by Jonathan Frazier

Created on: August 09, 2007

When the founding fathers of the United States set out their plan for how they believe a democracy should work, they were careful to include a provision giving the President veto power. This decision was not made lightly; these men knew what they were doing. The Presidential veto is one of several safeguards outlined in our Constitution to establish within our government a system of "checks and balances." These safeguards prevent any particular branch of government from dominating and overpowering the others, a diffusion of power that prevents any particular entity from having too much power over government affairs.

Congress is the only body with the power to create new laws, but bills passed by Congress must be signed into law by the President. This promotes cooperation between the Executive and Legislative branches, as well as providing a system of oversight that encourages Congress to be responsible in its law making. Without this oversight, which is expressed through the President's veto power, Congressional bills which suggested gratuitous pay raises or blatant and unnecessary pork spending could pass without any opposition. Under such a system, if 51% of Congress agrees to pass legislation, it would become law, despite the fact that 49% was against it. To override the President's veto, Congress is forces to form a super majority of 67%, and this generally requires compromises which result in more moderate legislation.

It is true that in recent times there has been great public sentiment in favor of bringing U.S. troops home from the War in Iraq, and that progress to this end has been blocked on several occasions by the threat or action of Presidential veto. Presidential veto threats have also blocked the passage of legislation for increasing federal funding for stem cell research. These are decisions that may not be very popular at the moment, but if the roles were reversed and Congress were passing controversial and unpopular laws, the veto would be the American people's last line of defense to prevent such bills from becoming law.

It is also important to remember that ultimately Congress does have the last say on what bills do or don't become law. If Congress does not vote to overturn a bill that has been vetoed, they must share in any blame for "not following the will of the people." Or perhaps, the will of the people is not being expressed clearly enough, because obviously there are many Congressman who voted against the bill who believe that is what their constituents wanted them to do. The United States is a democracy, so the will of the people should be expressed, but who is truly at fault when people don't take the time to make their opinions known to their Representatives. Truth be told, whenever a bill is vetoes by the President, it is unlikely that it will be reversed unless the people have definitively made their voices heard on the issue.

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