These days, the American President is one of the most powerful men in the world. He can make war, or peace. He can touch the lives of millions in many different countries, but the President cannot do just what he wants. The Congress must agree first.
In some ways, the United States is like fifty small countries and not one large one. Every state has its own governor, its own police, and its own laws. For example, in some states you can buy an alcoholic drink when you are 18. In others, you must wait until you are 21.
The government of the whole country (the 'federal' government) works from Washington, the capital city. This is where Congress is based. Congress has two parts, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. There are 100 members of the Senate (called Senators), two from each state. The President cannot act without the Senate's agreement. The House of Representatives has 435 members. Like the senators, they can make new laws.
Americans choose a new President every four years. The election is a great occasion. It is serious business, of course, but the Americans make sure that it is fun too.
時至今日，美國總統是世界上最有權勢的人物之一。他能發動戰爭，也可帶來和平；他能觸及諸多國家的幾百萬條性命，不過他也不可隨心所欲。總統要做的事要事先得到國會的批准。
在某些方面，美國像是五十個小國而不是一個統一的大國。各州均有自己的州長、自己的警察和法律。比如，在有些州，年滿十八歲可以買酒精飲料，但在其他州，要等到二十一歲纔行。
整個國家的政府（聯邦政府）辦公地點在首都華盛頓，國會也在此。國會由兩部分組成：參議院和衆議院。參議院有一百名成員（稱爲參議員），每州兩名。未經參議院同意總統不能採取任何行動。衆議院有四百三十五名衆議員。和參議員一樣，他們可制定新法。
美國總統每四年選舉一次。總統選舉是個重要事件。它當然是很嚴肅的，不過美國人也會讓其充滿樂趣。