Looking back to the year of 1787, James Madison put into place a bureaucratic system made to protect the rights of the people. This was the American application of checks and balances, which focused on limiting the ability of the branches of government to overpower one another. The Constitution applied and defined this system in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, granting the powers of creating, enforcing, and applying laws. By assigning different abilities to these branches, the separation of power is ensured and acts as a safeguard for the public’s freedoms.
OTHER WINNERS: Division II | Division III
An article regarding the modern use of checks and balances states, “The Separation of Powers and the System of Checks and Balances was intended to promote the politics of bargaining, compromise, and playing one body against the other. What the current Congress doesn’t seem to get is the necessity for bargaining and compromise. Without that, the result is gridlock.”
This causes federal systems to come to a standstill, and results in fears of impending government shutdowns. From an array of political problems, gridlock prevents branches from acting on matters that are the responsibility of the federal government. Due to political standoffs that ensue as each branch of government defies the other, there should be changes within the system, starting at its very foundation, the Constitution.
A change to the Constitution could be to add a fourth branch with the sole purpose to mediate and maintain the efficiency of the government. Being a nonpartisan branch, it would focus on solving problems between parties and systems. With this neutral division, the system in place continues on, while the push to maintain a honest and productive government is established.
This “Mediative” branch would’ve handled the 2018 government shutdown by working to solve the problem at hand instead of blaming others for the failure that was collectively made. To ensure a quick compromise, unlike the slow result that actually occurred, they could’ve worked with the Republican Party to allow changes to the DREAM Act, which would’ve prevented the Democratic filibuster from ensuing. The focus would shift back to the need for legislation to fund government operations, instead of fixating on another political party predicament. If branches were to persist in their stubbornness, the Meditative branch would promote impeachments of uncooperative members. If politicians act for their personal gain, they will be removed from their position for failing to serve the people.
Another change to the Constitution that would prevent government corruption and promote efficiency would be to set term limits. Politicians would focus more on making a positive impact during their limited time in office and work towards the betterment of America. If politicians still followed the path of corruption, there would be penalties and laws set in place to prosecute offenders. Justice for the American people, who have been let down by inadequate governing for too long, would be served and together we could make strives to put America on the path of greatness.
First Published May 13, 2018, 1:15 p.m.
