Even though the countries of Iraq and the United States have much friction between each other it is very surprising how much the constitutions of both nations are alike.

James Madison became the main writer of the United States Constitution, which was adopted in 1789 . The 13 states ratified the constitution, making it the basis of the Government of the United States. In 1990 the Iraqi government adopted their constitution. The Revolutionary Council wrote their constitution as the framework for the government of Iraq.

The United States Government consists of three branches. The Legislative branch proposes and enacts laws, and can impeach members of the other branches. The Judiciary branch interprets the laws and makes sure they are constitutional. The Executive branch enforces the laws, and can veto bills passed by Congress.

The highest level of power in Iraq belongs to the Revolutionary Command Council. Its responsibilities are to elect the president from its members, make up the laws, and elect a vice president. The members of the Revolutionary Command Council assume full immunity and nothing can be taken against any member without a majority vote from the council. There is also a National Council made up of representatives from different sectors, who ratify laws made by the president. Iraq also has a judiciary branch.

Our First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The Iraqi Constitution guarantees freedom of opinion, political parties , press and syndicate, within the law, only if it follows "the Revolutionary, national and progressive trend."

The First Amendment also guarantees freedom of religion. In Iraq the national religion is Islam, however they also have freedom of religion.

In Iraq you are allowed to own a limited amount of land, but in the United States you can own unlimited land if you can pay for it.

If you are accused of a crime in the United States, you have the right to a trial by a jury of your peers, the right to a lawyer, and you cannot be forced to testify against yourself. The Iraqi constitution includes the rights of innocent until proven guilty at a legal trial, and the right to defense.

I have learned that our government is different from other nations because the power comes from the people, instead of the government having all the power and granting the people certain rights.