Checks and Balances

Our system of government is a trilateral checks and balances structure. The Legislative or Congressional branch writes the laws, the Executive branch enforces the laws, and the Judicial branch rules the laws constitutional. Each branch checks the other two. If the Executive branch fails to enact the laws – put them into operation – either the Legislative or Judicial branches may take action. If Congress fails to produce a budget both the Executive and Judicial branches may step in to solve the problem such a failure to act would produce.

If the political system stymies the Legislative branch from action – legislation frozen in limbo because a required voting level is not attainable – the Executive branch can declare an emergency and enact executive orders that take the place of law. The Judicial branch can be asked to rule on the constitutionality of any action taken by the other two branches to determine if the actions are proper and constitutional.

There are those who feel the Trump administration has declared a phony emergency and produced numerous executive orders to act in the place of Congress. Lawsuits have been filed that will pull in the Judiciary to determine constitutionality of the situation. Thus, the checks and balances continue. In the early days of the second Trump administration, the courts were slow to enter the fray. I doubt that will continue given the spate and speed of lawsuits reaching the docket.

Fundamental governance activities need to be the result of common discussion and agreement of all elected officials. That gets the ball rolling. Working through the rest of the checks and balances need always be orderly or failures will be the result. That is not a good thing for a nation of law and dignity.

Begging the issues is the current temper of the Trump regime. That will not last long. The other two branches of government are not likely to cede their power and privilege. At least one hopes so!

Meanwhile, We The People must ensure lawsuits are filed to engage the courts in their checks and balances.

The rule of law requires a process of law as well to make the entire system function appropriately.

April 11, 2025

 

   

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Intimacy

As we mature, we become deeply involved in relationships. Some of this is basic family relations – siblings, parental – and the like. Next is friends who enter our homes and we theirs. Neighbors, classmates, mutual hobbyists and so forth. Then we develop friendships that go much deeper. We comfort one another when we are hurting physically or emotionally. We discuss the matters of life and learn much more about ourselves and each other. We can even anticipate how others will react to various situations and stimuli. Good friendships do not spread to everyone we know. No, good friendships are special, close and deeply personal. We focus attention and brainpower on these few friends. Some special relationships focus on specific topics of interest and importance. Yes, we have specialized friendships. Most common. But one day, we get to know one person very well. An emotional connection forms with deep roots. A need to know the person more fully expands in personal ways. We sense this b...
Read more

Bits & Pieces

Pie: Apple pie more specifically. With Thanksgiving just passed, many of us enjoyed a good apple pie. Sure, there was pumpkin to accompany the turkey, but in our family multiple pies are offered in the holidays. Apple is surely one. Pecan, pumpkin and others, too. But I almost always choose apple. When I was in college, I was asked what kind of pie did I eat most often. In front of my mom, I answered apple, because I was always looking for a pie as good as mom’s own. Of course my mother was pleased, but it was a true statement just the same. When I was married, Ann’s pie was darned good. Her mother’s recipe. But we fiddled with the recipe until it took on its own generational name, and boy, was it good! Today I still order apple pie for dessert because I am always looking for a great pie to challenge our family recipes. I rarely do find such a prize. Do others do the same? Do you search for a great pie of choice, continually? If you do, what’s your story? Why do you do this? ...
Read more

Remembering Tom Sherlock

Tom Sherlock died on Wednesday, April 3rd. He was 65 years old and did not survive a heart surgery. That was his unexpected end and sad enough. But there is more to his story. Tom joined Dan Schuyler and George Safford to create what became the Village Chronicles, a weekly newspaper serving Warrenville, Illinois. That paper expanded to serve Winfield and then West Chicago. The paper published for eight years and built a good reputation for itself. Tom served the paper in several ways. He was our information technology guru, provided hardware and software to support the paper's operations. He was our sole bookkeeper, accountant and financial manager. He designed our distribution process and provided office space for meetings and layout and typesetting. His efforts supported the work of 32 volunteers who wrote and reported on the communities we served.  The newspaper broke even financially most of the time, but it was a struggle. Tom managed to find money to keep the newspaper afloat...
Read more