U.S. Government System Flashcards
Executive Branch enforces…what? (1 thing)
The executive branch enforces our country’s laws.
Legislative Branch makes…what? (2 things)
The legislative branch makes the laws and sets taxes.
Judicial Branch interprets…what? (1 thing)
The judicial branch interprets the laws, or decides what they mean.
Who leads our country?
Our federal government that leads our country.
Who does the federal government share its power with?
The federal government shares its power with state governments.
The federal government has the power to:
print money
declare war
build the military
make treaties (agreements with foreign countries)
make rules for doing business between the states and foreign nations
create post offices and issue postage
make laws to enforce the Constitution
What does the state government control?
State governments control state laws within each state.
Who is the leader of our state government?
The governor.
Other than our president, who is our state’s commander-in-chief?
The governor is also the commander-in-chief of the state’s military.
Who does our local government lead?
Local governments lead our towns, cities, and counties.
Who can make a difference in our communities?
Citizens can make a difference in their communities.
What are citizens responsible for?
Responsible citizens vote, obey laws, and pay taxes.
Responsible citizens also respect and protect the rights of others.
What two things did our Constitution say we need to respect?
The Constitution says that we need to respect individual rights and freedoms.
Name four things that our Constitutions’ foundation is based on:
justice, fairness, equality, and the common good.
____________ is about making sure that everyone has what they need to be successful
Fairness
___________ means that all people are treated the same, regardless of who they are.
Equality
___________ means that people behave in a way that is fair, equal, and balanced for everyone.
Justice
__________ means that the government is accountable to the law.
Rule of law
Re: Rule of the Law
What are the four important requirements with the rule of law?
- Laws have to be adopted and approved through government processes.
- Laws have to be clear, and everyone needs to know about them.
- Laws are applied equally for all citizens.
- When there are disputes about the law, individuals will have representatives who are neutral to deliver the best outcome.
True or False:
Rule of law means that both citizens and government leaders must obey the same laws.
True
The ________________ is when people think about what is best for everyone.
common good
We can overcome conflict by engaging in ____________ .
civil discourse
______________ helps people work peacefully together and define problems in a kind way.
Civil discourse
Although there are people with different opinions in a debate, civil discourse reminds us to treat others with _______.
respect
_________ or __________, are rights that you are born with.
All citizens are equal regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, culture, or religious beliefs.
Inalienable rights, or natural rights
__________ create equality and ensure that everyone’s rights are protected.
Examples of civil rights include the right to vote, the right to a fair trial, the right to a public education, and the right to use public facilities.
Civil rights
______________ make sure all citizens are able to participate in the political process.
Citizens can participate at the local, state, and national level without government interference. ___________ include rights such as the right to vote, petition, assemble, and run for public office.
Political rights
____________ are financial choices and privileges that individuals may select without government interference.
The right to own property, change employment, operate a business, and join a labor union.
Economic rights
