US President

[Donald Trump]

The US president is commonly described as the most powerful man in the world, yet is this true?

The US system of government was designed so no one section could be more powerful then the other. but it seems that the executive branch has become more powerful, with cheney claiming he isnt really part of the executive branch.

but how much power does any US president really have?
their actions have to be ratified by congress, who are possible of saying no, and also congress can impeach the US President.

and there are other people in the world who are perhaps equally/more/less powerful then the US President, ie President of China, Bill Gates ect,

so what i mean really is being the leader of arguably the most powerful country in the world equate to being the most powerful person in the world?
discuss?

 

[Kermit the Frog]

I don't know much about America, but I do know that the US government is a complete troublemaker.
America and its citizens scare me, like that new forum member who's patriotic to America...well...I'm just really scared of him now...he creeps me out...
But the US government, oh, they gotta go down to the bottom of the pile!

 

[Darkstar]

Yes, the Leader of America pretty much rules the world, partly so because he has tie ins with every other country in the world, Britain, France, China, Australia (not as strong with Aussie because we just got a new PM) and also that America has a lot of exports, and he controls them. Alas, that is all I know

 

[Warbsywoo]

Complete troublemaker? Don't generalize like that, 'cause that's not entirely true. If they were, then they wouldn't care about...anything. They're not exactly a group of warmongers causing trouble just because they want to or because they feel like doing it, but because they have to.

Why does the U.S. government intervene in everything then?

Because the U.S. has economic and political interest in those parts of the world that they're involved in. Although they do tend to cause trouble, they're not the direct source of trouble in the country either. In other words, the trouble was already there before the U.S. intervened. Well, can you say that if the U.S. government never intervened in say, Iraq, would you be willing to trade-off human lives under the dictatorship of Hussein and be willing to accept rising oil prices at the same time? Would you feel safe that there are terrorists in that part of the world running unchecked and could attack anytime anywhere because no one intervened?

Okay, so the war really hasn't been all that popular, but stats show terrorists and terrorism have dropped since 9/11, so there is at least some progress.

Complete troublemakers too, when they provide monetary support to keep other countries afloat? It's not like they're supporting big bad dictatorships and leave genocide unchecked, but don't you think it's a good thing that other nations are kept economically afloat by U.S. government funding?

And last, thing. Patriotism. Everyone has it, not many can deny it. Why exactly do American citizens scare you, Amelia? What have they done?

In response to TYK's post:

I think the U.S. president is the most powerful man in the world simply because he controls the *arguably* most powerful and influential nation in the world. Foreign and domestic affairs are two different things, but you're right, he can get checked by the legislative branch in Congress. But, remember that presidents can override, as is the case with Abraham Lincoln. If you know, he suspended habeas corpus during the Civil War in 1861-65 over the voiced antagonism of Congress. Of course, the war justified his action because it prevented Southern sympathizers from debilitating the northern war effort.
So he does have the power to. All presidents, that is. It's not preferred, but sometimes it's necessary, but just by the fact that it's there means that the President really does have a lot of power, maybe more so than anyone else in the world.

Case in point in the difference between domestic power and foreign power in relation to leaders:
Dictators may have more power per se than the President of the United States at home, or domestically, but they aren't as powerful when it comes to the world stage. If they can't field an army or navy as powerful as the Western World, i.e. specifically the U.S., can you say that he is more powerful than the U.S. President?

 

[Koloth]

The US President may be the Chief Executive ot the Executive Branch. But remember, it is a temporary position. The max a person can be a US President is 8 years, two terms, That was done after FDR died, who was President the longest. I believe he was President for 12 years. Truman did most of his 4th term.

So I would say the US maybe the most powerful country in the world. But the President's power is limited primarily because it is a temporary postion. I think the Congress actually have more power, that is if the dopes actually use their power. Right now, the Democratic Congress are a bunch of wimps. That is another thing, which is different than a government like Britain. The US may not always have one party in primary power. You could have a Republican House, Democratic Senate and Republican President. Which I believe is how President Bush started his Presidency. Now he has a total Democratic Congress. So if the Congress were not a bunch of wimps, they could check his power pretty well.

 

[Warbsywoo]

I have to post this: Max for a president is 10 years, not 8.


Oh yeah, Bush also had a Republican Congress during the majority of his term, so since they were in his party, they had no choice but the obey their party. Now that Congress is dominated by Democrats, expect much more rebuke from them about presidential decisions.

 

[Koloth]

Z, a President's term is 4 years. They are allowed 2 terms, which is 8 years. I know because I have been voting for several years.

 

[Warbsywoo]

No, I know that. I just pointed out that the actual max in years in office is 10. When the president dies within 2 years of being elected, the vice president ascends, and he gets the 2 years remaining on the ex-president's term plus 2 terms he's entitled to if he runs for re-election.

 

[Koloth]

Thats true, Z. I forgot about that. Since fortunately it does not happen very often. I stand corrected.

 

[Warbsywoo]

But does that affect whether a president is more powerful or not? Staying an extra two years? I mean, his power will certainly be longer, but more powerful?

I actually think FDR waned in power when his 4th term rolled along. But since he is, as you said, the only president to remain in office for more than a decade, that's probably not a good benchmark.

 

[Rockman X]

I don't know much about America, but I do know that the US government is a complete troublemaker.
America and its citizens scare me, like that new forum member who's patriotic to America...well...I'm just really scared of him now...he creeps me out...
But the US government, oh, they gotta go down to the bottom of the pile!

Oh please, a troublemaker? No. If you're referring to the war in Iraq as the "trouble", there are only a handful of people to blame for that. Both America and its citizens scare you?

*puts on a sheet with eyeholes cut out*

BOOGA BOOGA BOOGA!

US Government goes to the bottom of the pile? Excuse me, but what about Mexico's government? Or China's? You should STFU about America, its government, and us Americans and learn some world politics.

Yes, the Leader of America pretty much rules the world, partly so because he has tie ins with every other country in the world, Britain, France, China, Australia (not as strong with Aussie because we just got a new PM) and also that America has a lot of exports, and he controls them. Alas, that is all I know

Darkstar, you only continue to further my point about hippies being completely ignorant of the real world. The President of the United States is FAR from being the most powerful man in the world, or even in America. I doubt you could fathom how complex our government is, so I'll give you a very brief overview. You should pay attention to this too, Amelia.

The US government has a three branch system, called Checks and Balances. As the name implies, this system makes it impossible (in theory, anyway) for one branch to have more control over the other. The branches of our government are Legislative, Executive and Judicial.

Legislative: makes laws, decides taxes.

Executive: holds the president, vice president, and the various departments.

Judicial: the Supreme Court and smaller courts fall under this branch. I'm sure you can figure out what courts do.

I really hate when people insult the United States and don't know shit about how it actually works. If you people would actually bother to do a bit of research on our government (because I can't be arsed to edumacate you), you'd learn that the president is not ZOMG UBER 1337 SUPERPOWAHFUL MAN! Besides, George Bush is a backwoods retard. Dick Cheney is running most of the stuff, including the war.

 

[Shu]

The US president is commonly described as the most powerful man in the world, yet is this true?

The US system of government was designed so no one section could be more powerful then the other. but it seems that the executive branch has become more powerful, with cheney claiming he isnt really part of the executive branch.

but how much power does any US president really have?
their actions have to be ratified by congress, who are possible of saying no, and also congress can impeach the US President.

and there are other people in the world who are perhaps equally/more/less powerful then the US President, ie President of China, Bill Gates ect,

so what i mean really is being the leader of arguably the most powerful country in the world equate to being the most powerful person in the world?
discuss?

Well Mr. Site Owner, I would have to say the president is definitely not the most powerful person in the world, I am. But srsly..

A president is the head of the executive branch, which means he's a pawn for the Congress basically. He is mainly there to act as a non self thinking individual mainly for image. Imagine the appeal it would have to have a half Muslim (no birth certificate to say otherwise) president involved and how good it would look for foreign policy.

I'm not even sure how much a President's Veto does now a days when the Bill process goes through America. To be honest, I think this is the reason John Kerry couldn't be elected (not saying he would of made a good president) due to he would have tried to radically change things in the House/Congress. They can't have a self thinking individual try to tip the scale and have the Congress's power to be completely dissolved.

I think there is no "strongest" person in the world. I think the UN itself is the strongest entity although, to be honest lately American has dug itself a hole since it has acted alone in Operation Freedom. That's my two cents at least.

I don't know much about America, but I do know that the US government is a complete troublemaker.
America and its citizens scare me, like that new forum member who's patriotic to America...well...I'm just really scared of him now...he creeps me out...
But the US government, oh, they gotta go down to the bottom of the pile!

Are you a hermit? Where have you been for the past century? Back your claims!

 

[Dee]

Shu is right. The president is not the most powerful person in America as Congress has enough power to overturn a lot of whoever is currently leading this country's ideas. He is simply the face, the secretary, the spokesperson for a slew of other bloodsucking, money grubbing, old farts who don't give a shit about what the American public wants or truly needs for that matter; therefore, because the president is the "face" of American, he gets blamed for everything. He is our scapegoat.

And because many people who do not live in the United States do not understand how the electoral process actually works (it's actually the Electoral College, which is considered the equivalent of what the nation's majority decision is on the matter, determined by each individual state (not each individual in the country, discounting those who aren't registered, are too young, are criminally disallowed, too senile, too stupid, too uncaring), there tends to exist this sort of assumption that it is the American citizen's fault. Basically, if you live in a mainly democratic state, you'll probably be blue and the EC will uphold its belief that a democrat should be in office. Likewise, if you live in a state that is mainly keen on republicans, you'll find the EC leaning towards a republican to take office. This system can be and is unfair on the individual front as affiliating ones self with a certain party (or a combination) and living in a mainly republican or mainly democratic state, can be terribly misleading in the polls.

The whole state thing is just a popularity contest (who is leaning dem and who is leaning repub?!) that makes things even more confusing. Therefore, people from outside of the United States assume that we truly are in control of who we have as a president; although we probably still have more power over him than many other countries if we can impeach the guy.

In a nutshell, it is give and it is take. On one hand, we do have a say in the matter, mainly state-side about issues close to home more so than on a federal level. On the other, the president is not the most powerful person in the United States. And just because a republican or a democrat is voted into office and turns out to be a complete moron who ruins the economy, declares war, rapes us with taxes and gives the middle finger to the world does NOT mean we, the American people, wanted that (so try not to be so generalizing and blame all of us--blame the ones with the power).

The more you know. -=*

 

[CassinoChips]

Imagine the appeal it would have to have a half Muslim (no birth certificate to say otherwise) president involved and how good it would look for foreign policy.

I was not aware that one could be half of a religion. Or that that information appeared on a birth certificate.

I think it depends on how you define power. In this case, I would define it as influence, and the PotUS certainly wields a lot of influence throughout the world because of his position. He's the Commander-in-Chief of one of, if not the, strongest and most technologically advanced militaries in the world. That brings with it a lot of power and influence. He also represents the United States' image around the globe in terms of foreign relations. Although the Sec'y of State (Hilary Clinton) does most of the work as far as traveling and hand-shaking and hashing out policies, the PotUs is the face that gets shown on the news. Then there's the fact that his economic policies are attached (erroneously, in my opinion) to the success or failure of the U.S. economy, which in turn has a dramatic effect in much of the rest of the world.

Even if he isn't the most powerful figure in the world today, he's gotta be in the top three or four, I would say.

 

[Shu]

I was not aware that one could be half of a religion. Or that that information appeared on a birth certificate.

Nope but Snopes or no Snopes, the Hawaii birth is still pretty fishy. I guess what I meant to say is "once muslim, now rebirthed Christian mysteriously" hence he's more of a mut interior of faith. (but from personal opinion it shouldn't matter what religion you have, as long as you are level headed and can demonstrate you will stay true to your word as a President as in your campaign) I think the real intention of electing him was to find some foreign policy resolve. I honestly, and I stand by this belief, I think the president's word is not his own. It is merely what the congress "yesman's" him/her to do. Just look at the decline of Bush in form of a super power he had from the beginning of war to the end. He made himself look like a dumb ass, and the media pretty much raped him of all respect. The media was originally used strictly for political purposes, so it's a huge hit when your own Media won't back you.

Here's how I can relay it to folks.

1) Entertainment vs Politics

A) You have your Disney/Nickelodean. The person is backed by this corporation because they are new face and innocent and can be used to gain quite a bit of acclaim for their cooperation. I.E. Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Simpson, Beiber, Fred. Once they try to shake their "good boy, good girl" image and try to go off and do "bad boy/bad girl" (according to these coporations) they get dropped. The only bad boy/bad girl things that these folks are doing is wising up and trying to think for themselves and do their own thing. Good for them, they are trying to be self thinking individuals, but they are crucified when "defecting" from their sponser by trying "new" things.

B) Then you have your Congress. Sometimes called the brain behind the US, though they are not far from the truth. The most powerful entity, that doesn't need a president, but uses the president in order to show an image in which displays Politically Correctness and Foreign Diplomacy. If the President tries to voice his own opinion that isn't scripted, he is instantly demonized for the most part (since the 50's basically). It's like going against what the FCC is all about in Music. Your music won't be played. In this case your view will be silenced. I belive Barak Obama to be a GREEAATTT man and has much potential, but unfortunately, I don't see him doing anything that great in his term due to again.. Congress.

Notice how much crap he is already getting because of his Wife's Spain trip. The media is slowly filtering through and starting to attack once more. You stand behind living a bit more frugal and rationing, and then your wife goes to Spain on a nice trip? Meh.. People catch on to these types of things. If the Congress sees it, they could impeach any President. Notice how much electorial votes way on the election of a president as well. I heard all these rumors about him advocating change, but I just believe he's a vessel for Congress/Bigger wigs.

 

[CassinoChips]

Nope but Snopes or no Snopes, the Hawaii birth is still pretty fishy.

http://factcheck.org/imagefiles/Ask...ma Birth Certificate/BO Birth Certificate.jpg

I think the real intention of electing him was to find some foreign policy resolve. I honestly, and I stand by this belief, I think the president's word is not his own. It is merely what the congress "yesman's" him/her to do. Just look at the decline of Bush in form of a super power he had from the beginning of war to the end. He made himself look like a dumb ass, and the media pretty much raped him of all respect. The media was originally used strictly for political purposes, so it's a huge hit when your own Media won't back you.

I think that's an overly cynical view of the President's role, but I can see your point(s).

I belive Barak Obama to be a GREEAATTT man and has much potential, but unfortunately, I don't see him doing anything that great in his term due to again.. Congress.

I agree. The Republican part of Congress has dug its heels in so deep, that they are automatically categorically opposed to anything Obama does, just because it's coming from Obama, regardless of whether or not they actually agree with the precepts of the bill. And on the other hand, the Democrats can't find their own asses with both hands, so they paralyze themselves and nothing gets done.

I heard all these rumors about him advocating change,

Everybody does that. If they are from the opposing party of the group that was previously in control, they espouse the change doctrine. "We're going to take the corruption out of Washington! We're going to get things back on track! We're going to get thing back to the way they're supposed to be! We're going to take back our country!" And then they get in power and do the exact same things as the other party did. And repeat ad nauseum. Wildly frustrating.

 

[Sullivan0930]

The presidents and especially Obama are just an act. Bilderberg group is what runs america, better yet the world. Obama is just a mask to hide whats really going on.

 

[Sir Kenneth]

The presidents and especially Obama are just an act. Bilderberg group is what runs america, better yet the world. Obama is just a mask to hide whats really going on.

Alongside the space aliens and those guys from the Dan Brown novels. I won't claim that there isn't a lot of behind the scenes power-broking going on or that big business isn't behind a lot of it, but I still very much doubt it's as evil and world domination focused as the conspiracy nutters would have us believe.

 

[lreal]

The most powerful branch of the US gov't (imo) is the judiciary, or more specifically the Justices of the Supreme Court. They serve for the entirety of their life, and pretty much just make policy decisions congruent with their own idiosyncratic political leaning without any real repercussions on them while affecting the entire country. There's a reason why most SCOTUS decisions are 5-4; it's not all based on the legal reasoning. They're pretty much the Ayatollah of the USA.

 

[Sum1sgruj]

The most powerful branch of the US gov't (imo) is the judiciary, or more specifically the Justices of the Supreme Court. They serve for the entirety of their life, and pretty much just make policy decisions congruent with their own idiosyncratic political leaning without any real repercussions on them while affecting the entire country.

Not exactly. They also have to be extremely careful about pride and prejudice just like any other judges, and even more so since they are closely monitored and sit so high.
On the contrary, they are overlooked mostly because trying to overthrow a supreme court justice is a national inquiry. And if the person who tries fails, they are branded an ass-wipe forever