Strengths of the Constitution and American Government

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything, I've been rather busy. However, here is last week's paper. Hope you enjoy!

 

Strengths of the Constitution and the American Government

The Constitution of the United States of America was written in 1787, and it is still the basis of our government today. While this document has a number of weak spots, it also has many strengths, and these strong points have helped to keep our country together for over 200 years.

The first area of strength is in leadership. The Constitution allows the citizens to choose their national leaders (such as the President and Vice-President) through the process of elections, in which the people, by voting for the candidate they want, are actually voting for the elector in their state who will vote for that candidate. The electors are chosen by the citizens of each state, and they vote as representatives of the state. The candidate who receives a majority of electoral votes wins the election. The Constitution also allows citizens to vote for the Representatives and Senators who make up the Congressional body.

The Constitution establishes term limits for each office, which prevents one person from holding a position of authority for a long time. There are also limits on the number of terms a person can serve in any particular capacity. The document also restricts the amount of time a person can serve in the government, preventing a person from spending their entire life in office and taking over the country. 

 

The second area of strength in the Constitution is accountability. Congress is required to periodically publish their journal of proceedings (excluding parts that Congressmen think should, for the time being, be kept secret). Bills that are introduced in Congress have to pass both Houses before the bill is passed to the President to be signed. If the President vetos, or refuses to sign, the bill, Congress can override that veto with a 2/3 majority of each House. 

 

If a high-ranking official commits a high crime such as treason, Congress has the authority to bring impeachment charges against said official, and a trial is held. In order for someone to be declared guilty of treason, there have to be at least 2 witnesses who can both prove that the person on trial did indeed commit the crime. If the President is removed from office, the Vice-President will become President, and someone will be elected to fill the vacant office for the remainder of the term. 

 

The government is set up in three separate branches, yet designed so that no one branch can take full control over the country. Anything one branch does has to be agreed to by either one or both other branches before it can take effect. This is called the system of checks and balances.

A final area of strength is freedom. Several Amendments to the Constitution provide for specific freedoms for the people. The First Amendment provides for the freedom of religion and speech, thus preventing the government from dictating what people have to say and believe. It also allows citizens to gather to peacefully protest something that the government is doing. 

 

The Second Amendment gives citizens the freedom to arm themselves as they see fit for the purpose of defending themselves. The Sixth Amendment gives all people, whether or not they are United States citizens, the right to a fair trial whenever they are accused of any crime. 

 

There are many, many strong points in the Constitution. Some are stronger than others, but all have had a part in making our country what it is today.