To govern means to control, influence, or regulate. The very basis of our Constitution and our country does just that. It is truly remarkable that a document, drafted over 220 years ago, has stood its ground and influenced the governments of other countries and states, just like our own state of California. By comparing the United States Constitution to that of California, readers can easily identify similarities between them as well as major differences that distinguish the state and government of the country. The two documents contain very general similarities. Both have bicameral legislatures, meaning they have two chambers or houses. Both also have a Bill of Rights that showcases citizens' rights. Like the United States government, the California government also has a legislative, executive, and judicial branch where, in short, the legislative branch makes the laws, the executive branch implements the laws, and the judicial branch interprets the laws, among other things. In order for both governments to function smoothly, California was influenced by the federal system of checks and balances, meaning that no single branch of government can become too powerful. Additionally, the state governor has duties similar to those of the president, such as serving as commander in chief of a militia and having supreme executive power (Cal. Const. art. V, § 1 and 7). Although, within the similarities, many differences can be noted between the two documents, ranging from minor differences to major differences. Starting with the legislative branch, some minor differences include the bicameral federal legislature containing the Senate and the House of Representatives (U.S. Const. art. I, § 2 and 3), while ... half of the document ... undertake or exercise a 'activity, profession, vocation or employment because of sex, race, creed, color or nationality or ethnic origin' which still lives up to itself today (Cal. Const. art. I, § 8). Furthermore, non-citizens of the State “have the same property rights as citizens” (Cal. Const. art. I, § 20). There are many more differences between the California Constitution and the Bill of Rights, mostly due to the document's vagueness, which gives the federal government room to interpret it as necessary. Researching and reading both documents completely reinforces the idea that to govern is to control, influence, or regulate. All of these laws and rights create a controlled environment to live in that is constantly challenged and violated every day. The Founding Fathers drafted an extraordinary document that will live on for years and years to come.