Directions: A responsible citizen
of the United States understands how the constitutional principle of checks and
balances protects the three branches of government. You will develop a
presentation or write an essay about the effectiveness of the system of checks
and balances related during a particular administration, congress/legislature,
or court. You must:
·
State
a position that evaluates whether the system of checks and balances worked during
a particular Administration, Court, or Congress/Legislature by evaluating
whether it prevented one branch from exercising too much power.
· Provide background on
your position by describing the Administration, Court, or Congress/Legislature.
· Provide background on
your position by explaining how one
branch checked or could have checked another during this time with two or more
examples.
Provide
reason (s) for your position that include:
· An evaluation of whether one branch increased its power
during this
Administration, Court, or Congress/Legislature relative to another
with two or more examples to support your position.
Make
explicit references within the paper or presentation to three or more credible sources
that provide relevant information AND cite sources within the essay.
1.
INTRODUCTION
a) Explain Checks and Balances- why
is it important?
b) Background information of your
selected Administration, Court, or Congress/Legislature
c)
State your position (Thesis Statement) – Did checks and balances work during this
Administration, Court, or Congress/Legislature? (one to two sentences)
·
2.
EXAMPLE
#1 (SUPPORTING YOUR POSITION)
3.
EXAMPLE
#2 (SUPPORTING YOUR POSITION)
4.
CONCLUSION
President Barack Obama Resources
President George W. Bush Resources
Was Checks and Balances Effective
During the Obama Administration?
The system
of Checks and Balances is a unique feature of the system of checks and balances
to help ensure that no one branch became too powerful. Each branch has powers
that it can use to check and balance the operations and power of the other two
branches. The Legislative branch is responsible for creating and passing laws
that all American citizens must follow. They also have the ability to check the
Executive Branch by approving Presidential appointments. The Executive Branch
is responsible for executing laws that were established by the Legislative
Branch. The Executive Branch has the ability to check the Legislative branch by
vetoing legislation passed by Congress. The Judicial Branch is responsible
interpreting the laws and determining if actions are constitutional. The
Judicial branch has the ability to check Congress by declaring whether
legislation is constitutional or not.
Barack
Obama was elected as the 44th president of the United Stated in 2008
and took office after his inauguration in 2009. Obama’s election was historic
and unprecedented, as he became the first African-American president of the
United States. Obama campaigned and preached the message of having “hope and
change” for all American citizens and wished for both the Democratic and
Republican politicians to work together. Obama was elected as the United States
faced a multitude of problems. America was still in two grueling wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan with no end in sight. The federal government maintained a
trillion dollar deficit and could not afford to pay its own bills. Also, the
U.S economy was in a recession and the unemployment rate increased rapidly. During
Obama’s tenure through 2008- present he has accomplished many of his signature
goals. Obama ended the costly war in Iraq, authorized the assassination of
Osama bin Laden, and passed the Stimulus Package to save the American economy. Although
it was a difficult process, Congress passed Obama’s most important initiative
called The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). This ensured that all Americans
have access to health insurance. However, he was
unable to collaborate with Congress on many initiatives. “Throughout President
Obama’s first two years in office, Senate Republicans waged war on his
judiciary nominees — allowing only a handful of them to be confirmed. (Senate Confirmed
A Smaller Percentage Of Obama’s Judges Than Any Other President In History) This lack of collaboration has the Obama to take
action on his own and pursue action without Congress.
With that said, the principle of Checks and Balances has
been ineffective during the Obama Administration. Obama’s airstrikes against
Syria without the approval Congress and executive orders to fix the immigration
system demonstrate how Checks and Balances do not work.
