1. Seven Principles of the United States Constitution

2. Poor Ruth Feels She Can’t Like Insects
RRR F SC L I

3. The people are in charge – show this by voting for or against laws
Popular Sovereignty
The people are in charge – show this by voting for or against laws

4. Example: schools have bond elections to approve raising school taxes in order to build more schools or buy more technology

5. R=
Republicanism
People vote for representatives to speak for us and make decisions for our government

6. Example: House of Reps, Senate, Texas House of Reps, Texas Senate

7. F=
Federalism
The sharing of power between the national (Washington, D.C.) and state governments (Austin, TX)

8. There are 3 types of powers:

9. Delegated powers - given only to the national government by the constitution
Power to declare war
Power to coin money

10. Power to establish schools
Reserved powers – powers only the state have
Power to establish schools
Power to build roads

11. Concurrent powers are powers shared by the national and state governments
Power to tax
Power to make laws

12. The government is divided into three branches
Separation of Powers
The government is divided into three branches
Judicial
Legislative
Executive

13. All federal courts including the Supreme Court, interpret the laws
Judicial branch:
All federal courts including the Supreme Court, interpret the laws

14. The President and his Cabinet – enforce the laws
Executive branch:
The President and his Cabinet – enforce the laws

15. Legislative branch:
The two parts of Congress – the House of Representatives and the Senate – make the laws

16. No branch has more power than the other two
Checks and Balances
No branch has more power than the other two

17. Congress makes a law
President can sign or veto it
Supreme court can call law unconstitutional (unfair)

18. Everyone must obey the same laws
Limited Government
Everyone must obey the same laws
Yes, we can! 
I still have to pay my taxes?

19. Personal liberties and privileges
Individual Rights
Personal liberties and privileges

20. The Bill of Rights protects the individual rights of citizens.