In order to guard against what one of the Founding Fathers called an "excess of democracy," the Constitution was built with many.
ways to limit the government's power. Among these methods were separating the three branches, splitting the legislature so laws.
passed are carefully considered, and requiring members of Congress to .
meet certain criteria to qualify for office.
Separation of power was very effective; The three branches of .
government (executive, legislative, and judicial) are kept separate,.
and each has different powers. Congress has legislative, or law .
making, powers; the President has the power to carry out, or execute, .
the laws; and the Judicial branch had the judging power, used to .
interpret the laws. In addition, each branch is able to restrain or .
balance the powers of the other two branches upon power abuse. If the .
President is suspected of unlawful acts, he can be impeached, or tried .
by the House and Senate for misusing his power. If he is found guilty, .
he can be thrown out of office, unless two thirds of Congress agrees .
with a treaty he proposes. Furthermore, if the President wants to .
spend money, his request must pass through Congress, since it has .
control over spending. Lastly, Congress can re-pass a vetoed bill. .
Congress also has checks and balances against itself. The president .
can veto a bill from Congress, and although Congress can override a .
veto, obtaining a two-thirds vote is very difficult. Public speeches .
by the President may also concern the public with an issue, putting.
pressure on Congress to act upon it. .
The limitations on and difficulties of law passing are very, .
very important. The split legislature creates a more complicated maze.
through which laws must find their way before being passed. First, a .
law must be introduced in either the House of Representatives or the .
Senate, the former having sole power to introduce laws concerning .
revenue. After the law is introduced, it must be approved by the other .
