Government & The Constitution

Ms. Astle

Goals of the ConstitutionTo form a more perfect union.

Establish justice

To insure domestic tranquility—keep peace among the people.

To provide for the common defense.

To promote the general welfare—promote well-being of the people by maintaining order, protecting individual liberties, regulating commerce, etc.

To secure the blessings of liberty

Major Principles of the Constitution

Popular sovereignty—people are the source of the governments power.

Republicans---people elect their political representatives.

Limited Government—the constitution limits the actions of government by specifically listing powers it does and does not have.

Federalism—in this government system, power is divided between national and state governments.

Major Principles of the ConstitutionSeparation of Powers—each of the 3 branches of government has its own responsibilities.

Checks and Balances—each branch of government holds some control over the other 2 branches.

Individual rights—basic liberties and rights of all citizens are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

Checks and Balances

Picture from: Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for KidsPicture from:ThisNation.com American Government & Politics Online

Picture from: Supreme Court of the United States

Executive BranchLegislative Branch

Judicial Branch

Can impeach judges

Can reject appointment of judges

Can declare laws unconstitutional

Can declare acts of the president unconstitutional

Appoints Judges

Can veto legislation

Can override veto Can impeach President

Can reject Presidential appointments and refuse to approve treaties.

Amending the Constitution

Thousands have been proposed sine 1788, but only 27 have actually become part of the Constitution.

An amendment can be proposed by two ways:

By the vote of 2/3 of both houses of Congress.

Be 2/3 of the state legislatures asking for a special convention on the amendment—this has never been used.

Amending the ConstitutionRatification of the amendment requires approval by ¾ of the states.

The Constitution can be ratified by the approval of state legislatures or by special state conventions—voters in each state choose the delegates

to the special conventions.

Introduction Committee Action

Floor Action Enactment Into Law

Most bills begin as similar proposals in the House and Senate

Committee holds hearings, makes changes, and recommends passage.

All bills must go through both the House and Senate before reaching the President.

Bill introduced in House→

Referred to House committee→

House debates and passes its form of bill→

House and Senate members confer and reach a compromise on a single bill↓

Bill introduced in Senate→

Referred to Senate committee→

Senate debates and passes its form of bill→

House and Senate approve Compromise→

President signs the bill into law.President may sign a bill into law or veto it.Congress may override a veto by 2/3 majority vote.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Rights of American CitizensDue process of law

Equal Protection

Basic Freedoms—outlined in 1st amendment and others.

Limits on Rights---rights may be limited to prevent one person’s rights from interfering with the rights of others. The restriction of rights must be reasonable and must apply to everyone equally.

Citizenship ParticipationA citizen is a person who owes loyalty to and is entitled to the protection of a state or nation.

As citizens of the U.S. we are expected to carry out certain duties and responsibilities.

Duties—are things that we are required to do.

Responsibilities—are things we should do.

DutiesObey the law.

Pay Taxes

Defend the nation—all males aged 18 and older must register with the government in case they are needed for military service.

Jury duty.

Duty to serve as a witness at a trial if called to do so.

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities are voluntary and people are not arrested or punished if they do not fulfill these obligations.

Know what government is doing and be involved.

Be informed about your rights.

Vote!!!

Participate in government---local, state, and others.

Respecting other’s rights.

The Three Branches of American Government

Branch Executive Legislative Judicial

Purpose (What) Carries out the laws

Makes the Laws Interprets the laws

Offices (Who) President, Vice President, and

Cabinet members

Senators (100—2 for each state)

and Representatives (435- based on

population)

Supreme Court Justices (9) and

other court officials

Building (Where)

White House U.S. Capitol Supreme Court

Three Branches of GovernmentQualifications

Requirements Term How ChosenPresident and Vice

President--35 years old--Natural born citizen--Lived in the U.S. for 14 years.

--4 year term--May serve 2 terms

--Elected by electoral college

Senator --30 years old--U.S. citizen for 9 years.--Live in state where elected

--6 years --Senate--Elected by the voters of the

state

Representative --25 years old--U.S. citizen for 7 years--Live in state where elected

--2 years --Representatives—Elected by voters of

district

Supreme Court Justices

--None --Life --Appointed by the President and

approved by Senate

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ResourcesTime: Subway Alert (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/todayspick/0,23052,1115418,00.htmlTime: Sitting Down to Stand Up (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/rosa_parks/Time: Power Shift (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/senate/2.htmlTime: Clinton’s Last Days (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/clintonlastdays/tue_5.htmlTime: George W. Bush Becomes President (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/inauguration/Time: Inaugural Moments (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/inaughistory/12.htmlTime: The Election’s Final 48 Hours (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/bushwins/2.htmlNovmeber 22, 1963 and Beyond (2007) at URL:http://redbud.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/kennedy/Oath%20of%20Office/oath.htmTime: Top 10 Underreported Stories (2007) Time, Inc. at URL: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/article/0,30583,1686204_1690170_1692294,00.htmlUnited States Senate (2009) Senate.gov at URL: http://www.senate.gov/Simon Hall BBC TV Rough Justice (1999 & 2007)NJK at URL: http://www.solarnavigator.net/animal_kingdom/humans/simon_hall.htm

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