| Popular Sovereignty | Checks and Balances | Federalism | Limited Power of Government | Separation of Powers |
| In 1988, Americans chose George Bush as President. | Congress approved of President Regan's appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court of the U.S. | Massachusetts must respect the laws for the nation. | The President and all other government officials must obey the law as do all American citizens. | Congress makes laws for the nation. |
| Voters in Virginia elected the first black governor to office in 1989. | The Senate can refuse to approve a treaty that the President has negotiated. | New York State cannot sign a treaty with Canada or any other foreign country. | Congress cannot make a law that violates freedom of speech. | The powers of the national government are distributed among three branches of government. |
| Senator Arlen Specter won the popular vote in 2004. | The President can veto a bill approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate. | The Supreme Court can rule that a California state law is unconstitutional. | The government cannot arrest a person unless that person has violated a law. | The Supreme Court interprets and applies the laws. |
| T. Banks is elected to her second term as the first model president. | At the President’s request, Congress declares war. | State and local governments supervise the public school system. | The government may not take away the right of 18 year olds to vote. | The President is commander in chief of the military. |
