Several new state laws set for 2012 – USATODAY.com

Several new state laws set for 2012 – USATODAY.com

High Court Rulings on Campaign Spending, Sentencing of Juveniles

Two other important Supreme Court decisions were announced yesterday.  The first upheld the Citizens United decision allowing unlimited corporate campaign donations.  (They struck down a Montana law which restricted campaign donations.)

The second decision by the Court said that it was a violation of the 8th Amendment to sentence juveniles to life imprisonment without a chance of parole.

Watch High Court Reaffirms Campaign Finance on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

Supreme Court Ruling on Arizona's Controversial Immigration Law

Three important parts of the law were struck down, another upheld (for now at least).  The part that was upheld, sometimes called the "show me your papers" provision is seen by some as the most controversial part of the law.  A good explanation from Marcia Coyle on the NewsHour on PBS last night:

Watch Supreme Court Upholds Controversial Part of Immigration Law on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

Supreme Court to Hear Legal Challenge to Health Care Law

Note:  I will try to get a brief summary of the law and the controversy surrounding it posted here soon.

The signing of the law was a high moment for the Obama Administration, which promised to solve many of the problems plaguing the American health care system, including estimates that 47 million Americans don't have health care insurance.

However, many conservatives, especially "Tea Party" activists thought the law went too far and challenged the constitutionality of it in court.  Those challenges have quickly worked their way through the system and Monday, the Supreme Court, announced its decision to hear the case in March of 2012.

The NBC Evening News report:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

You can also read more detailed coverage from the New York Times:

Justices to Hear Health Care Case as Race Heats Up

Controversy over Obama speech to students

I find the whole idea of people objecting to the President speaking to kids and encouraging them to make the most of their education absolutely ridiculous. It would be funny if it weren't an indication of how rabid politics has become.

Politics | Analysis: Furor over speech typifies polarization | Seattle Times Newspaper

However, all of this is not new: There was opposition from conservatives from the time the federal government created the Department of Education in the 1960's. Many of them believed that it was unreasonable for the federal government to become more involved in public education, which is primarily the province of state and local governments. The following article gives you some background on political battles conservatives have waged over federal policy on public education.

The history behind opposition to Obama’s speech to students | csmonitor.com

Some State Governments take on Washington, D.C.

What if you are unhappy with what Congress and the President are doing? One answer is look to make change at the state and local level. It is an old argument in America? How much power should the federal government have, and how much authority do states have to resist?

This was an argument that the Framers dealt with in Philadelphia in 1787, Hamilton and Jefferson sparred about in the early republic, that tore the Union asunder in 1861, and continues to this day. In the 20th century, the federal (national) government won most of the important battles and became much more powerful than the states. However, that doesn't mean the pendulum of power cannot swing back to the states.

Here is an example of what some states are doing in asserting States' rights authority in a fight against national actions that are unpopular in their parts of the country.

States rebel against Washington | csmonitor.com

Some states may shun stimulus funds - At least six governors have said they may refuse money, but will they face a backlash?