I think I asked this before and instead of getting an answer, I got views.

Just how much POWER does the president have w/o congress backing him. I know all about the veto power and I know he can act alone in certain grave crisis..ie, US being attacked...

But when I read statements like Bush did this to this country, or Obama will make all these new changes, or McCain will.........like how can the President himself do this?

Should we not be just as concerned or even perhaps more so about who we're electing to congress?

Well, they completely let you down by letting the bailout happen, so I'd say yes, you should.

IMO, that bailout is just another really screwed up decision. If I'm going to have to suffer because of a recession/depression, I would have rather suffered because they DIDN'T bail them out rather suffering because they did!

That's my point!


The bailout solves nothing.. economics 101.

Article II spells out the powers of the presidency.

Bush has attempted to enlarge the power of the presidency in part by using signing statements and executive orders. While all presidents could use signing statements Bush has distinguished himself by making more during his presidency than every president before him combined.

For more on signing statements see http://votesmart.org/site_search.php?cx=012058190026084005465%3Awspccrg_cay&q=signing+statements&x=0&y=0&cof=FORID%3A11#949

As for the president's.

Qualifications:

* Must be a natural-born citizen of the United States (can be born abroad of parents who are American citizens).
* Must be 35 years of age.
* Must be a resident of the United States for at least 14 years (but not necessarily the 14 years preceding the election).

Benefits:

* A nice house
* A salary of $400,000 per year (taxable)
* Expense account of $50,000 per year (taxable)
* Travel expenses of $100,000 per year (tax-free)
* Pension, on retirement, cabinet member's salary (taxable)
* Staff support on leaving the presidency
* A place in the country - Camp David
* A personal airplane - Air Force One
* A fine chef

The Powers of the President:

According to Article II of the Constitution the President has the following powers:

* Serve as commander in chief of the armed forces
* Commission officer of the armed forces
* Grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment)
* Convene Congress in special sessions
* Receive ambassadors
* Take care that the laws be faithfully executed
* Wield the "executive power"
* Appoint officials to lesser offices

Powers of the President That Are Shared with the Senate

* Make treaties
* Appoint ambassadors, judges, and high officials

Powers of the President That are Shared with Congress as a Whole

* Approve legislation

then my question as to whether we should be just as concerned about who we elect as congress as we are the president is valid? Somehow, that being the case, then the whole election processes are like being in an "upside down debt".

yup one big sham - focus on the leader who is chosen by the electoral college votes. Mudslinging media, keep them uninformed and unaware. Keep them away from the issues, only feed them bits of information, but mostly misinformation.

Honestly, I think people ought to pay more attention to who they elect locally to start with. There is something to the whole think globally and act locally business.

Presidential appointments, particularly to the SCOTUS, are a way for a president to leave a legacy that can last many generations.

Given the age of the justices the prospect of the next president nominating several justices is high. It's one of the things that makes this election so important to not just us but to future generations.

JMO--ONLY

I am not so sure that this presidential election should be any more important then past elections SHOULD have been. I think it's more about the dynamics of the people running and their running mates! Again, doesn't matter WHO is the president, w/o a congress who has the people's best interest at heart...what's he going to do with all the so-called changes that either of them attempt to sell? Everyone wants to focus on the president when you've got a bunch of IMO scumbags in congress who if given as much scrutiny as the presidential candidates, not many of our "elected" officials would still have their seats. It's too bad, too, that a vote often includes how much MONEY is influencing that vote.

and too bad that the more money one has the more exposure - money sure does sux big time huh?

lol

I'm with ya Cathy

get outta my head, there's enough voices in there already!

haaaaaaaaaaaa

so it is about me!!!!!!!!

wrong thread!!!!

you're listened to the wrong voice

you do know about opinions?

what is that there you speak of??? opinions??? what vile, disgraceful things are those????????

and that's a whole OTHER thread!!! How these people start so many threads and keep up with them is beyond me, it's WORK! Course I think some start them and never return or even look to see if what they post get a response. Guess they only want to think it was all about THEM and no one else.

wow I just thought of a thread!!!

dont push the little red button

which one??? ohhhhhhhhh, that BIG one that says "post reply".

you just cant follow directions can ya.



have a great evening