# data[].attributes.body
Congress; the Senate and House of Representatives.

It makes laws - a bill.

# data[].attributes.body
Congress can set/collect taxes, borrow money, regulate trade, coin money.
Congress must set up postal service and issue patents/copyrights.
War must be authorized by congress.
Write laws.

# data[].attributes.body
The President, Vice President and the Cabinet.

It carries out laws made by the legislature branch.

# data[].attributes.body
Enforce laws; commander in chief of armed forces, authority to make treaties, appoint supreme court judges; appoint ambassadors, declare wars; veto bills from Congress.

# data[].attributes.body
Supreme Court (9 judges).

It interprets the laws and settles disputes. They need to make sure the laws support the constitution.

# data[].attributes.body
Interprets the constitution and other laws; reviews lower courts decisions or make sure the are being constitutional.

# data[].attributes.body
A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power.
One cannot be as more powerful than the other.

# data[].attributes.body
Determines how Congress meant the law to apply to disputes.

Determines which laws Congress intended to apply to any given case.

# data[].attributes.body
Declares who the President is.

Determines if actions are unconstitutional.

Determines if branch is enforcing laws properly.

# data[].attributes.body
Approves judicial appointments

Creates lower courts;

May impeach judges

# data[].attributes.body
Approves presidential nominations.

Controls budget.

Can pass laws over the President's veto.

Can impeach the President.

# data[].attributes.body
Can veto or sign laws.

Call congress into special session.

Enforce laws.

# data[].attributes.body
Appoint Judges.

Pardoning.

Enforce court orders.

# data[].attributes.body
Freedom of religion, petition, speech, press, and assembly.

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the Press

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

The first amendment is one I believe that is important because it practices the rights of the citizens.

# data[].attributes.body
(1) No Self-Incrimination
(2) No Double Jeopardy
(3) "due process of law" (fair treatment)

Amendment 5 - Protection of Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

The fifth amendment is an amendment I also believe is important because it protects the citizens from having our rights abused by the government.

# data[].attributes.body
A law professor from University of Texas, Sanford Levinson, spoke in the CQ article how the Constitution is out of date and there needs to be change.

As I quote from the text, "Among other changes, Levinson would

enlarge the Senate to give bigger states more   senators,   replace   the   Electoral College with direct popular election of the president and limit the lifetime tenure of Supreme Court justices."

# data[].attributes.body
A professor at Georgetown Law School in Washington also has his own views as well for amending the Constitution.

As I quote from the text, "...including limiting Congress’ powers under the Commerce Clause more in   keeping with what he regards as the provision’s true meaning."