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PBS MAY 7 TUESDAY 9PM EST THE CONSTITUTION 4 PART SERIES
PART 1--ALL SIDES
YOU MAY THINK YOU KNOW IT BUT YOU DON'T--LEARN
One
of the most revolutionary aspects of the Constitution is “federalism,”
the innovative system which created a strong national government while
at the same time preserving much of the independence of the states. This
delicate balance of power, seemingly hard-wired for disagreement and
conflict, has served America well for more than two centuries. But it
has also led to tensions throughout American history and still sparks
controversy today.
Peter Sagal travels across the
country and meets many who believe that the federal government has
grown too big, and assumed more power than the framers intended. He’ll
talk to a Montana gun rights advocate, who believes federal firearms
regulations are taking away his constitutional rights, and to the owner
of a medical marijuana dispensary in Oakland which is legal according to
the state of California, but for which he could be subject to the death
penalty according to federal law.
On the flip
side, Peter will meet passionate advocates who point to the central
contributions that can only be made from a strong central government,
like the construction of dams and interstate highways, protection of
food and drugs, and maintaining clean water and air. He’ll learn how, in
times of crisis like the battle over integration of schools in Little
Rock, Arkansas, it was the federal government that dramatically stepped
in to make a difference.
