The Logic of Collective Action

     The individual member of the typical large organization is in a position analogous to that of the firm in a perfectly competitive market, or the taxpayer in the state: his own efforts will not have a noticeable effect on the situation of his organization, and he can enjoy any improvements brought about by others whether or not he has worked in support of his organization.

     A member of large organization or group does not have to do a lot of work within the organization, the truth is that he may not have to do any work at all, the fact that he belongs to a group entitles him to enjoy the improvements that others achieve for the organization.   A perfect example would be a free public service offered by the government, we can all benefit from it, the government cannot discriminate, it cannot exclude a citizen who does not pay taxes.

Roe v. Wade

     Roe (P), a pregnant single woman, brought a class action suit challenging the constitutionality of the Texas abortion laws. These laws made it a crime to obtain or attempt an abortion except on medical advice to save the life of the mother.

     Other plaintiffs in the lawsuit included Hallford, a doctor who faced criminal prosecution for violating the state abortion laws; and the Does, a married couple with no children, who sought an injunction against enforcement of the laws on the grounds that they were unconstitutional. The defendant was county District Attorney Wade (D).

     A three-judge District Court panel tried the cases together and held that Roe and Hallford had standing to sue and presented justiciable controversies, and that declaratory relief was warranted. The court also ruled however that injunctive relief was not warranted and that the Does’ complaint was not justiciable.

     Roe and Hallford won their lawsuits at trial. The district court held that the Texas abortion statutes were void as vague and for over broadly infringing the Ninth and Fourteenth Amendment rights of the plaintiffs. The Does lost, however, because the district court ruled that injunctive relief against enforcement of the laws was not warranted.

     The Does appealed directly to the Supreme Court of the United States and Wade cross-appealed the district court’s judgment in favor of Roe and Hallford.

     The Roe v. Wade decision changed the lives of women forever, it allowed women to be in control of their bodies, and it gave women the right to make a decision without having to break the law. Women would not have to seek dangerous practices to terminate a pregnancy.  Not every woman agrees with the decision, some of us who are pro-life, we believe that the courts made the incorrect decision. 

     I chose this topic because I believe that without Roe V. Wade, women’s rights would be stagnant, we would have not been able to enjoy the freedom we have and would not be able to exercise our rights.  Roe v. Wade’s decision opened up new doors to women rights and for it, I’m really grateful.   

John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address

     “Whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own”.

     President Kennedy was very simple and clear in his inaugural speech, he asked to be held accountable for his decisions just like the country would expect from its citizens.  President Kennedy believed that we all had the power to change the world for the better.

     President Kennedy’s speech is very clear, the future of the country did not only rely on the way he would lead this nation, the progress of a nation also relied on the willingness of citizens of a nation to do their fair share, he wanted each and every one of us to be socially responsible, we were asked to do “God’s work” here on earth.