Government protects life and property, keeps an army and navy for our defense, peace and order, regulates commerce and industry, supports our public schools, keeps the roads and streets in good condition, cares for public health, and many other things we enjoy.
Our courts are maintained by the government where justice may be found.
The laws of our nation are the rules made by the government to guide our actions. They tell us what we are to do, and what we are not to do. We must obey the laws of our country or else be punished. We must study the government of our nation, state, city, town and county, and be ready to do our part in establishing good government, by making proper laws and seeing they are enforced. As far back as 500 B. C. we find in Athens lawmakers, judges and executive officers.
The word government is derived from the Latin word gubernare, which means to guide or "pilot a ship." Good government depends upon the voters, and may our men and women of the United States pilot our ship into a safe harbor.
The United States is both a Democracy and a Republic.
A Democracy is a government by the people in which the will of the people prevails throughout the country. "This is the fundamental principle of American government."
A Republic is a democracy where the people elect representatives to carry on the government.
Constitution.
When the colonies became independent states each state drew up a charter which recognized its people as authority in government. Instead of calling this new instrument a charter they changed the name and called it a "Constitution."
This Constitution is the foundation upon which our government is built. After the thirteen original colonies had established their independence they formed a central government known and expressed in the Constitution of the United States which is our fundamental law.