The concept of checks and balances is that of a dream that has existed since the Roman Empire: a fair government, where all are treated as equal, and one in which no branch has more power or control than the other. The United States Constitution has satisfied that dream: the creation of the three separate branches of government; a system of checks and balances. Checks and balances are a fundamental key to this country and one of the driving reasons for its success.

A prominent example of checks and balances in use is the Roe v. Wade case. The fact that a citizen of the United States of America has the ability to raise questions on the legality of a law, challenge that law in court, and eventually have the Supreme Court take a look at it is amazing. This is the image of freedom and of a government that is for the people, by the people working in full force. Without checks and balances, the Judiciary would not have been able to overturn laws they deemed unconstitutional that were set at the Federal and State levels.

These powers are not limited to the Judiciary ruling on the viability of laws in a mere constitutional sense; rather, these powers extend to the Executive and Legislative branches with equal vigor and capacity in their respective avenues of government.

If the President doesn't agree with a bill that Congress has sent to be signed into law, he has the right to veto that bill, thus sending the bill back to Congress for revision or a re-vote. If Congress doesn't agree with the veto, they can overrule it with a two-thirds majority.

Checks and balances finally divide up powers among the three branches of the government. The Supreme Court cannot make a declaration of war on an opposing country. The President cannot rule on a law's constitutional basis or on the legality of a court's ruling. Congress cannot make the determination whether or not to enter into negotiations with rogue countries, or to send troops in for a temporary time.

Historically, checks and balances have proven to ensure the success and well being of America. A good example of this is the Vietnam War. Imagine, if you will, that the President had the complete ability to manage the purse. If this had been the case, there would have been no way to fullfill the desires of the majority of the population and end the controversial war. Fortunately, the President does not currently nor will he ever have the ability to create and sign a budget into law. The Congress of the United States was able to cut funding for this war, in essence forcing the Executive branch's hand and bringing a cessation to the war.

In essence, checks and balances ensure that for the resounding majority of the time, the will of the people is heard and their collective rights are upheld.

Learn more about this author, Elliott Hall.
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