Leadership positions in Congress
Congress is the legislative branch of the United States government comprising of two coequal houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The power vested to the Congress falls under the first article of the United States constitution. Congress is composed of hundred senators and four hundred and thirty-five congressmen as per the statute.
Power of the President in comparison to Congress
As per the constitution of the United States, the president is the commander in chief of the armed forces. He has the power to make an appointment in an important office without the consent of congress. The President also signed bills to become laws. The president can veto the legislation presented before him. Congress can overturn the veto of the president. Congress only has the authority to declare war.
Congress has to confirm the nominees of the president for the Supreme Court and his Executive office. The president is fully obligated by this condition to have a positive relationship when it passes his bills and his appointments. It can advise the appointments the president makes. Congress can be dissolved by the president at any time. Congress can impeach the president too. They check each other for excesses to ensure no dominance.
The president’s power in domestic policy compared to foreign
The president has more power in domestic policy as compared to foreign because, under the constitution of the state, it grants the president powers to direct the public sector, which is of domestic implications. The foreign policy is under the attention of the president under very controlled circumstances. The constitution grants the president the power to shape both internal and foreign policies.
The president has full authority over foreign policy. The president negotiates treaties with other states on behave of the country and the treaties come to full effect after they have been given consent by Congress. The Secretary of State and ambassadors are appointed by the president under the consent of Congress, which has the power to regulate trade with other states. The president has the power to make treaties with other states alone.
The Supreme Court’s role in the federal court system
The Supreme Court has the power to overrule the laws that are made by the legislative branch. According to the system set out by the United States Constitution, their representatives are appointed by the minority of the population that elected them, which makes the system to be less democratic.
On the other hand, the Supreme Court acts as a check and balance to control the excesses of the powers of the moment. It is one of the arms of the government that ensures the other arms do not get out of hand. The Supreme Court has been given powers by the constitution to check the executive and legislative branches.
The Supreme Court has the power to check the activity of the President and Congress. It can tell the President, that his actions are unconstitutional, Congress that the law they passed violates the constitution and is no longer a law; it can also tell the government that one of its laws breaks another law in the constitution.
The Court as a policy-making body
The Supreme Court and other courts’ precedents may establish common law, which is legal principles based on judicial decisions. Though not all decisions fall under this category because many interpret or apply existing law. According to the constitution, only Congress makes laws, but the other branches have also been given adequate powers, sometimes similar to making laws. The Supreme Court appeals based on constitutional grounds it can invalidate a law or shape its interpretation to fit circumstances underlying the constitution.
Myths about bureaucracy in the government of the United States
People tend to refer to the government and bureaucracy as being the same. To clarify, we have to understand the roles played by each entity. The government is mainly concerned with the delivery of goods and necessary services to its citizens, while, bureaucracy mainly deals with the set of rules, regulations, and standards which are to be followed in the running of the government activities. Although there is a relationship between the two bodies, each one of them is an independent entity.
As a result of this confusion, several myths have been raised about the government. There is the myth of government waste where the public thinks that the government is misusing public resources. This myth came up due to the increase in public demand for resources that seem not to be equitably distributed to the people. Another myth that was raised, is concerned with government growth. According to this myth, the fiscal growth of the government economy only occurs in programs that favor the few people that are in power and neglect the larger population. The economy is, therefore, seen as growing but it does not support the activities of the majority of the population.
Finally, there is a myth that the United States government should be run as a private entity. People see this form of organization is cost-effective and will ensure that the government supplies cheap goods and services. It will put the government policies and activity under strict scrutiny ensuring that transparency and accountability in adhering to.