How efficiently do checks and balances work today?

Do you think the idea of checks and balances in the US gov't still functions today as it was intended?

• one branch of government watches over and complements the others... legislative, judicial, and executive in full working order if not full agreement... is it still true today? ...show more

• Answer:

  The idea of checks and balances is just as good as most other theories. In theory it works perfectly. In reality not so well. Part of the system of checks and balances that's rarely discussed is the people. We have the ability to determine who is elected and to vote for new leaders when those in office have gone against our wishes (term limits without term limit legislation) and we have the ability to strike down laws as a member of a jury when called and to investigate anything when serving as a member of a Grand Jury (however, very few citizens know or do this). Since 1913, the central banking system of the United States - which controls our nation's monetary and economic policies in reality - has been a privately owned corporation. The Federal Reserve is neither Federal nor does it have any Reserves. Our entire currency system is inflationary because it's not back by anything but faith in the currency. Since neither Congress, nor the Executive branch (in reality) controls the Fed (their terms are for 14 years) and their paychecks come directly from the owners of the Federal Reserve the system of checks and balances, while it sounds good in theory, hasn't worked in reality for about 92 years.