The fundamental points are that each branch is to be seen as a check and
balance against the others. To become law a legislative proposal must
be approved by both houses of the congress (house and senate) and also
be signed by the president. If the president doesn't like the proposed
law he can veto it. But if the congress has enough votes they can
override the president's veto. Finally, the law can be struck down by
the supreme court *if a case is brought before it* and the court rules
the law unconstitutional.
But it quickly gets more complicated than that. Take, for example, the
recently passed national health care law. The Republicans have declared
their desire to repeal the law. But repealing the law is unlikely since
Obama need only veto the repeal and there probably aren't enough votes
to override the veto. But the congress (unlike the president) is also
entrusted with the power of the purse. Only the congress can actually
authorize the actual expenditure of money. So, while the health care
law may remain on the books, it is an entirely different question than
whether money will actually be allocated to pay for its provisions.
Another form of gridlock which some will praise and others will decry. :-)
Chuck Norcutt
On 11/6/2010 3:23 PM, John Hudson wrote:
> Thank you for the response ... likewise to Messrs Moose and Norton.
>
> I'll read up on the wiki articles.
>
> jh
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chuck Norcutt"<chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "Olympus Camera Discussion"<olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2010 3:51 PM
> Subject: Re: [OM] Reminiscing [was: Re: iPhone et al]
>
>
>> The US government is composed of three branches: The legislative (the
>> congress), the executive (the president, vice president, etc.) and the
>> judicial. The Supreme Court is not itself a branch of government, it's
>> just the ultimate appeals court for a much larger federal judiciary
>> system.
>>
>> Details in this Wiki article
>> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_government_of_the_United_States>
>>
>> Chuck Norcutt
>>
>>
>>
>> On 11/6/2010 2:10 PM, John Hudson wrote:
>>> That's a strange turn of phrase ".....a ......branch of government......"
>>>
>>> Is the US Supreme Court really a branch of government ?
>>>
>>> jh
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Mike Lazzari"<watershed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> To: "1"<olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2010 2:20 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [OM] Reminiscing [was: Re: iPhone et al]
>>>
>>>
>>>>> I don't believe the Constitution would have to be amended though
>>>>> to correct this; the Supreme Court would have to simply reverse the
>>>>> ruling.
>>>>> I won't hold my breath.
>>>> You are correct. However I believe it even less likely than an amendment
>>>> given the current flavor of the court. Historically the court has been
>>>> on the whole a very conservative branch of government with few
>>>> exceptions. At the time of Santa Clara County v Southern Pacific (thanks
>>>> Chuck) it was firmly in the hands of the oligarchs. It is now one member
>>>> away from being back in their hands.
>>>>
>>>> Mike
>>>> --
>>>> _________________________________________________________________
>>>> Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
>>>> Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
>>>> Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
>>>>
>>>
>> --
>> _________________________________________________________________
>> Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
>> Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
>> Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
>>
>
--
_________________________________________________________________
Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
|