When the Constitution was written in 1787, there were only 13 states. Because the drafters of the Constitution saw that the future might bring a need for changes, they provided a method of adding amendments. Over the years 26 amendments have been added, but the basic document has not changed. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, called the Bill of Rights, assure individual rights and freedoms.

Added in 1791, they include provisions for freedom of speech, of the press; the right of citizens to meet peacefully; the right to be secure in one’s own home against unreasonable searches and seizure of person or property; and the right of any person charged with breaking the law to have a speedy trial by a jury of fellow citizens.

Constitution gives Congress authority to make laws necessary for the common defense and good of the nation. The Federal government deals with national problems and international relation and with regional problems which involve more than one state. The Laws adopted provide social welfare, public works, economic control and protection of the rights and labour.

the United States Congress

The state governments follow much thy same pattern as the Federal government. Each has a Governor as a chief executive, with power divided among the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. State governments manage such affairs as: maintaining order

educating children and young adults

building highways.

American President

The President of the USA is chosen in a national election for a four-year term of office, and may be re-elected for a second term. He must be a native-born citizen at least 35 years old. His salary is 200,000$ a year and he also gets an extra 50,000$ for expenses; but he must pay income tax on the whole amount. He receives up to 100,000$ tax-free for travel and 20,000$ for official entertainment, and he is provided a home and extensive office space at the White House.

the White House

As Head of the Executive Branch, the President must carry out the government programs enacted into law by Congress. He recommends programs and laws to Congress and requests money for federal government operations. If a President “vetoes” or refuses to sign a bill passed by the Congress, his veto may be overruled by a two-thirds votes of both Houses of Congress.

The President appoints federal judges, ambassadors and hundred of government officials, and assigns duties to the elected Vice President. If a President dies, resigns or becomes permanently disabled, the Vice-president assumes the office until the next election.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Under the US Constitution a sitting President may be removed from office before his term expires only by an impeachment process. That begins with the House of Representatives. If upon sufficient evidence, the House drafts a “bill of impeachment” which must be approved by two-thirds of its members. Trial in the Senate, with the Chief Justice of the UNITED States acting as the judge and the Senators as the Jury, follows. Only one American President has ever been impeached – Andrew Johnson – who was tried and acquitted in 1868 (for the dismissal of his secretary of war Edwin Stanton).

But in 1974 there was a historic confrontation arising out of the “Watergate” affair, which centered on illegal campaign contributions and involved top-level administration officials, including President Richard Nixon. Before the trial could take place, however, President Nixon resigned his office, and Gerald R. Ford, tan Vice President, succeeded him. President Richard Nixon