Government Foundations Federal and State

What is the purpose of a constitution? rule of law gives constitutional governments a structure which outlines the rights and responsibilities/limitations of the government to its citizens and citizens to the government. It distributes power into three branches to separate the powers It provides each branch with limited power over another, check and balances the power to govern

3 branches Legislative – make laws Executive – enforce Judicial - interpret

What is the basic structure of the state Constitution? Preamble Articles Bill of Rights are in the first article of the state constitution Amendments (*note that in the U.S. Constitution the Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments)

Where does our government get its power? (Declaration of Independence) The “consent of the govern” ‘We the people’ allow our government to create laws to keep the peace, i.e. election of representatives to all three branches. Sovereignty

“Supreme Law of the Land & settle legal disputes Separation of Power To prevent a national government from becoming a dictatorship, the framers of the Constitution laid out a plan for shared powers. The National government would be divided into three branches, all based on the voters. Both the leaders of the Legislative Branch and the Executive Branch would be voted on by the people, and the leaders of the Judicial Branch would be selected by the Executive & Legislative Branch. U. S. Constitution “Supreme Law of the Land Legislative Branch To make laws Executive Branch To carry out, enforce, & administer the laws Judicial Branch To interpret the laws & settle legal disputes

Checks and Balances To further balance the power, each of the three branches can check the powers of the others Executive Branch Confirm appointments Impeach, override veto Determines if laws Are constitutional Appoints vacancies Power to veto Impeach, propose amendments Legislative Branch Judicial Branch Interpret laws, determine if they are constitutional

What are your rights and responsibilities as citizens? Serve on a jury What is that? Trial court Grand jury Vote Age? Other requirements?

Defend the nation against all enemies Register with the Selective Service Board Pay taxes to fund the services government provides. Up hold the laws

Is there a pledge of allegiance to the GA flag? The three column structure = three branches The arch over the columns = the Georgia Constitution which unifies the columns Each column has the drape, the state motto on each column Wisdom, Justice, Moderation

I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands: Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation.