. The U.S. also hosts large followings of traditional European sporting events, such as the Kentucky Derby, a horse racing event. Rugby Union has also established itself as a popular sport with a loyal following. Other European sports such as polo and cricket, while not popular, do attract players and have established leagues. The United States hosts some of the premier events in other sports such as golf and the U.S. Open in tennis. The country also established itself in the 20th century as a center of the two most popular Western combat sports?boxing, popular as both a spectator sport and a gambling event, and professional wrestling, which is more scripted entertainment than a true sport. The United States has produced many champion boxers who have become public figures. Other combat sports based on martial arts, such as karate, have well organized national leagues and hold frequent competitions. Certain American college sports are nearly as popular as professional sports, particularly college football and college basketball. American colleges often support wide-ranging sports programs, including track and field and more eclectic sports such as water polo. Similarly, many American high schools maintain extensive sports programs, and in some areas of the country, high school football and basketball competitions are major local events. Eight Olympic Games have been hosted in the United States. The U.S. generally fares very well in them, especially the Summer Olympics for instance, in the 2004 Olympics, the U.S. topped the medals table with a record 103 medals (35 gold, 39 silver and 29 bronze). |
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Post: 34533275_8 created on Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:14 amPosted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:14 am
Leon James
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Other Information  Motto: In God We Trust Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner" Capital Washington, D.C. 38 53′N 77?02′W Largest city New York City Official language(s) Offical in 2008, English Government: Federal Republic President Jeffery Michael James-Potts (Republican) Vice President Allison Ellinore Stover (Former Democrat - Liberal Republican) Independence Declared From Great Britain July 4, 1776 Recognized September 3, 1783 Area - Total 9,631,418 km (3rd) 3,718,711 sq mi - Water (%) 4.87 Population - 2009 est. 300,001,987 (3rd) - 2000 census 281,421,906 - Density 31/km (143rd) 85/sq mi GDP (PPP) - Total $16.049 trillion (1st) - Per capita $46,125 (2nd) HDI (2003) 0.942 (11th) high Currency Dollar ($) (USD) Time zone - Summer (DST) (UTC-5 to -10) (UTC-4 to -10) Internet TLD .us .gov .edu .mil .um Calling code +1 |
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Post: 34533275_11 created on Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:38 pmPosted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:38 pm
Leon James
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The Presidency  President of the United States of America Jeffery Michael James-Potts 2008-2012 Vice President of the United States of America Allison Ellinore Stover 2008-2012 The President of the United States of America is the head of state of the United States. Under the U.S. Constitution, the President is also the chief executive of the federal government and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Because of the superpower status of the United States, the American President is widely considered to be the most powerful person on earth, and is usually one of the world's best-known public figures. The President is sometimes referred to as "the leader of the free world," although the usage of this phrase has declined since the end of the Cold War. The United States was the first nation to create the office of President as the head of state in a modern republic. Today the office is widely emulated all over the world in nations with a presidential system of government. Election Presidents and vice presidents of the United States are elected every four years indirectly through the Electoral College. They are the only nationally elected offices in the United States, since executive officers and judges are appointed, and Congressmen are elected at the state level. Electoral College On election day, the voting public select their prefered candidate, which usually translates into a vote for a slate of electors put forward by the candidate's party. Although state legislatures have the consitutional power to appoint slates of electors, all fifty states have established popular election of presidential electors. In December, electors gather at the state capitals to cast their ballots, which are then transmitted to Congress under the care of the sitting vice president. The ballots are counted and certified in January before both houses of Congress. Should a candidate for either president or vice president fail to achieve a majority of votes, the House of Representatives (voting by state) or Senate (voting normally) determine the winner, respectively. Succession The United States presidential line of succession is a detailed list of government officials to serve or act as President upon a vacancy in the office due to death, resignation, or removal from office (by impeachment and conviction). The line of 17 begins with the Vice President and ends with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Legislation to add the Secretary of Homeland Security to the line of succession is pending in Congress. The Constitution provided that, if a President were to die, resign, or be removed from office, the "powers and duties" of the office would devolve upon the Vice President, Article II, Section 1 (which seems to imply the position of acting president), and that the Vice President shall "exercise the office of President of the United States," Article I, Section 2 (which seems to imply actual assumption of the presidency itself). People did not agree as to the exact meaning and intention of the text, and whether the Vice President would succeed to the office of President or merely act as President. After the death of William Henry Harrison, however, Vice President John Tyler asserted that he had become the President, not merely Acting President, and this precedent was followed in all subsequent cases. The 25th amendment eliminated this ambiguity by confirming the Vice President as first in the order as well as spelling out a process for him to serve as Acting President should the President become disabled. A provision of the United States Code (3 U.S.C. ? 19), known as the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, establishes the rest of the succession line. Powers of the President The President, according to the Constitution, must "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." To carry out this responsibility, he has many powers, most of which are subject to or checked by Congressional power. He presides over the executive branch of the federal government; a vast organization of about 4 million people, including 1 million active-duty military personnel, of whom he is commander-in-chief. However, his control over these tools of state are checked by Congress' power "to make Rules for the Government and Regulation for the land and naval Forces" (Article I, Section 8 ). As President-elect, he will make as many as 6,000 appointments in addition to those that must be made during his term proper (including appointments to the federal judiciary), but the Senate must consent to all appointments, except those of "inferior officers" that Congress has vested exclusively in him, the courts, or the heads of departments. He may make temporary appointments without the advice and consent of the Senate if the Senate is in recess, but such appointments expire at the end of the next session of the Senate. While he may not personally initiate legislation, the President may veto any legislation passed by Congress, but that veto can overturned by a two-thirds majority in each House. He may make treaties, but two-thirds of the Senate must ratify these. He is also required by the Consitution to give Congress information on the State of the Union Address and propose measures for their consideration. The political scientist Richard Neustadt said, "Presidential power is the power to persuade and the power to persuade is the ability to bargain". He was commenting on the fact that the President's domestically constitutional power is limited, despite the modern expectation of Presidents to have a legislative program, and successful bargaining with Congress is usually essential to Presidential success. Presidential salary and benefits Traditionally, the President is the highest-paid government employee. Consequently, the President's salary serves as a traditional cap for all other federal officials, such as the Chief Justice. A raise for 2001 was approved by Congress and President Bill Clinton in 1999 because other officials who receive annual cost-of-living increases had salaries approaching the President's. Consequently, to raise the salaries of the other federal employees, the President's salary had to be raised as well. The President's monetary compensation is miniscule in comparison to the CEOs of most Fortune 500 companies; in some parts of the United States some medical specialists (such as cardiovascular surgeons) will earn comparable salaries. The President earns 412,000 as of 2008, as voted by Congress. Traveling While traveling, the President is able to conduct all the functions of the office aboard two custom-built Boeing 747 aircraft popularly known as Air Force One. However, this is not the actual name of the plane as any U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying the President will use the call sign "Air Force One." In addition to Air Force One, the President also utilizes a United States Marine Corps helicopter, most often to carry him from the White House to Air Force One. When the President boards this helicopter or any other Marine Corps aircraft, the aircraft uses the call sign "Marine One". (Previously, an Army aircraft dubbed "Army One" was also used.) "Navy One" and "Coast Guard One" are the call signs used if the President is aboard an aircraft belonging to those two services?for instance, when President George W. Bush landed aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in a Navy jet. "Executive One" would be used if the President flew aboard a civilian aircraft. The President also utilizes a motorcade, in which the President himself rides in the Presidential Limousine. Secret Service The President and his family are always protected by a Secret Service detail. Until 1997, all former Presidents and their families were protected by the Secret Service until the President's death. The last President to have lifetime Secret Service protection is Bill Clinton; George W. Bush and all subsequent Presidents will be protected by the Secret Service for a maximum of 10 years after leaving office. Presidental Cabinet The Cabinet is a part of the executive branch of the U.S. federal government consisting of the heads of federal executive departments. Despite having evolved as one of the most powerful organs of the contemporary U.S. government, the term "Cabinet" does not appear in the U.S. Constitution, where reference is made only to the heads of departments. Significance Though the Cabinet is still an important organ of bureaucratic management, in recent years, the Cabinet has generally declined in relevance as a policy making body. Starting with President Franklin Roosevelt, the trend has been for Presidents to act through the Executive Office of the President or the National Security Council rather than through the Cabinet. This has created a situation in which non-Cabinet officials such as the White House Chief of Staff, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the National Security Advisor have power as large or larger than some Cabinet officials. Traditionally the most powerful and relevant Cabinet members are the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, and Attorney General. In recent years, the Secretary of Homeland Security has risen to a level of significance that is arguably closer to the "big four" than to the other cabinet offices. Secretary of State Colin Powell [NPC] Secretary of the Treasury James B. Busey [NPC] Attorney General Alan Fisk [NPC] Secretary of the Interior Bill Horton [NPC] Secretary of Agriculture Roger Tribbey [NPC] Secretary of Commerce Mitch Bryce [NPC] Secretary of Labor Carl Reid [NPC] Secretary of Defense Randy L. Khep Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Deborah O'Leary [NPC] Secretary of Transportation Andrew Card [NPC] Secretary of Energy Thomas S. Gates [NPC] Secretary of Health and Human Services Andrew L. Alexander [NPC] Secretary of Education William John Bennett [NPC] Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Joseph Principi [NPC] Secretary of Homeland Security Steve Jellinek [NPC] White House Chief of Staff Shelly A. Vecino Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Douglas M. Costle [NPC] Director of the Office of Management and Budget James T. McIntyre [NPC] Director of the National Drug Control Policy Robert "Bob" Martinez [NPC] U.S. Trade Representative Carl J. Gilbert [NPC] Press Secretary Stephen Colbert [NPC] Deputy Press Secretary Annabeth Schott [NPC] Media Director Mandy Hampton [NPC] White House Council Oliver Babish [NPC] Deputy White House Council Ainsley Hayes [NPC] National Security Advisor Nancy McNally [NPC] Deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper [NPC] Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Percy Fitzwallace [NPC] Assistant to the Chief of Staff Margaret Hooper [NPC] Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman [NPC] Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff Donna Moss [NPC] Presidential Secretary Deborah Fiderer [NPC] Personal Aide to the President Charlie Young [NPC] Chief of Staff to the First Lady (Hired, but without a first lady.) Amy Gardner [NPC] White House Communications Director Toby Ziegler [NPC] Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn [NPC] The White House  The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States of America. The White House is a white-painted, neoclassical sandstone mansion located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. (38 53′51″N, 77 02′12″W). As the office of the U.S. President, the term "White House" is often used as a metonym for the president's administration. The property is owned by the National Park Service and is part of President's Park. An image of the White House is on the back of the American twenty dollar bill. Structure The Cross hall, connecting the State Dining Room and the East Room. To the left is the official entrance of the house from the North Portico, to the right above the door is the Official Presidential Seal.Few people realize the size of the White House, since much of it is below ground or otherwise minimized by landscaping. In fact, the White House has: 6 stories and 55,000 ft? (5,100 m?) of floor space 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms 412 doors 147 windows 28 fireplaces 8 staircases 3 elevators 5 full-time chefs 5,000 visitors a day A tennis court A bowling lane A movie theater A jogging track A swimming pool It is also one of the first government buildings in Washington that was made wheelchair-accessible, with modifications having been made during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who needed to use a wheelchair as a result of polio. In the 1990s Hillary Rodham Clinton, at the suggestion of Visitors Office Director Melinda N. Bates, approved the addition of a ramp in the East Wing corridor. It allowed easy wheelchair access for the public tours and special events that enter through the secure entrance building on the east side. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman added a much-discussed balcony to the South Portico at the second-floor level. Not long after the balcony was constructed, the building was found to be structurally unsound, and in imminent danger of collapse. President Truman and family moved to Blair House across the street while the White House was renovated. The old interior was dismantled, leaving the house as a shell. It was then rebuilt using concrete and steel beams in place of its original wooden joists. Some modifications were made, with the largest being the repositioning of the grand staircase to open into the Entrance Hall, rather than the Cross Hall, as was the case previously. President Truman and family moved back into the White House on March 27, 1952. Though the structural integrity of the building had been corrected in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the interior, as a result of decades of poor maintenance and then the process of removal and reinstatement, had been allowed to deteriorate. Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of President John F. Kennedy (1961?63), remodeled the interior of many rooms with decors inspired by its early nineteenth-century appearance, often using high-quality furniture that had been put in storage in the basements and forgotten about. Many of the antiques, fine paintings, and other improvements of the Kennedy period were given to the White House by rich donors, including Jane Engelhard, Jayne Wrightsman, the Oppenheimer family of South Africa, and other moneyed individuals. The Kennedy decor, much admired then as now, had an imperial Francophile air that was the result of the decorator Stephane Boudin of Jansen, the eminent Paris design company that had planned and/or executed decors for the royal families of Belgium and Iran, the Duchess of Windsor, and Nazi Germany's Reichsbank. The rooms that had a more early American appearance were decorated by Boudin but heavily influenced by the millionaire museum founder Henry Francis du Pont. Since then, every presidential family has made changes to the decor of the White House, some subtle, others more profound and controversial. In the 1990s, for example, President and Mrs. Clinton had some of the rooms recast by Arkansas decorator Kaki Hockersmith; the result, though presumably inspired by the Kennedy years, was unveiled to general derision. The West/East Wing In the early 20th century, new buildings were added to the wings at either side of the main White House to accommodate the President's growing staff. The West Wing houses the President's office (the Oval Office) and offices of his senior staff, with room for about 50 employees. It also includes the Cabinet Room, where the United States Cabinet meets, and the White House Situation Room. Some members of the President's staff are located in the adjacent Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The East Wing, which contains additional office space, was added to the White House in 1942. Among its uses, the East Wing has intermittently housed the offices and staff of the First Lady. Rosalynn Carter, in 1977, was the first to place her personal office in the East Wing and to formally call it the "Office of the First Lady." The East Wing was built during World War II in order to hide the construction of an underground bunker to be used in emergency situations. The bunker has come to be known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. Security On May 20, 1995, primarily as a response to the Oklahoma City bombing of April 19, 1995, but also in reaction to several other incidents, (see Security Review) the United States Secret Service closed off Pennsylvania Avenue to vehicular traffic in front of the White House from the eastern edge of Lafayette Park to 17th Street. Later, the closure was extended an additional block to the east to 15th Street, and the sidewalk between the White House and the Treasury Building was closed to the public. Prior to its inclusion within the fenced compound that now includes the Old Executive Office Building to the West and the Treasury Building to the east, this sidewalk served as a queuing area for the daily public tours of the White House. These tours were suspended in the wake of the events of September 11, 2001. In September of 2003 they were resumed on a limited basis for groups making prior arrangements through their Congressional representatives and submitting to background checks, but the White House remains closed to the general public. The Pennsylvania Avenue closing, in particular, has been opposed by organized civic groups in Washington, D.C. They argue that the closing impedes traffic flow unnecessarily and is inconsistent with the well-conceived historic plan for the city. As for security considerations, they note that the White House is set much farther back from the street than are numerous other sensitive federal buildings and has undergone a great deal of structural strengthening in the not too distant past. |
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Post: 34533275_12 created on Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:01 amPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:01 am
Leon James
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United States Armed Forces Your Information Needs Located at the following locations. The rest of the information, not listed. This post also doubles, as first line of defense in the result of major attacks, as well as local law enforcement, federal law enforcement, and any other means that I deem, that also match what is possible by real world standards. Also, what I say, goes first. Gaia, and Wikipedia are not the same. Therefore, if I say, "I have F-35s," then I have F-35s. |
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