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The United States is a federal union of 50 states, with the District of Columbia
as the seat of the federal government. The Constitution outlines the structure
of the national government and specifies its powers and activities, and defines
the relationship between the national government and individual state
governments. Power is shared between the national and state (local) governments.
Within each state are counties, townships, cities and villages, each of which
has its own elective government. Governmental power and functions in the
United States rest in three branches of government: the legislative, judicial,
and executive. Article 1 of the Constitution defines the legislative branch and
vests power to legislate in the Congress of the United States. The executive
powers of the President are defined in Article 2. Article 3 places judicial
power in the hands of one Supreme Court and inferior courts as Congress sees
necessary to establish. In this system of a "separation of powers" each branch
operates independently of the others, however, there are built in "checks and
balances" to prevent a concentration of power in any one branch and to protect
the rights and liberties of citizens. For example, the President can veto bills
approved by Congress and the President nominates individuals to serve in the
Federal judiciary; the Supreme Court can declare a law enacted by Congress or an
action by the President unconstitutional; and Congress can impeach the President
and Federal court justices and judges.
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