SS8CG1: Rights, Responsibilities, and Powers of GA Citizens

    The checks and balances system is an easy concept to grasp and understand. It pretty much prevents one branch of our government from becoming to powerful. Ways to prevent this power grab include Governor's vetoes (the ability of a Gov. to reject a bill), Senate confirming Governor appointments (this way the Governor doesn't go around and appoint who ever he wants), and the Supreme Court declaring laws or bills unconstitutional (to make laws fair to all).


Checks and Balances.

    Separation of powers is similar, but overall is meant to divide the powers and responsibilities up between the branches. Simply put, only the legislative branch can make laws, only the executive branch can enforce them, and only the judicial can judge the constitutionality of laws. A famous quote by Andrew Jackson said, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it!". This was said to show that the Judge can not do anything to enforce the decision of Worcester v. Georgia (see the SS8H5 blog) because the separation of powers prevents the judge from doing so.
    As guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and Georgia Constitution, every US citizen has the right to vote in primaries and general elections which are held in November. As you most likely know, though, is that you must be 18 in order to do so. A thing to think about is that voting is not only a right, but a responsibility of citizens (voluntarily, of course). This helps to ensure that as many people vote as possible, and that the candidates are elected fairly.

A responsible citizen voting.

    Currently in Georgia, we have a two-party system, although not long ago we were predominately a state headed by Democrats. The two main parties are Republicans and Democrats, and the political parties nominate presidential candidates. Most people vote for either one of these, but there is other parties as well as independents.

Unofficial Democratic party symbol.

Republican party symbol.

Fun Facts:

Ellis Arnall was the Governor who made the voting age in Georgia 18, stating that if 18 year olds can fight and die for America, then they should be able to vote.

Sonny Perdue became the first Republican Governor of Georgia since the Reconstruction era.