The
United States Today

The Constitution of
the United States, written more than 200 years ago,
established the US as a federal republic. Federal means
that power is shared between a national government and the state
governments, and in a republic, the people vote for leaders to
represent them and to guard their rights.

The
writers of the US Constitution separated the federal government’
power among three branches — the executive, the
legislative and the judicial.

The executive branch
is headed by the President and includes executive departments and
independent agencies. As chief executive, the President enforces
federal laws, commands the armed forces, and conducts foreign
affairs. The people elect the President to a four-year term
through the electoral college, but no President can serve more than
two terms.

The
legislative branch is represented by the Congress, which is made
up of two houses — the House of Representatives and the
Senate. It also includes various agencies. The legislative branch
makes the laws of the nation. Its powers include raising money
through taxes, regulating trade between states, and declaring war.

The number of
representatives each state sends to the House of Representatives
depends on the population of the state. Однако, regardless of
its size or population, each state sends just two senators to
Congress.

The
judicial branch of the United States is a system of courts. The
highest court in the land is the Supreme Court of the United States.
The nine justices of the Supreme Court interpret the Constitution and
hear cases that involve federal laws.

In addition to these
specific powers, each branch of government has powers that check or
balance the powers of the other two branches. For example, the
President can veto bills from Congress and appoint the justices of
the Supreme Court. Congress can override presidential and vetoes
organize the federal courts. And the Supreme Court can declare
executive orders and laws unconstitutional. This system of checks and
balances prevents any branch from becoming too powerful.

Each
of the 50 states can exercise powers given to the states —
or not denied them by the Constitution. Each state has its own
constitution, with an executive branch (headed by a governor),
a legislative branch (headed by a state legislature), and
a judicial branch (headed by a state supreme court).

Some
of the powers exercised by the states include the maintenance of
law and order, administration of health and welfare services, and the
regulation of business. The states also have the major
responsibility for public education.

Government
plays a major role in the US economy. Federal, state, and
local governments employ about a fifth of all workers and buy
a fifth of all the goods and services produces in the US. The
federal government spends part of its budget on social security
benefits for American people, and both federal and state
governments provide medical and welfare aid for the elderly and
for the needy.