The United States of AmericaFounded under the concept of a Republic (a government without a monarch, whose elected representatives are accountable to the governed), the founding fathers some 235 years ago declared its independence and found a new nation that claims its sovereignty and rejects any alliance with the British monarch. This of course sparked the Revolutionary War in April 1775 which lasted until September 1783. I am amazed that 38 men and later others could come together in a time of war and develop rules of government that would create the greatest (not perfect) nation to the world. modern times. These men knew how excessive most of the world's governments had become, and they intended to prevent that from happening in this new nation. Thus the Constitution of the United States of America and later the Bill of Right became the fundamental document for governing this nation. The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government and provides each with its own set of powers, responsibilities, and checks and balances between each branch in hopes of maintaining a balance of power. Throughout our history these balances have been tested by situations and circumstances up until the days following September 11, 2001. Looking at the legislative branch, the founder gave the country two chambers each with different tasks and authorities and each with different means determining representation. . The House of Representatives is made up of members whose numbers are based on current census statistics and are divided into one representative for every thirty thousand voters. So, as a state's population grows, the number of congressmen/congresswomen for that state also increases. Th...... middle of paper ......nt. Congress holds the power of the purse, impeachment, and the power to make laws. The President through his veto power holds a check and balance over Congress and Congress has override power over the President's veto, but can rarely muster the power to override most vetoes (76 vetoes and 7 overrides). Who then has more power? In my opinion it is the President who holds most of the cards. Has veto power or the right to veto. He has the ear of the electorate with access to the media that dwarfs everyone else. Sets the social agenda and controls budgetary priorities. He can make treaties, appoint federal judges including those of the Supreme Court and is the commander in chief of the armed forces. He can also issue executive orders that can have a significant social or economic impact, as we saw in the Gulf debacle.