Lexi’s Op-Ed 2

Alexcia Scheinman 

Checks and Balances 

Corner stone, Choreographed, Constant remains of American democracy. In other words, an accurate describition of the format and system of checks and balances. 

Checks and balances is deep rooted, mostly out of fear of concentrated power. 

Checks and balances revolves around three branches of government, those being legislative, executive, and judicial. In hopes to prevent any one of them becoming more powerful than the other. 

Checks and balances is a structure of the U.S government, the main main purpose being and should be protecting citizens rights and liberties. Each branch of government has certain factors that contribute to protecting and controlled right. 

The legislative branch has the power to impeach, remove the current president in office of federal judges, pass certain laws, override presidential vetos, and control the budget. The executive branch has the power to veto laws passed by congress, appoint federal judges, and negotiate treaties. The judicial branch has the power to declare laws or presidential actions unconstitutional, ensuring that they align with the constitution. 

There are three forms of government that all serve a different purpose, this can be portrayed as powerful and beautiful, but also redundant. Every branch serves a crucial and highly necessary act, all resulting in a different outcome, still all equally as important.

Through checks and balances we see more than history and past effects, we see the ability to compromise and gain a sense of collaboration. Bridgew.edu states “the checks and balances system does not make for quick or complete public policy, but is rather a means of slowing the process of government decision making, so that the result is based on compromises and consensus cooperation” This system isn’t one that is built off of quick decision making, it is a system of slowing down decision making, making room for reason and understanding amongst multiple people. Public policy is guaranteed and so are multiple perspectives. 

There are many perspectives that navigate why some people believe that the checks and balances system should be restructured, but on the other side of the coin, remain the same. On paper, the definition of checks and balances is being represented and continues to reveal its true meaning, however there is always a negative if the opportunity to diver deeper was presented. 

We go through our everyday life, not realizing how much the system of checks and balances truly affects us. We can thank this system for health- care education and environmental regulations, thus without it we wouldn’t feel so stable and comfortable within these two things. Health- care education and environmental regulations, two things that would have a negative effect on us if we lacked education about it. The Constitutional Unit Blog states “implementing checks and balances in healthcare organizations helps reduce mistakes and ensures that the best practices are followed. These things prevent errors and manage risk at a correct and efficient way” These strategies are helping us as a society have accountability, acceptable, and transparency. 

There is negative circulation around checks and balances, two main points being, people think it prevents any single branch from dominating, lacking understanding from people about what is really going into the process. Some  people say it increases influence of special interests, causing the system to be to slow. Bill of Rights Institutes states “the American system of checks and balances is intentionally slow to prevent any one branch of government from becoming to powerful, promoting deliberation and compromise over hasty action, how this built-in friction can cause significant slow downs, sometimes leading to grid lock, especially during periods of intense political polarization” Slow downs are an understanding concern because slow downs are most of the time something greater, such as opportunities, wasted resources, and a back track in economic growth. 

Congressional oversight is at high risk of being a problem. Congressional oversight needs to be managed because it results in the ability to oversee the executive branch through increased resources. This further results in the discourage to take risks and innovation within the executive branch. Congress.gov states “today, congressional oversight can occur in virtually any legislative activity and through a wide variety of channels, organizations, and structures. These activities range from formal committee hearing to informal member or staff contact with  in virtually any legislative activity and through a wide variety of channels, organizations, and structures.” Wide spread allows to keep a close watch on the executive branch. 

The written definition of the system revolving around checks and balances has been hit spot on, provided by the three branches of government. There are perspectives that leave people feeling satisfied or just the opposite, but overall checks and balances teaches how to collaborate, foster transparency, and remain feeling protected.