http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAF9XY5bEKY

These colliding images have set the stage for what is expected to be

a highly contentious Senate confirmation

hearing next month.…. Since the President announced Bork's

nomination six weeks ago, the pro- and anti-Bork juggernauts have

accelerated.www.time.com

Time Magazine, September 26, 1987

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#1-Executive checking Legislative

• Power: President can vetolaws passed by Congress

#2- Legislative checks Executive

• Congress can override a presidential veto with a 2/3 majority vote

#3- Legislative checks Executive

• Congress can impeach the president (charge him with a crime) and remove him from office

#4- Legislative checks Executive

• The Senate ratifies (approves) treaties made by the President

#5- Judicial checks Executive

• Judicial Review- Supreme Court can declare Executive Acts unconstitutional

#6- Judicial checks Legislative

• Judicial Review- Supreme Court can declare laws passed by Congress unconstitutional

(1946) Fred Korematsu arrested for ignoring Executive Order 9066

• Japanese American claims his arrest for refusing to go to detainee camps violated his rights as an American citizen

Japanese_American_Internment_Center.jpg

(1998) President Clinton signs the Kyoto Protocol

• President Clinton signs international climate control treaty to cut down American pollution

• Many Senators fear economic damage in America if we comply with the treaty

(1990) Is flag burning free speech? Eichman claims the “Flag Protection Act” denies him free speech

www.newyorktimes.com

2006- Congress passes bill to fund stem cell research on aborted embryos

• President Bush expresses concern: "It crosses a moral boundary that our decent society needs to respect."

(1936)- Public is outraged at Roosevelt’s veto of bill paying bonus World War I veterans

• Roosevelt claims the bill is unjust to other Americans

• Many in Congress support the popular bill, and claim it will stimulate the economy

(1974) Did President Nixon commit a crime?

• The President claims innocence: “I am not a crook”

• Evidence mounts pointing to Nixon committing obstruction of justice in the White House by thwarting investigation into the Watergate scandal

The system of checks and balances is best illustrated by the power of

1. the President to veto a bill passed by Congress

2. Congress to censure one of its members 3. a governor to send the National Guard to

stop a riot 4. state and Federal gov-ernments to levy and

collect taxes

Which historical event best demonstrates the operation of checks and balances?

1. President George Washington used the Army to suppress a tax rebellion by Pennsylvania farmers

2. South Carolina seceded from the Union over the issues of slavery and States rights.

3. President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent Federal troops to enforce the integration of public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas.

4. The Senate approved the appointment of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.

A system of checks and balances was included in the United States Constitution because the authors were concerned about

1. one branch of government becoming too strong

2. the states having too much power 3. the people having a voice in government 4. the military gaining control of the United

States

Which feature of the unwritten constitution is part of the system of checks and balances?

1. the cabinet 2. judicial review 3. political parties 4. legislative lobbies

Which newspaper headline shows the operation of the system of checks and balances?

1. “Senate Rejects President’s Choice of Supreme Court Justice”

2. “Florida To Gain Two Seats in the United States House of Representatives”

3. “Albany County Receives $4 Million from Congress for Transportation Development”

4. “New York State Rejects Federal Regulations on Drug Testing”