First, a disclaimer. I know these are rarely followed, but I might as well try. In this discussion I am going to bring up things that have happened during the Bush administration, but it is only for examples. This is NOT a Bush vs. Kerry thread. This is a thread about what powers a president has, regardless of who it was, is, or will be. Please, do not turn this into a Bush vs. Kerry thread. Also, if I have any facts just blatantly wrong, please inform me.

Preface: We watched Philadelphia in my English class today, and on my ride home that got me thinking about the amendment my state was trying to pass concerning homosexuality, and that lead to me thinking about Bush in relation to a similiar federal amendment, which lead me on how people don't even know what the powers of the President are. This thread is so I can vent and get some clarity.

Okay, now that you have the back story, I remember, way back when, some people(both at massassi and elsewhere in the country) saying something along the lines of "Bush is the only president in history that has tried to use the Constitution to infringe on civil rights," and this was concerning the nation amendment. I realize now not only how historically fallacious that statement was, but how ignorant of our Constitution that statement was.

I am against the amendment, but I can't just stand by and let people who agree with me say stupid things like that. Am I the only person that realizes that outside of what little influence a president has over congress(party discipline is all but non-existent in the US) a president has no say when it comes to amendments to the Constitution? He can't vote on them(except indirectly through the vice president, but if it comes that close in the senate it won't pass anyway) and he can't veto them. Even when it comes to laws Congress tries to pass the only added influence he gains is the ability to veto, which can be superceded by Congress(unlikely, but it has happened).

Now, lets talk about other domestic powers the President has. He has the power to give amensty, except in the case of impeachment of a public official. What power does the President have over the economy besides passing or vetoing tax laws that come from Congress? He appoints Greenspan(I don't know the office name) right? Doesn't Congress have to approve of it? Doesn't Congress have to approve of all of the Presidential appointments, even some highest ranking military ones? I know President is head of law enforcement and prosecutors(more than just cops. It can be things like IRS too). I don't even think this power extends into state level agencies. The President is also head of any agencies or federal organizations that Congress doesn't want to deal with. Congress still have oversight(both administrative and financial) and can deprive the President of any of these jurisdictions, should they want to.

On to foreign policy. The President controls the miltary and can send them anywhere in the world for 90 days. But if he doesn't get approval by Congress when that time is up, Congress reclaims authority over the military. The President and his staff(including ambassadors, which only get their position after Congress approves of it) are usually the ones brokering treaties and alliances with other nations. But the Senate has to approve of those.

What powers am I missing?

Am I the only one who thinks the President his constantly having is hand held by Congress? And I'm not saying it's a good or bad thing, I'm just wondering. It seems the President has to constantly say to the Congress "Mother, may I?"

Am I also the only one that thinks Blair, Chirac(to a point), Putin, Schroeder, and other national leaders have far more control over their own country than the President does over the US?

ever heard of checks & balances? its so the president can't go and do crazy things *cough*INVADEIRAQ*cough* without the approval of the people

Yes, I know about checks and balances. It just seems to me the Executive branch(specifically the president) has a lot more on it, yet is still portrayed as a possible tyrant(no matter who's in office), when it's the congress that has most of the power.

congress is the representation(supposedly) of the people and its the people that are in charge of a democrasy right?

all hail Emperor Horn.

...

heheh, tat would be a funny name for an emperor.

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It's because the three branches are equal, and one branch is broken into 535 (?) seperate parts, and the president is a single person that represents 1/3 of the government.

Is that an honest question or are you just trying to act preachy? I'm talking about false perceptions some people have about the power of the President, not about whither Congress or President should have the power they have.

*cough*congress voted to go into Iraq and it was a very strong majority *cough*

They didnt vote to go to Iraq, the voted to give the president the authority to go to War.

Different things

To be fair Avenger, there was the clause "as a last resort". Whither it was used as a last resort or not is up for debate, but NOT HERE.

Then they are stupid for giving the president a blank check

sorry if i was acting preachy, but it was an honest answer