The federal government is a colossal collection of departments, bureaus, agencies, and commissions that employ millions of people and spend more than two trillion dollars a year.  There is hardly an aspect of American life that the federal government doesn't have something to do with.  Frankly, I think the government is too big.

All of those departments, bureaus, agencies, and commissions fall under one of three branches of government: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial.  The legislative branch is run by Congress.  The executive branch is run by the President.  The Judicial branch is run by the Supreme Court. Congress makes laws.  The President implements laws.  The Judiciary makes sure laws are interpreted correctly and punishes people for breaking them.

In theory and in practice, these three branches "check and balance" each other in order to keep any one branch from growing too strong.  Historically, though, power has ebbed and flowed among them.  A century ago, Congress reigned supreme in Washington.  During the Cold War, the President was frequently deferred to.  Today, many people believe the Supreme Court has grown too powerful.
 

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