Latest / The Florida Civic Literacy Examination FCLE Podcast / FCLE Competency Two: U.S. Constitution Structure & Key Principles
Transcript
- FCLEE3: You are listening to the Florida Civic Literacy Examination Podcast. I am your host, Dr. L. Collins. In previous podcast, we have already covered the FCLE's three big ideas. Now we are looking at the actual document, the United States Constitution. Because competency two is Focuses on how the United States Constitution works and how it applies to the lives of the citizenry. The United States Constitution opens with the preamble We the people. That phrase is not decoration. It means the government's power comes from the people, not from a king or a permanent ruling class. That is popular sovereignty. And it shows up on the exam. Here is what you need to know to move through competency two cleanly. The United States Constitution has seven articles. The ones you will use the most on the FCLE are the first three. Article one creates Congress. The Legislative branch and gives Congress the power to make laws. Article two creates the presidency, the executive branch, and gives the presidency the power to enforce laws. Article three creates the Supreme Court and the rest of the federal judiciary, the judicial branch, and gives the Judiciary the power to interpret laws legislative, executive, judicial. One, two, three. Lock that in. Articles four through seven still matter. Article four covers how states treat each other and how new states join the Union. Article five lays out how the Constitution can be amended. Article six contains the Supremacy Clause. The Constitution and federal law are the supreme law of the land. Article seven covers the original ratification. You do not need to know every detail, but you should recognize what each one does. The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments. The Bill of Rights limits what government can do to you. And protects your individual rights. Know these four especially well for the FCLE. The First Amendment protects speech, religion, press, and assembly. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fifth Amendment includes due process. The Tenth Amendment reserves to the states or the people powers not given to the federal government. When you hear the Tenth Amendment, think reserve powers and federalism, states rights. One more thing that matters. Most of the Bill of Rights protections now apply to the states as well through. A process called selective incorporation under the fourteenth amendment. You do not need a long explanation, but you should know the idea exists on the FCLE. Know which article creates which branch and what those key amendments protect. That is the core of competency two. Still have questions about the FCLE? Well, call or email me. We will get the FCLE behind you so you can focus on graduating and building the career you actually want, earning a solid income to provide for your future. The future is so bright, we have to wear shades. Thank you for listening to the FCLE Podcast. I am your host. doctor ML Collins signing off for now. The workshop link is in the channel description. Prepare, practice, pass, let's get it done. Study the FCLE. With me, doctor Collins. You'll be glad you did.