[devdad]

The checks and balances are constructed from ideas about ethics. You can not have one without the other.

[notheguyouthink]

Of course - but why would we trust politicians to have the ethics/morality to construct their own checks and balances?

My point is that politicians cannot be relied upon to have morality. Checks and balances are needed to ensure even those without morals adhere to some sane laws.