Our system of checks and balances is designed to protect the citizenry from an overly powerful government.

Our system of checks and balances is designed to protect the citizenry from an overly powerful government. You can see this in Figure 2.2: “Checks and Balances,” in We the People. But nowhere in this graphic is any reference to the people (the voting public), even though our democracy is described as a government by the people. Write a 2-page essay describing how/where the people should fit into the checks and balances model. For example, should the people have the right to vote on legislation? To impeach the president? To vote on federal court appointees? Be creative but realistic (no outlandish suggestions, please!). You can also write about why it’s important for the people to be part of the checks and balances system, how popular sovereignty factors in, ways the people can currently be active in governmental affairs and ideas as to how to increase participation.