The American system of government

The governmental system in the US.- federal state country and local are quite easy to understand,that is,if you grew up with them and studied them in school. One foreign expert complained,for example that the complexity of just the cities political and governmental structure is “almost unbelievable. The “real Chicago,” he explained spreads over 2 states, 6 countries, 10 towns, 30cities, 49 townships and 110 villages. Overlaid upon this complex pattern are 235 tax districts and more than 400 school districts.

There are, however,several basic principles which are found at all levels of American Government.One of these is the “ One person,one vote” principle which says that legislators are elected from geographical districts directly by the voters. Under this principle,all election districts must have about the same number of residents. Another fundamental principle of American government it that because of the system of cheeks and balances,compromise in politics is a matter of necessity, not choice. For ex., the House of Representatives controls spending and finance, so the President must have its agreement for his proposals and programme. He cannot declare war, either,without the approval of congress. In foreign affairs, he is also strongly limited. Any treaty must first be approved by the senate.If there is no approval,there is no treaty.The rule is the president proposes, but Congress disposes.What a President wants to do, therefore, is often a different thing from what a President is able to do.

CONGRESS LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, is made up at the Senate and The House of Representatives. There are 100 senators,two from each state.One third of the senators are elected every two years for six-year terms at office. The senators represent all of the people in a state and their interests.

The House has 435 members. They are elected every two years for two-year terms. They represent the population of “Congressional districts” into each state is divided. The number of Representatives from each state is based upon its population. For instance,California,the state with the largest population,has 45 Representatives,while Delware has one. There is no limit to the number of terms a senator or a Representative may serve.

Almost all election in the United States follow the “winner-take-all” principle:the candidate who wins the largest number at votes in a congressional district is the winner.

Congress makes all laws and each House of congress has the power to introduce legislation.Each can also vote against legislation passed by the other. Because legislation only becomes law if both houses agree, compromise between them is necessary. Congress decides upon taxes how much money is spent. In addition, it regulates commerce among the states & with foreign countries.It also sets rules for the naturalization of foreign citizens.

The US congress,the lawmaking arm of the federal government consists of two houses: The House of Representatives& The Senate. Any congressman in either house,or the president,may initiate new legislation.

The Proposed legislation,or bill, is first introduced in the House of Representatives, then referred to one at the standing committees, which organizes hearings on it and may approve, amend the draft. If the committee passes the bill,it’s considered by the House of Representatives as a whole. It passed there. It goes to the Senate for a similar sequence of committee hearings and general debate.

In cases of disagreement, the House of Representatives and the Senate confer together. Once passed by the senate as a whole, the bill has to be examined by two more standing committees –The Committee on House Administration and The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and is then signed by the speaker at the House and by the President. Finally it must be signed by the president, who has the right to veto it.If the president vetoes a bill, it can still become a law-but only if it’s passed by a two –third majority of both houses of Congress.