The American Political System

The American Political System
The USA is a Federal Union of 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
The Federal Government resides in Washington D.C. The government is based on the
Constitution, a document written in 1787. It was signed by representatives of the 13 original
states, and since 1789 twenty-six Amendments have been added to it.
The USA is a republic. This means that its citizens elect the officials who govern them.
The power is divided between the States and the federal government.
The powers of federal government:
- to make peace or war,
- to print money,
- to regulate trades between states.
The powers of the States:
- to control education,
- to control marriage and divorce,
- to control elections.
The powers shared by federal government and the States:
- to pass tax laws,
- to borrow money,
- to build roads,
- to try lawbreakers.
The most recognised symbol of government is the Capitol. The Capitol, in Washington D.C.,
is where Congress meets to write the laws of the American nation.
There are two chambers – the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Senate has 100 members, two from each state. A senator must be thirty years of age, a
resident of the state, and have been a citizen of the USA for nine years. The majority of
Senators are elected for six-year terms.
The House of Representatives has 435 members elected for two years. A representative must
be twenty-five years of age, a resident of the state, and have been a citizen of the USA for at
least seven years.
There are two major political parties in the USA, the Democrats and the Republicans.
Every four years, Americans participate in the election of the nation’s President.
The first President of the USA was George Washington, called ‘The Father of the Country’.
He officially took control of the nation’s government in 1789.
Barack Obama is the 44th President, and the first who is an Afro-American.
Vobulary The American Political System
Vocabulary
add – dodać
amandment - poprawka
chamber – komnata, tu: izba Kongresu
citizen – obywatel
federal union – związek federalny
govern – rządzić
government – rząd
law – prawo
lawbreakers – łamiący prawo
majority – większość
participate – brać udział
power – moc, tu: uprawnienie
representative – przedstawiciel
reside – rezydować, urzędować
share – dzielić coś z kimś
signed – podpisany
tax law – prawo podatkowe
term- kadencja
trade – handel