To what extent is the constitutional system of checks and balances an obstacle to an effective government?

work through general structure; intro: key definitions (what is an effective government? what are checks and balances?), introduce argument (legislative gridlock, supreme court too powerful, veto too powerful, president's power over judges) para 1: leg gridlock due to different parties controlling different houses/presidency, example (2013 shutdown), counter argument: leg goes through more scrutiny, example (War Powers Act 1973) para 2: S.Ct unelected body and too powerful through power to declare legislation unconstitutional, example (Bush v Gore), counter: ensures popular opinion adhered to, example (Obergeffell v Hodges) para 3: presidential veto too hard to override, example (Keystone Pipeline), counter: prevent controversial leg, example (Clinton, Partial Birth Abortion ban) para 4(optional): president's power to nominate judges influences ideology of courts, example (Sonya Sotomayor), counter: courts independent, make decisions based on constitutionality conclusion: opinion; are they an obstacle or do they promote democracy? which is biggest obstacle and why? which is most important check?