Changes

Federal officials generally have more power than state officials.  The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which is in Article VI (see p. 328), says that federal law is supreme.  You are not likely to hear about a state police officer arresting an FBI agent, because he is a federal officer.

Federal officials generally have more power than state officials.  The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which is in Article VI (see p. 328), says that federal law is supreme.  You are not likely to hear about a state police officer arresting an FBI agent, because he is a federal officer.

About 15 years ago in Wayne, New Jersey, the FBI arrested the mayor.  They didn’t even bother telling the local police, who thought he had been kidnaped.  Not only do the federal and state government fail to communicate with each other, they often fight each other for control.

About 15 years ago in Wayne, New Jersey, the FBI arrested the mayor.  They didn’t even bother telling the local police, who thought he had been kidnapped.  Not only do the federal and state government fail to communicate with each other, they often fight each other for control.

But sometimes local officials have more power than federal officials.  The superintendent for a public school district often makes more money than the Congressman or Senator, and has more influence too.  And if you ever receive a traffic ticket, I guarantee you will care more about the municipal judge than the president.

But sometimes local officials have more power than federal officials.  The superintendent for a public school district often makes more money than the Congressman or Senator, and has more influence too.  And if you ever receive a traffic ticket, I guarantee you will care more about the municipal judge than the president.

Contrary to what you may hear today, our Founders did not like pure democracies.  They worried about tyranny by the uninformed masses.  They wanted a select group of people making our laws.

Contrary to what you may hear today, our Founders did not like pure democracies.  They worried about tyranny by the uninformed masses.  They wanted a select group of people making our laws.

An example is our electoral college.  Al Gore won more votes than [[George Bush]], but Bush won more votes in the electoral college.  Our president is not chosen directly by the people.  It is chosen by the [[Electoral College]].  Another example is the original procedure for choosing U.S. Senators.  State legislators selected them, not the general public.  (This was changed by the 17th Amendment in 1913 - see textbook p. 334)

An example is our electoral college.  Al Gore won more votes than [[George Bush]], but Bush won more votes in the electoral college.  Our president is not chosen directly by the people.  He is chosen by the [[Electoral College]].  Another example is the original procedure for choosing U.S. Senators.  State legislators selected them, not the general public.  (This was changed by the 17th Amendment in 1913 - see textbook p. 334)

The Constitution limits the power of the national government in several ways:

The Constitution limits the power of the national government in several ways: