The Power of Language
Bob Jones 11-19-96 period 3 Mrs. Fox
Of all possible human qualities, the one that wields the most power is the ability to use, understand and communicate effectively through language. A proficient use of language allows us to clearly communicate an exact idea from one person to another person or group of people. This precise science of being able to convey exactly what you want equates to the acquisition of power. An important link between language and power is persuasion. The power of persuasion is so strong it allows certain individuals to influence, and therefore, control thousands, even millions, of people and bind them together in search of one common cause. This tactic
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It was the power of his language that made the trip possible. It was also Kennedy who coined the phrase, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." This became the battle cry for the capitalist, American way of life. On January 26 and 27, 1830, the United States Senate heard one of the greatest speeches ever delivered before it. Daniel Webster, senator from
Massachusetts, made the speech in answer to Senator Robert Hayne of South
Carolina. The issue was the nullification controversy. Hayne, a confederate of
John C. Calhoun, has said that the federal government was a mere confederation of states and that the states could refuse to obey any laws passed by Congress.
Webster refuted Hayne's notion with the memorable words, "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!" It placed Webster in the front rank of
American orators and won him enduring statesmanship. There are other ways, besides public speaking that an effective use of language can be used to gain power. Millions of people encounter written language every day. Major novelists, such as John Grisham, have written several best sellers that are read and enjoyed by many people. Various
John Fitzgerald Kennedy delivered one of the most important American speeches after being sworn in as president on January 20, 1961. His inauguration speech was so influential that it seized the nation’s attention, and quotes from it are still clearly remembered by people today. It is considered one of the best speeches ever written and ever delivered. It presents a strong appeal to pathos, ethos, and logos and accomplishes what any speaker strives for – it speaks straight to the heart of the audience and inspires people.
“...ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This
The federal government began to gain power, and in Article I section 8 says, “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imports, and excises, to pay the debts and provide the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imports and excises shall be uniform through the United States; to borrow money on the credit of the United Staes; to regulate commerce with foreign nation, and among the several states, and with the Indians Tribes… to establish post offices and post roads .” The following quote describes how the national government has different kinds of power compared to federal government. Article IV section 1 says, “full faith and credit shall be given in each states to the public acts, records, and judicial proceeding of every other state. And the Congress may general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved… ” In simpler words, the state government has to follow laws just like a ordinary
Since there is no text in the Constitution that states this the claims must be made by historical understanding and practice of the text. The people who are against this argue that in recent years that there has not been any precedent that relates to this kind of action. However they disagree with that and state there in fact has been the earliest congress had acts that also required state officials to participate in the enforcement of federal laws. They were doing so however since they did not know that power existed. The assumption that the federal government can command the state's executive power in the absence of a constitutional authorization is not indicated it is the opposite of that actually. Including that it has been around since the earlier is not true that there is some protection that the states have against this keeping their duty to keep their goals. The early legislation also has sources that indicate the original understanding of the Constitution. Alos that though they could and may be needed to regulate commerce they way the act was set up was not within its power to do so. They stayed with the old principle that states are not required to enforce it since state legislature is not required to follow or are a subject to federal direction. There is also a separation of powers that a state has and powers that the government
independence of each state. The document guaranteed each state sovereignty and granted each state one vote in Congress. Under the Articles, Congress could not change taxes, regulate trade, or force states to fulfill their obligations. However, the Articles did allow Congress to declare war and peace, manage foreign relations, establish and command an army and navy, and issue and borrow money.
any major laws to pass they had to be approved by at least 9 of the 13 states. This made the
And the last power that the constitution prohibits from states is that the states are not allowed to tax on any goods coming in and out of the U.S.. Once again the states would have to much power and this is already a national government job.
“Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country."
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the Stated respectively, or to the
3b. Which amendment states that the powers not specifically delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states?
Under the Articles of Confederation, all states are sovereign. Under the articles, a federal court system does not exist nor did independent executives. All laws set for the citizens of America are enforced and set by the state. Congress is composed of one body and is delegated specific authorities. The Articles state that congress is not allowed to participate in state or foreign commerce, nor are they allowed to tax citizens. In the case of having documents or laws amended, each state is allowed one vote. If a unanimous decision cannot be made, then the document or law could not be amended (Maier, 2010; Wood, 1998 .)
“Federalism, central to the constitutional design, adopts the principle that both the National and State Governments have elements of sovereignty the other is bound to respect.” Arizona v. United States, 132 S. Ct. 2492, 2500 (2012). The Supremacy Clause provides a clear rule that federal law “shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.” Art. VI, cl. 2. Under this standard, Congress has the power to preempt state law. Arizona, 132 S. Ct. at 2495; Crosby v. National Foreign Trade Council, 530 U.S. 363, 372 (2000); Gibbons v. Ogden, 9 Wheat. 1, 210–211 (1824). However, it is assumed that historic State police powers are not superseded “unless that was the clear and manifest purpose of Congress.” Arizona, 132 S. Ct. at 2501; Rice v. Santa Fe Elevator Corp., 331 U.S. 218, 230 (1947).
“ Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. “ These are the famous words said by JFK in his inaugural address. These words have power, they give you a feeling of humbleness. This is pathos, It gives you almost a saddening feeling. It makes you feel like you expect a lot, but also makes you want to give.
“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This is a famous quote said by President John Fitzgerald Kennedy when he was getting to take the oath of holding the potential position during the Inaugural address. This quote has been an inspiration of an unaccountable number of American lives.
Language is the inevitable medium that people use as a means of communication. However, how that person uses the language that they have varies from person to person. Some view language as a persuasive political instrument and others view it as a means of expression and empowerment. In the essay “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?” by James Baldwin, he was able to illustrate the history of the discrimination of language and how black English is not accepted as its own language. Baldwin also shows that due to the lack of acknowledgement of black English, it lacks the power it needs to empower the people who speak it. In the essay “Politics and the English Language” by George Orwell, he was able to break down language and explain how language shapes reality. Orwell expresses that he is not considering the literary use of language, but language is an instrument of expression and the promotion of cognitive deliberation and persuasion. Furthermore, both these authors agree that language is a political instrument, however, Baldwin uses this instrument to unite people and Orwell uses the instrument to persuade people.