Question

Title: American Government - Is the Presidency Too Powerful?

Purpose: To understand the role of the Presidency

Objective: To determine if the presidency role is too powerful.

Write an essay discussing "Is the Presidency Too Powerful?" State your position on the question and support your position with three examples. As a critical thinker takes the opposites position and give two reasons to support that position.

Answer 1

American Government - Is the Presidency Too Powerful?

The President

As defined: The President of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.

To put it in simple words, he is the top man in the oval office and is one of the most respected leaders' worldwide. The post is indeed powerful and the president as a man is capable of accomplishing some very serious tasks which if pursued by people who belong in positions other than the POTUS, may take years or decades to accomplish. The purpose of this article is to understand the role of the presidency.

The Role of Presidency

The President has powers to take care of the national issues plaguing the country. He/She has the issue instructions or commands, impose rules and regulations. Such kind of rules shall be then reviewed by the judiciary but may not necessarily require the approval of the Congress. The President has the power to vote for or against a legislation (Though not selectively), command the armed forces, grant or revoke pardons and get written opinions from the cabinet. The President can appoint judges and officers, though this has to be approved by the Senate. The President can withhold information from the general public, Congress and the courts in case of national security concerns.

My position

I believe that the President is indeed powerful in the current situation.

Points that support my position

1. The power to launch a nuclear strike - This was made clear by Hillary during her campaign speech. This not only gives power in the US but in the whole of the world. If the President has a set of demands and they were not met, he/she could launch a nuclear missile. For example, the current situation with North Korea may escalate or diffuse depending upon the POTUS.
2. The power to eliminate someone opposing him/her - This is as dangerous as it gets. If the President does not like someone who opposes his opinions, then a wink of his eye could make the person disappear off the face of the earth.
3. The power to impose or withdraw sanctions - To impose a sanction or to penalize a government by way of punishing them. For example, Sanctions imposed on countries like Afghanistan or Pakistan can be revoked at will by the POTUS.
4. The power to withdraw or move troops into other countries - The idea of mobilizing troops in war zones and countries that have high terrorist activity - This has both pros & cons. For example, the situation in Syria, drone strikes and other military movements.

Opposite position

The President is not as powerful as he is deemed to be

Points that support the opposite position

1. The laws passed by Congress - There are laws in place that restrict the President from doing what he wants to do unless it warrants cause enough to justify benefit for the state.
2. Separation of powers - Powers not only lie with the President but is vested with the Senate and the judiciary. Actions that the President takes is bound to be reviewed by either or both of them and decided.
3. Court battles - If the President decides to pursue a course of action on 'his/her own' then the President is bound to face some long legal battles.
4. Federal Reserves - Federal agencies like the CIA, NIA and the other federal groups have their own protocol and hierarchy. They need not necessarily dance to the tunes of the President and in a way, have more power than the President himself.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that even though the POTUS is not the most powerful man in the United States, he is indeed 'too powerful'. This should change further and the power should be balanced between the Senate, Judiciary and the POTUS such that no one has the upper hand in deciding the course of the country.