Constitution Assignment Part A

The Preamble:

In order to have a better form of unity, we as citizens of the United States have to create fairness, guarantee a peaceful homeland, give public protection, urge overall well being, and secure freedoms for ourselves and our future.



Powers and Responsibilities of the Legislative Branch:

• Congress is separated into the Senate and the House of Representatives
• House of Representatives and Senate is elected by the people
• They have to meet annually
• Congress can establish an army, create courts, declare war, and control trade between the states, establish tax and spend the money raised by taxes
• In charge of regulating bankruptcy and immigration issues
• Controls the value of money?
• CONTROLS THE MONEY GOVERNMENT SPENDS
• Can impeach officers in the other branches that abuse their positions.

Powers and Responsibilities of the Executive Branch:

• President is elected by the electoral college (one vote for each member of congress
• The president can pardon criminals, controls military, make treaties, is able to pick many members of the government (with Senate approval)
• responsible for executing laws that Congress passes

Powers and Responsibilities of the Judicial Branch:

• Everyone is entitled to a trial by jury (except in a case of impeachment)
• Jurisdiction over cases involving foreign conflicts and conflicts between states

While reading and taking notes on the Constitution, i felt somewhat surprised and confused. I was surprised by how much power the Congress really has. It seemed like they posses most of the power when it comes to running the country (money, military, laws that we as citizens follow etc.). I was confused while reading mainly because of the language, something that sounded so complicated was actually very simple. I was also confused because it doesn't seem like our culture is based off of this document. I do see a lot of where it may relate to our culture, but there are also some parts where I feel that I never knew that. i;m pretty sure that many people in America also may not be familiar with these facts, or the Constitution in general. I don't know why this makes me feel confused about the Constitution, or makes me feel like the constitution is somewhat bullshit.

Questions and Insights on the Preamble and the 3 Articles:

1. Are there other countries that follow something similar to the Constitution?
2. Why does the Congress have so much power, when the president is the one "running" the country? Why can't the Congress potentially run it by them selves
3. Why is the idea of change put on the president so much, when the Congress has so much of the power?
4. Do we really need a Constitution to run our country?
5. Is the preamble relevant to America today?