Quick question “three coequal branches of government” do you believe this was the intent or where do you find it? I think your “balance of power” is a bit more accurate of a statement because the powers of each branch are defined, but not equal.
I know its a common statement “three coequal branches of government” and I have used it myself, but in reality it is not so, for it really matters on what the subject is IE are we making Law then Congress has all the power and the Judiciary can at best say its Unconstitutional and the Executive can just not enforce. So Check on the power, but not equal.
Here is a pretty decent article, replete with quotes from founders:
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/152944