I was wondering about life in America. I know that you have a democratic government there. Will you please tell me about it? Thank you. How are your parents doing. I hope that Aunt Betty survives her heart attack. How are Mary and Susan? Have they grown at all?
Hey listen, there was this huge explosion a few weeks ago. Ever since then the old people think that Fidel Castro's going to get kicked out of office by the counter-revolutionaries! It would be nice if we had freedom.
Adios,
Juan
Dear Juan,
How are you today? We have been studying your country. It is a lot different from our government.
Here are the events that led us to democracy. The British settled America. The British settled the thirteen original colonies. After awhile the thirteen colonies got tired of the British having control over them, so they waged the Revolutionary War. In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration Of Independence. The colonies won the war and they named themselves the United States of America. In the declaration it states that we have the right to alter and abolish the government if it becomes destructive to the country's health.
The President has the most power held by one person. He decides whether or not to endorse an act of congress. In order to refuse signing an act of Congress, Clinton must give a reason why he won't sign it. There are fourteen other departments in the executive branch of the government, plus Clinton and Gore. We can write letters to the President telling him what we want our nation to be like.
In our government there is a branch that interprets, or explains, to us how the law is supposed to be enforced. This branch is known as the Judicial Branch. It includes the Supreme Court. That's the one that handles all cases against the American people as a whole. All of the different courts are put under this heading.
In the United States all people have rights. The right to do whatever they want as long as its not against the law. Most of the people have the same opportunities as one another, but when one person breaks the law then that person can be put on trial to see what should be done If the law has been broken, a person can be jailed or killed. First a trial will be held to prove this person's guilt or innocence. If this person is proven to be guilty, a consequence will be taken.
The people living in this country have the right to choose where they want to live, and what job they want. They have the freedom to vote for their government officials. Democracy has its problems, but the people are satisfied with what they have.
See you soon,
Chris B.
O.C. M.
Ryan R.
Megan E.
Time Magazine: "Cubans, Go Home" September 5, 1994, pg.28
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