President, not dictator
By cobrateacher
@cobrateacher (8432)
United States
September 15, 2008 4:50pm CST
Too often, we forget that the president's powers are quite limited. He or she can try to convince Congress to do something, but it can't be forced. I read so many things on myLot asking what the candidate would do about this or that if elected, and most of the time, it's not things that are within the President's power.
Could we at least try to deal with reality?
5 responses
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
15 Sep 08
Reality? You have to kidding right? lol Although I do have to say that the current administration has pushed the executive powers as far as possible.
1 person likes this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
16 Sep 08
The only executive powers he's pushed involves the war in Iraq. As I'm sure you know, that too was approved by congress. Bill Clinton was the one who REALLY pushed his executive powers by entering an illegal war in Yugoslavia AGAINST the almost unanimous vote by congress against the war.
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
16 Sep 08
ZephyrSun, you've hit the nail on the head. Clinton and just about every president did overstep some boundaries, but Bush has just gone entirely too far! He's made sure to let everyone know he'll find some way to get what he wants, and much of it has been behind our backs, with Congress voting after the fact, when many just give in because things are as they are. Instead of asking for the appropriate permission, this administration has asked for a bandwagon to form!
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Actually as much as I hate Bill Clinton I think he did the right thing as I'm sure all the women and children that were being raped and murdered would too also thank Clinton for helping them with their situation. I wasn't ever sure I agreed with him until I researched it (it has some footage on youtube) and the clencher was a discussion that I read here about a woman that went through the war and her story. But, the difference between Liberals and Conserveratives is that most Liberals care about the unhumane acts against their fellow man and honestly from watching this forum most Conservatives DON'T.
1 person likes this
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
15 Sep 08
Hey Cobra,
Those are the very words that my husband and I ask all the time!!
I wish that people that are so vocal in blaming the President for everything that is wrong in the Government would actually take the time to do some research and find out what is really wrong and why and who are really responsible for it. First of all, we are the ones who elect the people in office. The President can't do anything without the approval of the Congress. Only we can make the appropriate changes as long as we vote for the right people to make those changes. And most of us don't even know who those people are or care. You don't just vote for someone because they are Democrat or Republican. Find out who they are and what they truly stand for. Not just what you see or hear on TV or the newspaper. The people of this country have to stop being lazy and do the research. And for heavens sake, don't take the word of someone just because he or she is one of your favorite actors. Most of them don't know any more about our government than most people. Read and learn people.
leenie
1 person likes this
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Our votes and the letters, calls and e-mails we put out can let our Congress know our wishes. If they won't stand up for us, they need to know we're ready to replace them. It might not happen the very day they anger us, but we must remind them there's always another election soon. Adding our economic crisis to the mess in Iraq and Afghanistan should be enough to motivate a whole lot more Americans to get on their jobs as the electorate!
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Very well put Cobra,
This is the very thing I was trying to say. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by what is happening and the ways that people interpret it, I just want to scream. This is why I try to avoid these kinds of discussions on here. Everyone has a right to their opinion, but sometimes their opinions come from reactions rather than knowledge. Thank you for articulating some of what I was trying to say.xoxox
leenie
@evanslf (484)
•
15 Sep 08
It is true that the president does not have dictatorial powers and is dependent on congress to get many things done. That said, the president does have executive powers which he can deploy to a certain extent without congressional approval. Also, in 2006 people voted to kick the Republicans out of congress, largely due to dissatisfaction with the Iraq war as people wanted it to stop and for the troops to come home. But President Bush, 'the decider', decided otherwise and refused to be budged. So clearly, the President does have some considerable power and of course has his veto pen which can block any legislation that he doesn't like unless there is bipartisan support for that legislation.
1 person likes this
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Reality, yes, hmmm...if only the world we lived in LIKED reality more, that's the thing.
Thing is, over the past years, there's been alot of iffy executive orders floating about and more and more things come out about corruption which makes me think that this past President at least, has been stretching the limits of his power.
Which is wrong, and if this country was more put-together he'd never have this opportunity to do so, nor would the future Presidents. They'd get arrested for going against what they can do within the constitutional limitations placed on his or her office.
But you're right, we need to start looking at all this realistically.
President, not dictator, precisely.
1 person likes this
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
16 Sep 08
*nods* I agree. More are aware and educated than last year, so maybe there's hope for people yet to start facing the right direction to turn this whole thing around.
I just hope some of the folks who keep educated, that I talk to on occasion aren't right that it'll get worse before it gets better.
Why does it seem like people have to suffer before they realize something's wrong? If it's a trend, I really dislike it.
If we manage to get past this and return things to what they're supposed to be like in the future, I think the next agenda will be making sure that our general population never forgets and becomes complacent again -- because that's how this crap starts.
1 person likes this
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Too many people still look at politics as if it were somebody else's thing. They seem to thinnk they could never understand it. In Florida and some other states, there are laws about government in the sunshine, making all but the touchiest security issues totally public, and it occasionally changes things. Americans need to be educated and to care!
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Let's also not forget about Supreme Court appointments that could lead to the overturn of Roe vs Wade, among other things.
There are ways to get members of Congress to vote your way, or does anyone really believe that back room deals and threats of blocking someone else's legislation don't happen?
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Those are facts, indeed, and we need stronger representatives and senators to counteract a lot of it. The Court has let far too much slide by, too, and, while we can't even vote for them, we must let them know we disapprove when we do, and try to influence them. Those back-room deals need to get the filthy reputation they used to have, once again. How did the judiciary throughout the country cede its power and allow legislators to decide on such things as prison sentences, etc.?
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Our checks and balances have been blurred a bit under the present administration, who will just go ahead and do things they're not supposed to do with an excuse of national security. We just need to return to sanity.
