The Constitution

The Constitution

The Constitution is

• the backbone of our government

• the Supreme Law of the land

We the People

The first words of the Constitution are “We the people”. They establish the principle of Popular Sovereignty.   This means the government’s power is given to it by the people.

Limited Government & Rule of Law

Limited government is another principle.  It means that the government is not all powerful and only has the powers given to it by the people. 

Rule of Law is the basic idea that we have a government of laws, not a government by man or by arbitrary rule (king or dictator). No one person, and no government, is above the law. 

Separation of Powers

The US Government is divided into three separate but equal branches of government, the principle of separation of powers.

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Legislature writes the laws

Executive enforces the laws

Judicial interprets the laws

Checks and Balances

Each branch has separate functions.  But each branch can also exercise checks on the other branches to keep one branch from becoming too powerful.  This is the principle of checks and balances.

Executive checks and balances

President can:

veto any law passed by Congress,

The Judicial can declare a law or executive action unconstitutional (Judicial Review)

Congress can override the President’s veto with a super majority 

Executive Checks and Balances

• Has the authority to call Congress in to Special Session

• Is the Commander-in-Chief of the Military

• Can Veto bills passed by Congress

• Can Grant reprieves and pardons

• Appoints Judges to fill vacancies on the court

Legislative checks and balances

• Approves Presidential appointments, Judges, and ratifies treaties

• Can override Presidential vetos

• Has the authority to impeach the President, Judges, other civil Officers

• Controls appropriations

• Declares War

Judicial checks and balances

• Interpret Laws and Executive Orders to determine is they are constitutional. This is the principle of Judicial Review

• Serve for Life

Federalism

Another principle in the constitution is Federalism. This means that power is divided between the State Governments and the Central Government. All power that is not granted to the Central Government is left to the States.  

This builds upon the Natural Rights established in the Declaration of Independence. They come from God or Nature and cannot be taken away by man or government.