Preamble

ESTABLISH JUSTICE Create a system of laws that are fair and equal and a system to dispense justice (Courts)

ENSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY Provide for a system of laws that will ensure peace inside America. Laws for the public good and law enforcement

PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE Create a Military for the country that is led by the President.

PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE Allow citizens the opportunity to choose leaders and create a system to replace leadership----Voting at all levels of government

SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY To ensure freedom not only for the present generation but also for all generations to come.

Federalist 51 [T]he great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department, consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others. The provision for defence must in this, as in all other cases, be made commensurate to the danger of attack. Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions. ([1788] n.d., 337)

U.S. Constitution James Madison said, “ If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” government would be necessary.”

Meaning… Perfect people do not need rules. People are not perfect, therefore people need rules Without rules there would be anarchy or complete chaos.(lawlessness)

Constitution--- A plan for government Federal system--- Levels of government One National government 50 state governments Many local governments

Republic--- A representative Democracy We elect our leaders We elect our leaders

Separation of powers National government has three parts Legislative branch (Law-makers) Legislative branch (Law-makers) Executive branch (law-enforcers) Executive branch (law-enforcers) Judicial branch (law-interpreters or explainers) Judicial branch (law-interpreters or explainers)

Legislative Branch Dick Durbin Randy HultgrenMark Kirk House of RepresentativesU.S. Senate U.S. Senate

Executive Branch Our President Barack Obama Our Vice President Joe Biden

Judicial Branch U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice is… Chief Justice is… John Roberts John Roberts

Congress= House + Senate = Law-makers The Great Compromise--- Establishes a House of Representatives and a Senate Authored by Roger Sherman of Connecticut House members chosen by state population Determined by a census ( counting of the people ) Determined by a census ( counting of the people ) Senate members chosen equally from each state (2)

Congressional elections Elections are set in the House at every 2 years Senate elections are set at 6 year intervals Approximately1/3 of Senators are up for election each two years Approximately1/3 of Senators are up for election each two years CONFUSED? CONFUSED? The first Tuesday after the First Monday in November is election day in even numbered years.(mainly)

Vocabulary Impeach--- Bring an official to trial for misconduct The Congress is the only group with impeachment power House impeaches ( accuses ) House impeaches ( accuses ) Senate as a Jury Senate as a Jury Bill Clinton-- impeached Richard Nixon—Almost impeached Andrew Johnson-- impeached

CONGRESS Differences House 435 members 435 members Represented by state population Represented by state population 2 yr. term 2 yr. term Power to impeach Power to impeach Reps. Must be Reps. Must be Age 25 or older 7 yr. citizen Senate 100 members Represented equally by state (2) 6 yr. term Jury in impeachment Senators must be Age 30 or older 9 yr. citizen

CONGRESS Shared powers 1. Make Laws 2. Tax 3. Declare war 4. Live in the state you represent