- Briefly discuss the various roles of the president and why it is such a difficult job.
Article 2 of the Constitution provides the president with important roles to govern this nation. The executive branch consists of the president and as such, is conferred the role of commander-in-chief. He is able to make treaties but with senate approval, appoint ambassadors and ensure that laws are faithfully executed. He is also able to shape public policy through the use of presidential veto and mold the legislative process.. In this way, he can rule over legislative and executive branch.
The President has a difficult job for several reasons because he may not be able to achieve his legislative agenda due to failure to gather sufficient support from Congress. This is especially visible in a divided government, whereby the governing party of the president differs from the governing majority of Congress. However, divided government has been proven to produce more significant legislation.
He may declare war as commander in chief, but Congress holds the purse strings to fund the army. He is often seen as the leader but may lack sufficient powers to successfully lead.
In the opinion of this author, the most important role of the president is the ability to execute laws faithfully. The country’s unity falls on the president, as leader. If the state breaks down , the president has the duty to suppress pandemonium and chaos, acts of treason and instill order through whatever means is necessary to bring unity and order to the state. This is necessary because the state is sovereign and the president is the leader of the state and has ultimate authority (within judicious reasoning) to authorize troops to implement order until the chaos has been eradicated.
The legislative and judicial branch would in these extreme cases do well to support the president to achieve unity as long as there is a reason for doing so.
Works Cited
MyCitizen U. “Explain ways the president influences Congress. How does the Congress check the president?” Web. 14 Nov, 2013. Accessed 5 Nov, 2014. Retrieved from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7WMQKLsl_U&index=35&list=UURew11iO-wBGoDtru2p7Ctg
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MyCitizen U. “Explain divided government. What are its political consequences.” Web. 15 Nov 2013. Accessed 5 Nov 2014. Retrieved from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6uYygmG7kU&index=33&list=UURew11iO-wBGoDtru2p7Ctg>
