Seven Principles of the United States Constitution

Seven Principles of the United States Constitution

Poor Ruth Feels She Can’t Like Insects

PRRRFSC

LI

RR

P=

Popular Sovereignty

The people are in charge – show this by voting for or against laws

Example: schools have bond elections to approve raising school taxes in order to build more schools or buy more technology

R=

Republicanism

People vote for representatives to speak for us and make decisions for our government

Example: House of Reps, Senate, Texas House of Reps, Texas Senate

F=

Federalism

The sharing of power between the national (Washington, D.C.) and state governments (Austin, TX)

There are 3 types of powers:

Delegated powers - given only to the national government by the constitution

Power to coin money

Power to declare war

Reserved powers – powers only the state have

Power to establish schools

Power to build roads

Concurrent powers are powers shared by the national and state governments

Power to make laws

Power to tax

S =

Separation of Powers

The government is divided into three branches

Judicial

ExecutiveLegislative

Judicial branch:

All federal courts including the Supreme Court, interpret the laws

Executive branch:

The President and his Cabinet – enforce the laws

Legislative branch:

The two parts of Congress – the House of Representatives and

the Senate – make the laws

C=

Checks and Balances

No branch has more power than the other two

Congress makes a law

President can sign or veto it

Supreme court can call law unconstitutional (unfair)

L =

Limited Government

Everyone must obey the same laws

I still have to pay my taxes? Yes, we can!

I =

Individual Rights

Personal liberties and privileges

The Bill of Rights protects the individual rights of citizens.