The basic philosophies of the **Founding Fathers** revolved around the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Everyone had the right to exist for their own sake and purpose, which should not interfere with someone’s freedom.

**Thomas Jefferson** was a democratic spokesman, one of the Founding Fathers, third President of the States, and author of the Declaration of Independence. He was a significant political individual who certainly voiced his opinion about the philosophies of politics.

Jefferson firmly believed in a system based on strict constructionism. A system where the federal powers should be limited to a degree and that the rest of the remaining powers should fall into the hands of individuals states. He was a significant political individual.

James Madison wrote Federalist 10 in response to Anti-Federalists who argued that the country was too large and diverse to be represented by a central government. Madison responded that it was the very size and diversity of opinion that would ensure that all voices were heard. Due to this diversity, different factions would be required to cooperate in order to achieve their legislative goals. Minority opinions would be voiced, but not at the expense of effective governing like under the Articles of Confederation. This is what Madison is referring to when he writes, “It may clog the administration, it may convulse the society; but it will be unable to execute and mask its violence under the forms of the Constitution.” (Federalist 10) Madison also writes, “In the extent and proper structure of the Union, therefore, we behold a republican remedy for the diseases most incident to republican government.” (Federalist 10) Essentially, a republican form of government has built in solutions for many of the problems which arise from its very existence.

The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (also known as the GI Bill) was legislation signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. It served to provide numerous benefits to service members returning from World War II. Among other benefits, it provided tuition to veterans which dramatically changed the societal landscape of American culture. The investment in American veterans allowed them to attend school and set themselves up for a better long-term economic future. It opened the door to higher education to millions of Americans. The bill also provided low cost loans to help service members purchase a home. One can argue that Congress’ power to “provide for the general welfare” gave them the constitutional support for the GI Bill.

Checks and balances exist between the judicial and legislative branches. One large check is that the Senate must confirm the President’s nominees to the Supreme Court and lower courts. Through judicial review, the judiciary can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. However, Congress can then in return pass bills which work around court decisions. While the Supreme Court is the ultimate authority on the constitutionality of legislation, Congress can try to amend previous laws in order to fit the ruling passed down by the courts. Just like their check on the President, Article I empowers Congress to impeach court justices.

Reapportion means to redistribute seats in the House of Representatives based on the population of each state. Congress is bicameral, and the Senate maintains two Senators per state regardless of population. The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years following the U.S Census. As the census tracks population changes, seats are added and taken away from states in proportion to their population changes. Since the Reapportionment Act of 1929 the House is limited to 435 members. As states gain in population, they also gain seats in the House. These seats are taken away from states that have had their population decrease in the previous ten years. While the total number of seats stays the same, each state’s portion is dependent on their population.
The chart demonstrates changes in the number of seats in the House allocated to New York, Illinois, Texas, and California from 1910 to 2010. One can easily see the increased populations of California and Texas. New York and Illinois however, both lost seats between 1910 and 2010. This demonstrates a shift in population which benefited California and Texas in terms of representation in the House of Representatives.