Answer:
Pretend that three people who weigh the same take turns on a seesaw. No matter which two people are on the seesaw at opposite ends, they are balanced. Our government is the same way. The three that take turns riding the seesaw are:
Congress - Legislative Branch
President - Executive Branch
Supreme Court - Judicial Branch
How do these branches balance and check each other? Each branch has different powers from another branch. But each weighs the same.
President:
Makes treaties with other nations
Carries out laws
Vetoes bills Congress passes if he thinks they are wrong
Appoints judges in the Judicial Branch for a life term
Writes the budget
Congress:
Makes laws
Can override a President's veto of a bill by 2/3 vote
Can impeach a President for misconduct
Must approve presidential appointments for judges and justices
Gives the O.K. on budget spending and treaties
Can remove judges from office for misconduct
Supreme Court:
Interprets laws
May decide that some laws that Congress makes or decisions that the President make are not right according to the Constitution.
