Manic Monday - Trinity

Mo assigned variations on the word "Branch". I could do branches on the family tree, but that goes into the next genealogy article. I could do "Bourbon and Branch" but I'll save that for the Kentucky Derby. There is my bank branch but I'm mad at them. They insist on my having money before I'm allowed to spend it. Politics seems to be heavily in the news, so let's go with the branches of government.

By virtue of the Constitution of the United States, the powers of our federal government are divided into three separate and equal branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. They each have special responsibilities concerning laws and the principles that govern our nation. No one branch is to dominate the others.

The protection provided by the three branches prevents a dictatorship from developing. For this reason, the American public will often place the executive branch in the hands of one political party and the legislative branch in the hands of another while the Supreme court moves much more slowly left or right because of the life long appointments. Too often we forget that this delicate balance between the branches is what prevents this country from falling apart. When one of the branches becomes too overloaded, the whole tree can crack.

In 1945 there was a wonderful documentary and song that won the Oscar. Despite the fact that the ten minute short it was from is very dated and colored by the attitudes of the WW II era, the message it delivers is not dated. Plus listening to Frank Sinatra sing both a love song and the title song is hardly punishment if you want to click on the link. The House I Live In



Legislative Branch

Congress: Senate (100 members) and the House of Representatives (435 members)

Makes Laws
Creates and passes bills (proposed laws)
Approves appointments and treaties made by the President
Sets and collects taxes
Coins money
Makes rules for trade between states
Declares war

Executive Branch

The President, Vice President, 14 Cabinet members (heads of 14 executive departments)

Carries Out (Executes) Laws
Signs into law or vetoes (rejects) bills passed by Congress
Commands the armed forces
Appoints judges, ambassadors, and other federal officials
Makes treaties with other countries
Receives diplomats from other countries
Represents the U.S. at special ceremonies

Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court (9 justices) and the Lower federal courts

Interprets Laws
Can decide if a law is constitutional
Can decide if a Presidential action is constitutional
Reviews court cases related to the Constitution and federal laws
Reviews cases tried in lower courts