The Constitutionality of the Blaine Amendment

Jessica Joy Day

Introduction

The Blaine Amendment

National Effect

Idaho’s Effect

Policy Identification

Article 9 Section 5

Article 9 Section 6

(Idaho Constitution Art. 9 5)

History/ Background

Public Schools

Protestants

Catholics

Figure 1: From “Blaine Amendment” (2008). Retrieved March 3, 2009, from http://www.blaineamendments.org.

History/ Background

James G. Blaine

Nationalize Amendment

Territory Requirement

Figure 1: From “School Choice Media Kit. (n.d.). Retrieved March 9, 2009 from http://www.ij.org/indexphp?option=com_content&task=view&id=1537&Itemid=282

Current Situation

Mitchell vs. Helms (Allison, 1995)

Zelman vs. Simmons (Zelman vs. Simmons, 2002)

Lock vs. Davey (Underkuffler, n.d.)

Differing Viewpoints

Proponents

Sincere Education (Green, 2008)

Religion Has It’s Place (Davis, 2001)

ACLU (“ACLU Program,” 2007)

Differing Viewpoints

Opponents

Contradicts Free Exercise and Establishment Clause (Green, 2008)

Nativist, Anti-Catholic Roots (Bolick, n.d.)

Discrimination (Green, 2008)

Recommendation

Remove Lines about Schools

Lemon Test (Allison, 1995)

Thomas Jefferson

John Dewey

Bible as Literature

Conclusion

Economic and Politically Feasibility

The Blaine Amendment’s Unconstitutionality

Discrimination of a Particular Group

Thomas Jefferson Quote

References

Allison, Jim (n.d.). The Lemon Test. Retrieved March 7, 2009, from Separation of Church and State website:http://candst.tripod.com/tnppage/eclause2.htm

Bolick, C (n.d.).The Constitutional Parameters of School Choice. Brigham Young University Law Review. 335-350.

Davis, D. (2001). The US Supreme Court as Moral Physician: Mitchell v. Helms and the Constitutional Revolution to Reduce Restrictions on Governmental. Aid to Religion (n.d.) Journal of Church & State, p. 213. Retrived March 7, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database.Green, S (n.d.).The Insignificance of the Blaine Amendment. 295-333.Article IX Section 5 Education and School Lands (I.C. ｧ 9-350).

Article IX Section 6 Education and School Lands (I.C. ｧ 9-350). School Choice Media Kit. (n.d.). Retrieved March 9, 2009 from

http://www.ij.org/indexphp?option=com_\

content&task=view&id=1537&Itemid=282. Underkuffler, L.S. (2007). Locke vs. Davey. Retrieved March 8, 2009, from Duke Law website:

http://www.law.duke.edu/publiclaw/supremecourtonline/commentary/locvdav

Questions ?