Constitution sets checks, balances on our government

Our American government is often compared to a tree with three branches. The trunk of the tree is our Constitution. The roots of the tree are the American people. The first branch (Article 1) is the legislative branch, The House of Representatives and the Senate. The second branch (Article 2) is the executive branch, the president and vice president. The third branch is the judicial branch (Article 3), the United States Supreme Court and all the federal courts.

Our Constitution is written in such a way that the three branches need to work together, performing as guardrails, so that no single branch has all the power. This system of checks and balances has worked very well for much of our history.

Unfortunately, in recent times, neither Congress nor the Judicial branch have been an effective check on the executive branch. The executive branch has steadily increased its power.

There is one guardrail the executive branch cannot ignore, the economy. The American people will most often “vote their pocketbook”. When Congress, the courts and the President fail to represent the American people it is oftentimes the economy that provides the most effective guardrail. When prices increase dramatically (inflation) the people react. If tariffs lead to a trade war that increases the cost of food, cars and housing the politicians who imposed the tariffs will be held accountable. Similarly, if large numbers of the workers who harvest our food and build our homes are removed inflation will increase. Congress, the courts and the president will hopefully do what’s best for the American people. If they don’t and inflation continues, the American people will elect new leaders next year in 2026. “It’s the Economy, Stupid!”

STEVE JOHNSON

Sagle