(to ss) US politics.docVIP

US politics Outline US constitution II. US government National flag of the USA National Anthem National Emblem Great Seal Federal(national), state and local governments III. Executive branch President IV. Legislative branch The Congress V. Judicial branch Courts VI. Parties VII. Presidential election in the USA US constitution The Basics Basically, the Constitution is the highest law in the United States. All other laws come from the Constitution in some way. The Constitution also provides a framework for the government of the United States. It creates things like the Presidency, the Congress, and the Supreme Court. Each state has its own constitution that is the highest law for the state - but even then, the United States Constitution is higher. Over time, some things have been added to the Constitution. Called amendments, these add-ons list some of the rights of the people. By listing these rights, they are made special, and it is illegal for the government to violate those rights. As of 2006, there are 27 amendments to the Constitution. Not all of them involve rights, but many do. The first ten amendments, in particular, have the special name of the Bill of Rights. History in brief The Constitution was written in 1787 and came into effect two years later. The master copies are stored at the National Archives ()in Washington D.C. Checks and balances One of the most obvious characteristics in the Constitution is “checks and balances”. The Constitution sets up a government consisting of three branches. Each branch has powers that the others do not have and each branch has a way of counteracting and limiting any wrongful action by other branches. This can guard against the possibility that one person or group might become too powerful to seize control of the country and create a tyranny. The Constitution sets up three main branches of government. These are called the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judiciary. The Bill of Rights We already talked abo