independent

Examples of independent in the following topics:

• The Rise of Independents

  • Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties.
  • In 2008, Independent Presidential candidate, Ralph Nader formed Independent parties in New Mexico, Delaware, and elsewhere to gain ballot access in several states.
  • Vermont senator Jim Jeffords left the Republican Party to become an Independent in 2001.
  • In November 2005, Manny Diaz was elected Mayor of Miami, Florida as an Independent.
  • Describe independent voters in U.S. politics and the history of independents elected to national, regional and local offices

• The Declaration of Independence

  • The Declaration of Independence was a letter to the king explaining why the colonies were separating from Britain.
  • The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire .
  • A committee was assembled to draft the formal declaration, to be ready when congress voted on independence.
  • After ratifying the text on July 4, Congress issued the Declaration of Independence in several forms.
  • Explain the major themes and ideas espoused by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence

• [PF content: The Declaration of Independence]

• Political Strife and American Independence

  • Advocates of independence in Congress moved to have reluctant colonial governments revise instructions to their delegations, or even replace those governments which would not authorize independence.
  • The resolution of independence was delayed for several weeks as revolutionaries consolidated support for independence in their home governments.
  • On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee tabled a resolution before the Continental Congress declaring the colonies independent.
  • Congress finally approved the resolution of independence on July 2, 1776.
  • Describe the steps taken by the Continental Congress after declaring independence from the British Empire

• Independent Agencies

  • Independent executive agencies operate as regulatory and service agencies to oversee federal government functions.
  • These agencies are distinct from executive departments because they have some degree of independence from the President.
  • Even though the president appoints them, agency leadership is non-partisan, or independent from Presidential politics and election turn over.
  • To illustrate this point, consider one independent agency — the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).
  • The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is one of many independent executive agencies.

• Making Policy

  • However, the actual development and implementation of policies are under the purview of different bureaucratic institutions mainly comprised cabinet departments, independent executive agencies, government corporations, and regulatory agencies.
  • The remaining government organizations within the executive branch outside of the presidency are independent executive agencies.
  • Differentiate between cabinet departments, independent executive agencies, government corporation, and regulatory agencies in making policy

• Party Identification

  • They also can declare themselves independent and not aligned with any political party.
  • The proportion of people registering as independents increased 57 percent between 1990 and 1998, while those registering as Democrats declined by 14 percent and as Republicans by 5 percent.
  • In 2011, 31 percent of the population identified as Democrats, 29 percent as Republican, and 38 percent as independents .
  • This chart indicates the number of citizens registered as Republicans, Democrats, or Independents.
  • The number of people identifying as independents is rising, indicating that less people are voting solely along traditional party lines.

• Regulatory Commissions

  • Independent regulatory agencies create and enforce regulations to protect the public at large.
  • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an independent regulatory agency intended to promote public health by overseeing food and drug safety.
  • An independent regulatory agency is separate from the other branches of the federal government.
  • To better understand how independent regulatory agencies function, let us consider the U.S.

• The First Continental Congress

  • In June 1774, the Virginia and Massachusetts assemblies independently proposed an intercolonial meeting of delegates from the several colonies to restore the union between Great Britain and the American colonies.
  • The document, addressed to his Majesty and to the people of Great Britain, included a statement of rights and principles, many of which were later incorporated into the Declaration of Independence and Federal Constitution.
  • By the time the second Congress met, the Revolutionary War had already begun, and the issue of independence, rather than a redress of grievances, dominated the debates.

• China

  • The U.S. maintains sympathy for a independent Taiwan due to its liberal, pluralistic democracy, and gives Taiwan extensive political and military support.
  • International human rights organizations have identified a number of potential violations in China, including the use of capital punishment, the application of the one child policy, the denial of independence to Tibet, the absence of a free press, the absence of an independent judiciary with due process, the absence of labor rights, and the absence of religious freedom.