Checks and Balances in Government

10-23-2025

Checks and Balances in Government

After the Constitution was written, signed and then ratified by the Thirteen Colonies the balance of power was divided into three separate Branches of Government: The Legislative (Congress: Senate & House), The Executive (President) and The Judicial (Supreme Court).

Over the past 249 years there have modifications, changes and amendments to the Constitution. What remains unchanged is the separation between the three branches of government. The Legislative Branch writes bills and passes in the House and Senate, the Executive Branch signs into law, and the Judicial Branch insures there is no violation of the Constitution.

The Legislative Branch has been primarily a “good old boys and girls club” where arguing the merits and demerits of each piece of legislation usually leads to compromise before being passed in each chamber.

The Executive Branch holder in our lifetime has almost always come out of the Legislative Branch. This has led to everyone knowing how the “process” works and how bills are made into law. The Judicial Branch hears cases where the letter and intent of the law is measured by the Constitution.

President Ronald Reagan ascended to the office not from the Legislature, but from the governorship of California. Reagan ruffled congressional feathers but held firm to his campaign promises and to what he felt was best for America.

President Donald Trump ascended to the office from the private sector as a successful New York business tycoon. Trump ruffled congressional feathers such has never been seen before, so much that a non-medical diagnosis called “Trump Derangement Syndrome” became so prevalent across the political landscape of America that it has lasted for the past nine years.

President Joe Biden sought to “stack the court” by expanding the number of seats and filling them with political favorites to insure his policies would endure. That idea didn’t see the light of day during his term.

State legislatures have sought to redistrict counties in favor of their political persuasion, but have repeatedly been thwarted when coming before the Supreme Court, if they are based on racial biases,

Many falsely claim that the United States is a Democracy or a Constitutional-Democracy, neither of which are true. The US is a Constitutional-Republic and thus the three branches of government.

Others claim that President Trump sees himself as “King” or “Dictator” and call him an Oligarch and even “Hitler”. Those claims are untrue as well. Trump has refuted these claims, saying “I work hard for the American people because I love the United States”.

If one has ever lived or visited a nation with a Monarch or a Oligarch or even a Dictator it’s not hard to see that simply breathing discord or discontent with the government or the leader is met with swift “justice”.

Never once have I heard President Trump refer to himself as “King”. However, If Trump was King he could call a national emergency, enact Marshal Law, suspend the Constitution, the Legislature and the Judicial and use the full force of American military to curb dissention, prosecute, try, sentence and imprison or execute capital punishment on EVERYONE who dissents against him or his policies.

Elected Officials are sworn to protect and defend the Constitution and to insure the safety and welfare of the American people, not their political party stance or wishes. American voters must use good judgment BEFORE casting their votes on Election Day. Elections have consequences. – RTM