A New Nation
In 1776, the thirteen weak British colonies in America came together, stood up, and told what was then the world's greatest power that from now on they would be free and independent states. The British were neither impressed nor amused, and a bitter six-year war followed, the Revolutionary War (1776-83). It's hard to appreciate today, over two centuries later, what a revolutionary act this was. A new republic was founded, turning into reality the dreams and ideals of a few political philosophers. Americans broke with an age-old tradition, and so sent shock waves back across the ocean: they decided that it was their right to choose their own form of gov¬ernment. At that time, the statement that governments should receive their powers only "from the consent of the governed" was radical indeed. Something new was under the sun: a system of government, in Lincoln's words, "of the people, by the people, for the people."
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights
The former colonies, now "the United States of America," first operated under an agreement called the Articles of Confederation (1781). It was soon clear that this loose agreement among the states was not working well. The central, federal government was too weak, with too few powers for defense, trade, and taxation. In 1787, therefore, delegates from the states met in Philadelphia. They wanted to revise the Articles, but they did much more than that. They wrote a completely new document, the Constitution, which after much argument, debate, and compromise was finished in the same year and officially adopted by the thirteen states by 1790.
The Constitution, the oldest still in force in the world, sets the basic form of government: three separate branches, each one having powers ("checks and balances") over the others. It specifies the powers and duties of each federal branch of government, with all other powers and duties belonging to the states. The Constitution has been repeatedly amended to meet the changing needs of the nation, but it is still the "supreme law of the land." All governments and governmental groups, federal, state, and local, must operate within its guidelines. The ultimate power under the Constitution is not given to the President (the executive branch), or to the Congress (the legislative branch), or to the Supreme Court (the judicial branch). Nor does it rest, as in many other countries, with a political group or party. It belongs to "We the People," in fact and in spirit.
They stated in the first ten Constitutional 20 Amendments, known together as the Bill of Rights, what they considered to be the fundamental rights of any American. Among these rights are the freedom of religion, speech, and the press, the right of peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government to correct wrongs. Other rights guarded the citizens against unreasonable searches, arrests, and seizures of property, and established a system of justice guaranteeing orderly legal procedures. This included the right of trial by jury, that is, being judged by one's fellow citizens.
The great pride Americans have in their Constitution, their almost religious respect for it, comes from the knowledge that these ideals, freedoms, and rights were not given to them by a small is ruling class. Rather, they are seen as the natural "unalienable" rights of every American, which had been fought for and won. Any government, court, official, or law cannot take them away. The federal and state governments formed under the Constitution, therefore, were designed to serve the people and to carry out their majority wishes (and not the other way around). One thing they did not want their government to do is to rule them. Americans expect their governments to serve them and tend to think of politicians and governmental officials as their servants. This attitude remains very strong among Americans today.
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In my opinion, a dream house is an ideal home. I think any person
I would like to have my own home, about which he may have dreamed all his life. Some people dream of a house for themselves, others - about a home for themselves and their beloved family.
In the future, I want to have a home that will be a fortress for me, my personal shelter and, of course, will suit me in everything. Perhaps it's a cottage or a house near the lake. I think this is a suitable option for me and my future family. Because there is pure air, around nature, and this will allow me to be healthy and happy. Near the house I would like to have a garden,
where there will be many beautiful flowers that are usually pleasing to the eyes. The house of my dream should be comfortable, well-planned and two-story. In front of the house, I want a green lawn, with a small number of flowers.
I want in my dwelling there should be a large kitchen, a dining room, a comfortable living room with a fireplace and large windows on the ground floor. There should also be a training place and a children's room for my future children. I'm certainly not a fan of luxury, but in my house would not be prevented by various modern amenities and high-tech devices. Must be a cooling system, central heating and gas. Still near the house I would like to have a garage in which I would be engaged in music. The children's room should have a lot of soft, fun toys, a bookcase, a training table and a baby bed. In the bedroom - one large bed, a mirror with a high dresser and a wardrobe, and then on trifles.
1)Are your parents sleeping?No,they aren't.They're watching TV. 2)What is doing?She is sleeping. 3)Is he having lunch?No,he isn't.He is speaking on the phone. 4)Look at the window!It's going to the rain. 5)My sister is trying a new dress on. 6)What are you reading? 7)His working at his report. 8)Grandmother is sitting on the chair and listening to the news. 9)Listen!She's playing the piano well. <span>10)Where are they going?They're going to school.</span>
1. It is expected that she will arrive from minute to minute. 2. It seems that the water is boiling. 3. It is reported that the delegation left London. 4. He probably knows her address. 5. It, for certain, about it will ask. 6. They say that she is very beautiful. 7. We saw the car disappear. 8. It seemed that he was losing patience. 9. It seemed he did not hear what was said. 10. It happened that I attend an open lesson. 11. It happened that I overheard their conversation. 12. My prediction was correct. 13. The language of the article was absolutely easy. 14. It seems they know all about it. 15. It seems they heard all about it. 16. It seemed that the discussion was coming to an end. 17. It seems that you do not approve of the idea. 18. It seemed that they did not live in the house for a long time. 19. Heard how he said that he was very busy. 20. It is expected that she will attend the meeting on time. 21. They will probably join us. 22. It is expected that the agreement will be signed on Friday. 23. It is believed that this student is the best in our group. 24. It was reported that many buildings were damaged during a fire. 25. I was warned that I did not believe everything that he said.