The Limitations of Checks and Balances is a colossal, safe nation, ruled by Several Apointees with a fair hand, and remarkable for its otherworldly petting zoo, daily referendums, and devotion to social welfare. The compassionate, democratic, cheerful population of 3.099 billion Checks are free to do what they want with their own bodies, and vote for whomever they like in elections; if they go into business, however, they are regulated to within an inch of their lives.

The large, liberal, socially-minded government juggles the competing demands of Administration, Education, and Environment. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Main Branch. The average income tax rate is 96.7%.

The frighteningly efficient Checkh economy, worth 540 trillion Accepted Commodities a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector, which is quite specialized, is dominated by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing, Tourism, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Average income is an impressive 174,256 Accepted Commodities, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Court cases mostly involve lawyers shouting questions at witnesses giving silent shrugs, the "Underwear of Women in Power" issue of The Main Branch Times is sold out, power stations shutting down at night has made bedtime reading tricky, and pop stars who make it big overseas are hailed as economic heroes. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Checks and Balances's national animal is the Bald Eagle, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Checks and Balances is ranked 16,783^rd in the world and 1^st in Continental Wastes for Highest Average Incomes, with 174,256.02 Standard Monetary Units.