Would you agree that people overestimate the power of the President of the United States?

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 00:08:53 -0500

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Nov 14 at 2016 12:09 AM

Sgt William Biggs — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 00:09:37 -0500

In what capacity?

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 14 at 2016 12:15 AM

SFC George Smith — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 00:15:16 -0500

Most of the time they do... but then again there are folks who try to Take too mush and Push their power Limits too far Like the current occupant of the White House and the One who was defeated...

Response by SSG Jessica Bautista made Nov 14 at 2016 12:17 AM

SSG Jessica Bautista — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 00:17:24 -0500

I don't pretend to know what other people think.

Response by SSG Shavonde Chase made Nov 14 at 2016 12:36 AM

SSG Shavonde Chase — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 00:36:46 -0500

I would say yes because they do not understand how government works.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 14 at 2016 1:47 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 01:47:54 -0500

Yes and no. There are things the POTUS gets the credit/blame for that are beyond his ability to change, and other things in which he can exert the tremendous power of his office.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 2:03 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 02:03:22 -0500

I think they do. Many people are under the impression the President can just get into office and start making policy or order everyone else in the government to do crazy things which is not true. The President doesn't create policies or laws Congress does. The President also doesn't have the power to just order everyone to do what he wants. If he did we would have a dictatorship or monarchy instead of a democratic republic government.

Response by Austin Hocutt made Nov 14 at 2016 2:18 AM

Austin Hocutt — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 02:18:45 -0500

Well it really depends on whether A. This person who ever has a majority vote in all sectors of government. And B. Have the support of the people with these things. (Executive orders are included as well even though they are unconstitutional.)

Response by SPC James Harsh made Nov 14 at 2016 2:52 AM

SPC James Harsh — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 02:52:18 -0500

Veto power. Will there be hangups or will things happen? Congressional traffic per se can vary based on the President. I would say that people underestimate the power/influence of the POTUS due to a general obliviousness. For example the little person in congress wants to pass a bill based on an idea from constituents, Has the proposed bill heard and voted on after garnering support from others, which is no easy task. The process continues if passed and goes to the Senate and they will vote, ultimately the POTUS will decide if the Senate passes it. That is a lot of work, then to have a POTUS veto it, sure that is power, so isn't the effect of having a Congress that thinks it's wasting it's time with a POTUS. Lack of communication, many reasons/factors.. If, including the POTUS, there is no communication (other than subversive executive orders), the power can be good or bad..

Response by LTC Peter Hartman made Nov 14 at 2016 5:52 AM

LTC Peter Hartman — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 05:52:58 -0500

Yes. The president does not have the authority most people assume he does. Obama said as much several times.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Nov 14 at 2016 6:10 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 06:10:17 -0500

I don't know what others think but the federal government has grown more powerful over the last few decades. The executive authority of that apparatus is the president. So I would say the president is a more powerful position that the founders likely considered. Executive orders have become the way for some to get things done with a pen they could not get done through the legislature. The 3 branches of government are separate but equal. It hasn't been working exactly that way for a while.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 14 at 2016 8:47 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 08:47:09 -0500

Absolutely. Look at the current rioting. All those rioters obviously believe that the power of the President is far greater than what it actually is. So do the members of so many other identity groups who fear that a conservative President might send them scurrying back to their closets. However a President who obeys his oath of office is far less likely to violate the Constitution and attack their rights than a Progressive with a pen and a phone.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Nov 14 at 2016 8:49 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 08:49:54 -0500

Yes... way too often. People seem to forget about the whole checks and balances thing and the fact that we have 3 governing bodies not 1. Frankly, I'd be more concerned with the Supreme Court Appointments than the Presidency because the Supreme Court is a lifetime appointment. Once you're in, you're set for life. You have 2 choices... quit or die.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 9:21 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 09:21:01 -0500

Yes and no, Congress makes and passes lawes, not POTUS but Obama took it to another level with the executive order stuff. I would like to see that limited somehow.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 10:15 AM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 10:15:55 -0500

Absolutely. We have checks and balances for a reason. I like to tell everyone, "The President is really only a figurehead for all the Bullsh*t."

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Nov 14 at 2016 10:33 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 10:33:36 -0500

No, A President has near total control of the direction of the US Government for Four Years. Fortunately, most of the harm and unfortunately, most of the good done by one President can be undone by the next.