An Overview of American Government

By: Benjamin Engleman

Our founding fathers of the constitution, known as "the framers" were influenced by other documents concerning American freedom.

People must follow all laws, and those laws are enforced equally to everybody, regardless of who they are.

The people decide how the government should work.

People have the right to fair and reasonable laws, and officials must treat everybody the same, making no exceptions on laws or regulations.

Government's power is limited somehow, by a consitution, agreement, et-cetera.

It is important that people can rest assured that their rights cannot be violated by the government.

When all citizens vote on everything. Citizens could lose interest and not vote truthfully, on the other hand, everybody gets their say in all issues.

Rule by a god or higher power. Usually is ruled by religous leaders.

Rule by few. Usually obtained by military power.

Rule by none.

Rights that can't be taken away.

You are allowed to search for joy and contentment.

Rights that people are born with.

Permission of those under the government's rule.

Powers that are fair to everybody.

Something that can be seen if you so much as look at it.

The Legislature's job is to make laws, impose taxes, raise an army, and, keep the president in check. The Legislative branch also makes the various courts of the United States, and grants the power to do so to the states.

Two chambers of congress.

The house of representatives proposes a law, votes on it, and if it passes their vote, they send it to the senate.

The Senate votes on laws that have already passed the house of representatives, and if it passes, they send it to the president, who either vetoes it, or passes it. The house and senate must gather a 2/3 vote to override a presidential veto.

Only one chamber of congress.

The reason that Nebraska adopted the unicameral legislature is that it is more efficient, you can get more done, but you sacrafice the safeguard that comes with a bicameral.

The Judicial branch is made up of all of the courts of the United States. Their job is to interpret laws, and to make sure that the Legislative and Executive branches are playing fairly, so to speak, anyway.

The Executive branch's duties are to enforce laws, handle foreign affairs, and to protect our country, both internally, and externally.

The President views laws that have gone through both the house and the Senate. He can either pass or veto a law. If he decides to pass it, he can delegate it with his cabinet, to see if it is desireable, and lastly, the law must be reviewed by the supreme court to see if it is constitutional. The President can also take an action called a "pocket veto" which is when he/she doesn't take action. They just ignore it until congress dismisses it.

Members of the cabinet are specialists that concentrate on certain areas (i.e. Health and Human Services, Dept. of Defence, et-cetera) but are not necessary.

Makes laws

Carries out laws

Interprets laws

Legislative branch has 2 houses,(or is bi-cameral) and the votes would be based on population, so the bigger states would have mor power.

The New Jersey plan proposed a 1 house congress,( or uni-cameral) and wanted to have one vote per state, and this way, the smaller states would have more power.

Our founding fathers compromised on a bi-cameral system where each state got two senators, and the number of people in the house of representatives were based upon population.

Laws passed by congress are superior to those passed by state.The constitution can be ammended if two-thirds of congress, and three-fourths of the states agree on the change.

Each state must treat citizens of other states the same as it treats it's own citizens. ( if I travel to Maryland, I must follow their laws while I am in their state)

Government must be limited to ensure liberty, justice, and freedom to all people.

A constitution is "a rule book for a country's government". A constitution tells how laws are made, sets rules for government, and lists the rights and resposibilities of citizens.

This means that nobody is superior to the law.

Power is divided.For example: the government of the United States of America is bicameral, or having two legislative chambers, so the legislative, or law making power of the United States is divided into two parts.

Citizens must agree to the actions of the government, to a certain degree, anyway.

Equal rights to all people.(citizens)

To make a new coin, the legislative branch must:1.listen to the president's idea for the coin2.create a design, and vote to approve it3. sends a bill to the president to pass4.If the president vetoes, possibly override the veto