Janet Napolitano

Department of Homeland Security
Title: United States Secretary of Homeland Security
Name: Janet Napolitano

Roles: As head of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet's main job is protecting America's homeland and the safety of all its citizens.  This is different than the Department of Defense because instead of focusing on external affairs, it focuses on internal affairs.

"And I am also here to say that if something were to happen, we are prepared to respond swiftly, to respond effectively, and to respond strongly.  That is our tradition as a country.  And that is a tradition that we will uphold, regardless of any circumstance because this nation is one that is very, very strong and, indeed, extraordinarily resilient." - Janet Napolitano

Secretary Eric Shinseki First of Thousands of VA Employees, Veterans to ...

Name: Hilda L. Solis
Job Title: Secretary of Labor

Department: Department of Labor

Roles:
1. To ensure that all employees occupy a safe work environment.
One major role that the Department of Labor has is to confirm that every employer follows the laws listed under the Fair Labor Standards Act. This act establishes overtime pay, regulations for employees under the age of 16, and employment restrictions.

2. Every industry and business are required to follow the Occupational Safety and Health Act. This act requires that every employer must provide a workplace free from potential hazards.

3. The department of Labor also established Worker's Compensation. This requires employers to provide financial aid/ payment to those who have become injured/ ill. However the person must have gotten the injury/ illness while on the job.

4.

Attorney General of the United States: Eric H. Holder Jr.

Department: Justice

Title: Attorney General

Name: Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Roles:
I represent the legal system of the United States and in doing so, I help the President as well as different executive departments advice and share my opinions regarding legal issues. When situations call for it, i will appear before the supreme court.


"We will keep industry leaders informed about emerging fraud schemes and help institute effective compliance and anti-fraud programs. And we will punish offenders to the fullest extent of the law. That’s a promise."

I recently attended a conference in Detroit regarding the issue of health care fraud. As i said in this speech, i take my job very seriously and intend on doing everything within my abilities to ensure justice and safety to all, and punish those who offend. I have ensured the fact that fighting health care fraud should be under the utmost reveiw due to its significant impact, especially on the Detroit area.

Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, Department of State

Department of Energy

Steven Chu Secretary of Energy United States Department of Energy Roles: As the Secretary of Energy, I am responsible for directing the department of energy. My department is involved in the research and management of energy production, along with controlling nuclear waste and maintaining the environment. As the secretary, I oversee all of these operations. "The American public... just like your teenage kids, aren't acting in a way that they should act. The American public has to really understand in their core how important this issue is." I am explaining how important this time is in our history. We can't ignore the problem that we know we have. Global warming is an issue that will affect everyone, and it is important that we don't just wait and pass this problem on to the next generation.

http://img.slate.com/media/1/123125/123019/2156568/2174944/071001_PB_GatesTN.jpg

Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense, Defense Department

I act as the advisor of defense policies to the President.

As Secretary of Defense, I am responsible for the creation of general defense policies and other policies directly concerned with the Defense department. Because the President is only one man, he requires subordinates to carry out his duties. As Secretary of Defense, I help the President carry out his duties pertaining to National Defense.

With the consent of the President, the Secretary of Dense can exercise authority and control over the Department of Defense. When the President is unable to attend to his duties of National defense, I am given authority to rule over the department. This, allows me to take place where the President cannot, allow for optimal efficiency to continue even when the President is not present.

Boss of Commerce: Gary Locke

Gary Locke is the current Secretary of Commerce and as of now, is the presidential nominee to become the next United States ambassador to China.

Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services

The health care bill, which was strongly supported by Sebelius, gives 1,697 times where she and her department are given the authority to implement and interpret passages in the bill. The Department of Health and Human Services would take over insurance regulation from the states and would define qualified plans, what they cover, what they should cost, and who should be covered.

The Department of Health and Human Services is also in charge of emergency epidemic plans for the country, trying to prevent the spread of diseases, and aims to "protect the health of all Americans and provide essential services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves."

A quote from Sebelius: "The biggest change we can make isn't how we provide health

care--it's when. "

This quote from Sebelius clearly shows her view on goverenment. Instead of being interested in efficiency, she is more focused on immediate solutions to problems at hand, regardless of whether such solutions are the best options.

Attorney General -Department of Justice

Name : General Eric Holder

Title: Attorney General

Office Department: Head of Department of Justice

The responsibilities include the following:

* The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters generally, and gives advice and opinions to the president and to other heads of executive departments as requested.

* The attorney general chief law officer and legal counsel of the government of a state or nation.

* The attorney general also supervises and directs the activities of the U.S. attorneys and U.S. marshals in the various judicial districts.

* The attorneys general prosecute all offenses against the United States, and prosecute or defend, for the government, and all civil actions in which the United States is concerned with.

* The attorney general serves the President and can be removed by the President at any time; the Attorney General is also subject to impeachment by the House of Representatives and the Senate trial in the for treason or a criminal offense.

"We’re joined by top federal and state officials; administration leaders; federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; health care providers; as well as leading physicians, business executives, caregivers, health care anti-fraud organizations, investigators, prosecutors – and even a few students. As we work to address a problem that – quite frankly – has reached crisis proportions, we will continue to rely on your unique insights – and your ongoing engagement."

Eric Holder, speaking at the Detroit Health Care Fraud Prevention Summit

The U.S. attorney general Eric Holder, just recently attended at a Health Care Fraud Prevention Summit at Detroit, where he gave a speech about the fraud in health care in the city in Detroit and across the nation. The attorney general's job is taken very seriously and is determined to everything with his ability to make sure there is jutice and saftey for all citzens. And of course, to punish those who offend or make threats to the U.S. The attorney general thanks everyone or their partnership in our national fight against health care fraud in the Detroit area. He wants to help communities and small towns be aware of fruads, and crimes in those towns, cities, and the nation.

Holder spent the first 12 years of his career prosecuting corruption in the government, and worked as a judge, a U.S. attorney so he knows a little or to about the government and firms and when things go worng. He was selectively picked by Obama, a supporter of Barack Obama’s presidential bid from its inception, was Obama’s choice for the crucial post of attorney general. He has experience, and just like Obama he thrives to make positive and significant changes in our nation.

Department of Justice

Department: Justice Position: Attorney General of the United States Name: Eric H. Holder, Jr. Roles: Advise the President, head of departments, and the United States in legal issues, and occasionally appear in supreme court when needed. "We will keep industry leaders informed about emerging fraud schemes and help institute effective compliance and anti-fraud programs. And we will punish offenders to the fullest extent of the law. That’s a promise." I attended a conference in Detroit recently, speaking on behalf of Health Care fraud. This shows my strong commitment to justice and ensuring the utmost protection to those who are so deserving. I take my job very seriously, hence the promise to protect those and punish offenders.

Arne Duncan, United States Secretary of Education, Department of Education

(1)

Arne Duncan, United States Secretary of Education, Department of Education

(2)
R1: The US Secretary of Education is responsible for discussing policy matters relating to education with the President. This is important because the Secretary of Education (S.e.) acts as as an advisor of sorts to the President.

R2: The Secretary of Education is responsible for proposing policies which will shape American education. This is important because policies such as "no child left behind" could do great things for society if implemented diligently.

R3: The US Secretary of Education also keeps the President informed about issues in the American education system, ranging from dropout rates to the changing demographics of American colleges. This is important because it is important that the president and the est of the exectutive need to be kept in the loop regarding whats going on in american schools and how america's kids (the workers of tommorow) are performing.

R4: One of the most important roles of the Department of Education is in the keeping of statistics pertaining to education, so that this data can be used to assess the state of education in America and to identify areas which need improvement. ED also hosts the Department of Federal Student Aid, which provides financial assistance to college students. This is important because it keeps the President and the rest of the executive in the loop.

(3)
"We have to dramatically improve the quality of education we are providing this country and we can help to continue to reward excellence and encourage at the local level,” Duncan said. This shows that this man has his priorities straight. An educated workforce in this economy is everything.

(4)
"Arne Duncan on the Constitutionality of Education"

Duncan mentions how disadvantaged, poor, and homeless children are an equal part of his responsibilities regarding getting an education. He also answers the question of "how is the federal govt authorized to handle education?" albeit dodgingly (is that a word?)

Housing and Urban Development Department-Shaun Donovan

Housing and Urban Development Department

Shaun Donovan

Shaun Donovan is the Secretary of The Housing and Urban Development ( HUD )Department in the U.S. Cabinet. He leads the department in their mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.

HUD is working to...

• Strengthen the housing market (this is necessary to help cushion the blow that people are feeling due to our terrible economic state and to protect consumers.)

• Meet the need for quality affordable rental homes
  
• Utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life
• Build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination

(the three above missions are needed to help prevent homelessness, foreclosure, and make sure that everyone can have a quality and reasonably priced roof over their heads)

"And at HUD, we recognize it as well. We’re not just a housing agency any more -- we’re putting the “UD” back in HUD, determined to help cities like St. Paul become engines of opportunity by investing in the small businesses that will allow them to prosper."

Donovan believes that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstone of our community. Knowing that they create 2 in ever 3 new jobs in America they need to be protected or else our country will crumble and we can’t compete and innovate in the 21^st century economy if we don’t support the small businesses that will drive that innovation like those in cities like St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Department of Veterans Affairs

Name: Eric Shinseki

Title: United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Official Title: United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Role: To care for American Veterans, by providing health care service, a network of hospitals, education, home loans, pensions and care for veterans with disabilities.

Quote: "We have an obligation to get this right". I am very committed to doing things, and doing them right. I developed this attitude from my years as a General in the US Army

Why everyone should get flu shots

President Barack Obama

Name: Barack Obama

Title: President of the United States

Official Department: Head of the Executive Branch



My Roles Include the following:

Appointment Power:

This allows me to select/ appoint the people I want in offices that will help guide public policy, pass legislation and rule in my party's favor in the Supreme Court.

Power to Convene Congress:

I always give a "state of the union" adress which allows me to explain to congress and the American people, the changes I would like to see in the future.

Power to make treaties:

This power effectively allows me to make treaties, ending wars with foreign nations. However, my power is checked by a 2/3 vote to ratify my treaties by the senate.

Veto Power:

This power allows me to directly affect legislation, rejecting bills that I do not feel will ultimately benefit the United States. Congress can override my veto with a 2/3 vote in each house of congress.

Commander in Chief of the military:

I have the power to declare war, but it must be authorized by congress. Congress can also check my power under the War Powers Act.

The Pardoning Power:
This power gives me the ability to release an individual from the legal consequences of a crime before or after conviction.

Quote:

"America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings."

I said this because I wanted to make it clear that Islam as a religion and Muslim people in general are part of our great nation. Muslim people are not inherently bad as they have often times been portrayed in the media, but instead should enjoy the same rights as any citizen of the United States.

Speech:

Although I have many enumerated powers in the constitution, it is also my role to be a good role model for U.S. citizens. I have tried my best to be involved in college and professional sports in the U.S. This should hopefully allow the people of the U.S. to see me as an actual person and someone they can relate to.