Within the federal government there are three main branches; “the legislative, the judicial and the executive” (Phaedra Trethan, 2013). They have the same basic shape and the same basic roles were written into the Constitution in 1787. The legislative branch is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, also known together as Congress, it is the only branch that has the power to create new laws. Furthermore, the legislature employs a surprising amount of power. However, members of this branch are likely to be removed if their goals are not acceptable to the people. Furthermore, the legislative branch is considered the branch that is connected to the people. (Phaedra Trethan, 2013) The role of the executive branch is to ensure that laws are implemented and enforced and to aid in the day-to-day responsibilities of the federal government, including "the collection of taxes, the safeguarding of the homeland, and the representation of the political interests and economic issues of the United States in the world” (Phaedra Trethan, 2013). The judicial branch is composed of the United States Supreme Court and the lower federal courts require interpretation of such legislation. (Phaedra Trethan, 2013) (Federal Government, 2003) (Sparknotes, LLC, 2011) (Independence Hall Association, 2008-2012) The Supreme Court and the Federal Court have the same authority as the Constitution system is called checks and balances that prevents the exclusive power of any one of the three branches. Additionally, this power can be divided between the states and the federal government. The role of the federal government in "domestic and foreign affairs and how they have grown" (Fe...... middle of document ...... Retrieved from About.com About the United States Government: http: //usgovinfo.about.com/od/rightsandfreedoms/a/whatisfederalism.htmPhaedra Trethan (2013) Retrieved November 25, 2013, from About.com U.S. Government Information: http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/. usconstitution/a/branches.htmRuch, J. (1999-2013 Differences between civil court and criminal court) Retrieved from eHow discover the expert in you: http://www.ehow.com/list_6533163_differences-civil-court- criminal.court.htmlSparknotes, LLC (2011). Retrieved from Sparknotes.com: http://sparkcharts.sparknotes.com/history/usgovernment/section2.phpCourts of the United States (2013). http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/UnderstandingtheFederalCourts/Jurisdiction/DifferencebetweenFederalAndStateCourts.aspx