Dance Moms and The Three Branches of Government

1. Explanation:

Separation of powers is a way of government in which the powers are divided amongst different groups or “branches”.

 

2. Connection to the Constitution:

a.) Article 1, section 1 states that all legislative powers belong to the legislative branch. This shows separation of powers because it demonstrates how the congress specialises in making laws and no other branch is allowed to do that.

b.) Article 2, section 1 says that the executive branch is in charge of carrying out the laws made by the legislative branch. This shows separation of powers because it grants the executive branch a specific amount of tasks that they are in charge of over the other branches.

 

3. Connection to Dance Moms:

The show, Dance Moms shows separation of powers because the Abby Lee Dance Company is able to run because each group of people have individual specialties. Abby Lee demonstrates the legislative branch because she makes all the rules for her studio. The moms and their daughters represent the executive branch because they are the ones doing the dancing and carrying out the rules Abby sets out. Lastly, the judges of the competitions show the judicial branch because they make sure everyone is following the rules and calls them out if they are not. 

 

4. Connection to a current event:

Separation of powers was represented in Michigan in November of 2013. A man was charged with reckless driving and a fatality. His lawyer wanted a the judge to lessen his charges and the judge agreed. This is against the constitution but goes with the Michigan state law. The Court of Appeals says that the legislature has no right to tell judges how to run their courts. This shows separation of powers because the legislative and judicial branches are debating about who has the power to decide the way of holding trials

Citation:

"Michigan Supreme Court to Decide Separation of Powers Case." Michigan Radio. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2014.

 

5. Separation of Powers; A blessing or a curse:

After reading this article I think that separation of powers helping more than its hurting. Although decisions are made rarely it is important that we make sure that our laws and decisions benefit as many people as possible. Separation of powers splits up the power so one branch can not make unfair decisions and each branch can specialize in their topic. There is no perfect way to run a government but separation of powers is the best way we have.