I remember being told that "Checks and Balances" keep our Govt. safe...

[ck4829]

From any threats from people in the Government who may want to take it over.

There's just one problem:

Do Checks and Balances work if 2 of the 3 branches are controlled by like-minded people?

Let's say that RW Republicans have both the Congress and the Presidency. What will Checks and Balances do to protect us then? Oh wait, that's happening right now.

[MADem]

1. Now it's all checks for cronies and overdrawn balances, sadly n/t

[DJ MEW]

2. I thought they had all 3 branches

Fighting Aliot is all about prevent them from having absolute power of the supreme court.

[ck4829]

3. Yes, I forgot about that. Come January, the govt. will be the RW's toy.

[Lerkfish]

4. you're wrong in your count: its three out of three...don't forget

they've been padding federal judgeships on all levels, not just the supreme court.

[Ready4Change]

7. What of the Press? The Fourth Estate?

While not an offical branch of the government, a free Press has long been considered essential to it's proper functioning. Through it, the populace is supposed to be well informed about the deeds (or misdeeds) of their representatives.

[Lerkfish]

9. good point. okay, four out of four...until recently when the wheels

started coming off the bus

[OnionPatch]

5. Oh, you must have learned that

from some leftist civics professor!!! Disregard, disregard......

[unblock]

6. a government is only as good as its people

if you put corrupt people in charge of government, you get a corrupt government, regardless of the structure.


in truth, the checks and balances ARE working -- imagine how much WORSE it would be if the bushies really could do ANYTHING they wanted without having to worry about congress or the courts!

[Land Shark]

8. On top of that, some are "going nuclear" on checks and balances

like the filibuster, and the ability of the public or the parties to observe the counting of our votes (now made impossible by federal funding of electronic voting machines through the Help America Vote Act --we need help??). Cia wants (or at least cheney wants) unchecked power to torture, the list can go on...