Although our government is complex, this is a quick and basic outline of the principles.  Checks, balances and the freedom we enjoy are cornerstones to this system.

The founding fathers created a balance of power for the three entities of our United States government.  All powers not exclusively granted to the federal government were granted to the states.  The country consists of 50 states that prevail or yield together.  We are a union of states that have granted oversight to three distinct branches of the federal government.

The Legislative, the Executive and the Judicial branches of our federal government each have duties and functions that maintain balance and insure that no single branch supersedes or amasses special powers above the other two which could destroy our national union and national freedom.

The Legislative branch of our government is identified as the Congress.  The Congress consists of two branches; the House of Representatives and the Senate.  The House of Representatives is based upon representation by population within each state which can and does result in many representatives from some states.  The Senate is made up of two representatives from each state for a total of one hundred senators.    The legislators’ primary function is to write, deliberate and pass bills that best represent the interest of the people.   The Legislative branch is also authorized to approve the making of money, approve taxes on money, borrow against money and declare war.

The Executive branch of our government is headed by a President.  The President is voted into office along with a Vice President to insure that the laws are followed.  The President is also the head of our country’s military systems and approves bills making them law as directed by the Senate.  His choices in approval can be overridden if needed by the Congress, thus limiting his powers by checks and balances.  The founding fathers were afraid the powers of one person or group might defeat the purity of our nation and thereby established term limits to the Executive branch.

The Judicial branch of our government is made up of nine justices who are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate.  Appointments to this branch are for life unless willfully or forcibly removed.  The Judicial branch is called the Supreme Court and identifies the meaning of laws, their application and the constitutionality of each law. 

Although, each branch has taken on other duties and functions, this summary lists the simplest of powers allocated to each branch of our government.  Under a republic, we are endowed with three branches that work to keep the wholesomeness of the freedoms bequeathed by our founding fathers.