The 2016 presidential election is quickly approaching and voters will be burdened with the decision of who they want to run this country for the next four years... or will they? While it is true that the President is the head of our great nation and gets a myriad of snazzy titles like "Chief Executive", "Chief Diplomat", "Commander in Chief", and, my personal favorite, "Mr./ Madam President". These titles seem to carry a great deal of importance and power; the question that voters must ask themselves is: How much influence does the president of the United States really have? Are we giving them too much credit with assuming they have the ability to singlehandedly turn our country around and make all of the less-than desirable aspects of our country disappear? Will we be able to get our country out of the grave debt we have accumulated thus far merely by checking a box on a ballot? Is the president merely a spokesman for others who are working behind the scenes?

Well, I suppose it depends how you look at our government.

Some have a particular dream for what they want their government to look like.

Others have faith in our three branch government (Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch) and appreciate that the president, through incredibly important, is only the Executive Branch. The other two branches, Legislative and Judicial Branches are other equally important offices that, through checks and balances, allow our country to function as close to a democracy as possible. Even though my knowledge of politics is only credited to a single semester of AP US Government I took in high school, I will try to give you all the low-down of how our country functions shmoop style.

The Executive Branch- AKA El Presidente

Our Executive Branch is made up of the one and only president of the United States.

The president has a plethora of responsibilities that vary from being the head of our military to passing bills as laws. Many people confuse the president as having the power to do what he pleases while in office. However, due to a thing called "checks and balances", the other two branches of the government are able keep the power balanced and prevent a dictatorship.

The Legislative Branch- AKA Congress

The Legislative Branch is bicameral, meaning that it is made up of two chambers: The House of Representatives and The Senate.

Ideally, Congress' job is to create laws aimed at making a more productive nation. In actuality, Congress is composed of men and women whose task seems to be working against the president, bickering, and working towards reelection.

The Judicial Branch- AKA The Judges

According to dictionary.com, The Judicial Branch is "the branch of government charged with the interpretation of laws and administering of justice".

On a national level, most people know the Judicial Branch as the eight Supreme Court justices who only look at the most controversial and elite cases. On a more local level, most are familiar with the courts they have to attend when they are caught going 2.3 mph faster than the speed limit on the highway. To me, the judicial branch seems to be the most fun branch because they get to read the words written by men 239 years ago and interpret what the intent for the laws are (aka lots of gray area and haters on either side). Also, if Ruth Bader Ginsberg is not the definition of #goals, I don't know what is.

Overall, our government is pretty complex. There is much more that goes into running this country than just a single person making claims to "change" or "make America great again." Thus, I urge you future voters, when you are deciding who you want to lead this country for the next four years, to think of the big picture and how the future president is only 1/3 of power in our government and how, in order for any progress in our society, all three have to work together.