Essay - Constitutional Authority the Constitution of the United States is the...

Constitutional Authority

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the nation. Completed on September 17, 1787, it was adopted by the ********** Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and later ratified ***** special conventions in each of the original thirteen states (United). The Constitution created a federal union of sovereign states, and a federal government to operate that ***** (*****). Replacing ***** less defined union ***** had existed under the Articles of Confederation, it *****ok effect in 1789 and has served as a model for const*****utions ***** many o*****r nations around the world (United). Although the ***** ***** been amended several times through ***** years, its b*****ic principles are the same as *****y were in ***** (*****).

***** three branches of the U.S. government are executive, legislative, and judicial, which are separate and distinct from each o*****r (United). The powers of each are in theory balanced and checked by the ***** of the other two, thus ***** branch serves ***** a check on potential excesses of the *****s (*****). This is referred to as separation ***** powers, and w***** partly based on the ideas of the Bar***** de Montesquieu (United). Federal ***** nature, the powers enumerated in the Constitution are given to ***** Federal Government, and all other unenumerated powers remain with the states or the people (*****).

Courts have interpreted ***** phrase "supreme ***** of the land" to mean that when laws, including state constitutions, that have been passed by state legislatures or by the U.S. Congress are found to conflict ***** the ***** constitution, *****n these laws are "ultra vires" and ***** no ***** (United). During the last two hundred years, decisions by the Supreme Court have repeatedly confirmed and streng*****ned the doctrine of Constitutional supremacy or ***** supremacy clause (United). The Constitution guarantees the legitimacy of the state by invoking ***** electorate (United). The citizens of the U.S. exercise authority through state actors that ***** both elected ***** appointed, some of these positions are provided for in the Constitution (*****). If they wish, state ***** can change the fundamental law ***** amend*****g the Constitution or by drafting a new one (United).

The Constitution and the laws passed according to its provisions and treaties entered into by ***** president and approved by the Senate, stands above all ***** laws, ***** acts, and regulations (United).

Article One establishes the legislative ***** of government, U.S. Congress, ***** includes ***** House of Representatives ***** the Senate, and establishes ***** manner of election ***** qualifications ***** members of each ***** (United). Moreover, it outlines legislative procedure and indicates the powers of the legislative branch and establishes limits on federal and state legislative power.

Article Two describes ***** executive branch, ***** the *****s for the selecti***** of ***** president, qualification for *****fice, the oath to be affirmed, the powers ***** duties of the office, and procedures for selection (United). It provides ***** the office of Vice President ***** specifies that ***** Vice ***** succeeds to the presidency if the President is