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Life in the USA is a complete guide to American life for immigrants and Americans. All materials on this siteCopyright © Elliot Essman 2007. All rights reserved. Home Back Next
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Life in the USA Government and Law Structure of Government
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Balance of Power
The American system must be distinguished from the parliamentary system common in many other countries. The President is elected directly by the people, as are the senators and representatives. The Supreme court is independent of the other two branches. As a result, frequently the President is from one political party while the majority of one or both houses of Congress is from the opposing party. The Supreme Court may disagree with either or both other branches on any particular issue.
So how does anything get done? With a lot of controversy, and a lot of
compromise. The system was designed to provide "checks and balances" so that any one
branch of the government could not hold too much power. The Congress can frustrate the
programs of the President, while the President has the power to veto laws the Congress passes
(though the Congress can override a presidential veto with a vote of two-thirds of its
membership). The system worked especially well when, in 1973 and 1974, the Congressional
"Watergate" investigation successfully halted President Richard Nixon's abuse of power.
Nixon was forced to resign.
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