The powers of the American presidency must be downgraded

[Cyrano]

Republican “leaders” know that Trump is an ignorant, malicious buffoon who can destroy our economy and, just possibly, stumble his way into a nuclear holocaust. In the meantime, he’s allowing Putin to undermine our democracy. Republicans are the only ones who can stop him, but they won’t. Today's Republican Party is a totally corrupt criminal enterprise that seeks to hold onto power forever. They couldn't care less about what happens to the county. Or the world for that matter.

We’ve come to a strange place in which one simpleton can bring about such havoc. And that's why I believe that the powers of the American presidency must be downgraded. No single person should ever again be allowed to hold the power of (nuclear) life and death over the entire planet, or the well-being of its inhabitants.

Once the orange disease is gone, and once the Republican Party is dragged away from the levers of power, perhaps laws can be passed to limit the damage any president can do. His/her overall powers come from the constitution. But I’d venture to say that much of that power comes from past congresses having not exercised their prerogatives. (As one example, the constitution says that only congress can declare war. The last time that happened was Dec. 8, 1941, so I guess we haven’t had any wars since then.)

Limiting presidential power will be a daunting task. But, as Trump has demonstrated, it’s a necessary one that must be undertaken.

[njhoneybadger]

1. I agree 1000%

Checks and balances

[Texin]

9. We already have institutionalized checks and balances.

The burden for ensuring that they work in a representative government is on the lawmakers charged with that responsibility to DO THEIR DAMN JOBS and for the people who elect them to be their representatives. The sad fact is that a significant number of people have become apathetic about their role in this process and they have allowed their minds to co-opted by right wing talk radio shills and the bobble heads on Fox. They've willing allowed their opinions to be messed with by the likes of Murdoch, the late Roger Ailes and the Limbaughs and his ilk for going on thirty years. Think about that. One-third of a person's life. That's a lot of right wing political brainwashing.

I don't know if there's anything that can reverse what's happened at this point. People have abdicated their personal responsibility and the rethugs are brazenly abdicating theirs. The Dems' hands are virtually tied behind their collective backs. They can speak out, as can anyone else who cares, but effective brakes on their power cannot be effected unless the stranglehold by the rethuglican majority is broken. Or if it can be broken. McConnell has effectively held this country hostage to the agenda of the oligarchs here and abroad since the rethugs took the majority back during Obama's administration. They intend to hold onto power by any and all measures they can - and plan - to take, even it means conspiring with a hostile adversarial country and it's dictator. If the elections are fixed and they succeed in further embedding themselves, which I expect they have every intention of doing, the only thing left to remedy that for citizens who care is a genuine revolution.

[MsLeopard]

2. Agree, but not only that

I’m hoping when Democrats regain power they find a way to undo everything the orange asshole and his band of thieves have done - repeal everything stupid executive order he’s signed, undo both insane bills he’s signed, and impeach or fire every right wing traitorous judge he’s appointed including Gorsuch. Only then will we will be able to rebuild the agencies and institutions the GOP and Putin have been destroying.

Not holding my breath, but still hoping.

[ooky]

4. Agree, and the first order of business I would like to see

is all the money that the Republicans stole in their tax scam, which should have been called “the Republican campaign financiers harvest bill” returned to the people.

[workinclasszero]

3. Trump and the republican party

have exposed some dangerous flaws in our form of government no doubt about that.

We are tied to four year periods of time for one thing no matter how insane, unstable, stupid or dangerous our pResident proves him or her self to be.

There should be a triggering point of some kind where if reached new elections would be called and the current damn dictator could get thrown out of office instead of making the entire country/world suffer the consequences of old white male rage and stupidity for four whole years.

Not to mention the fact that Hillary Clinton WON the popular vote by like 3 million and the shitgibbon got the damn job!? WTF! Change number one right there I would say!

Not to mention the fact of the last election being corrupted by a foreign dictator from Mother Russia! And we cant do jack squat about it for 4 hellish years under the thumb of Twitler and his criminal traitorous party!

[dlk]

5. Trump Has Shown the Dire Need for Anti-Nepotism and Emoluments Laws--with Teeth

There are many laws that are in desperate need of updating. The world has changed and Congress hasn't kept up. The pervasive corruption of this administration may provide the needed impetus (as well as a Democratic Congress). Sadly, Republicans have chosen corruption instead.

[sharedvalues]

6. Powers of American Oligarchs must be downgraded

The founders didn’t anticipate that money would ha e so much effect on our elections.

Since the 70s, Koches and likeminded GOP donors have built the Fed Society, installed those judges in the Supreme Court, rammed through Cit U, and opened up the floodgates for their money. We must fix that. The country is in grave threat while billionaires can buy politicians.

The only reason the president has not been investigated or impeached is because Ryan and McConnell want to satisfy their billionaire donors.

[Roy Rolling]

7. No!

That is exactly what the Russian operation wants---fundamental changes in America's democracy.

The problem is CONGRESS. The oversight of the Executive Branch has been abandoned by co-conspirators in Congress.

The Republican political machine is fueled by $$$$ from Citizens United. How about Congress do their job, and the Judicial branch, too?

We must get money out of politics. It's killing us. Or rather, it's killing American democracy. Trump's presidency is damaging because Congress is asleep at the switch.

[imanamerican63]

10. Nicely said!

If those so-called leaders would step up and do their jobs, we could maybe recover what we have lost?

[Oneironaut]

20. I disagree that this is a fundamental change. In fact, we changed previously,

and need to go back to limiting a President’s power. As much as I liked what Obama did, issuing executive orders circumvents the system. I don’t want a system where a President issued decrees, with no need to go through Congress. That leads to horrible decisions being made, and makes our system less representative.

Laws should come through legislation, imo. Too much emphasis is put on the President to enact change, when it should be the house and Senate.

[poboy2]

25. GWB admin. advanced the theory of the 'Unitary executive theory'- controversial then

controversial now.


But Congress/legislative branch has utterly FAILED as well.

[flamin lib]

8. The powers of the Presidency ARE limited.

It is one of 3 co-equal branches of government. Congress can limit what the President does IF it chooses to. The Judiciary can act to limit the Presidency if actions violate law or it can defend the Presidency from Congress if it acts outside it's Constitutional boundaries.

Sadly, the current Congress is acting in concert with Trump instead of doing their Constitutional duty to act as a co-equal check to balance Presidential power.

We have met the enemy and he is us.

[Cyrano]

12. The federal judiciary is becoming a Republican tool

Trump has appointed, and McConnell has rammed through, people for federal judge-ships that are wholly unqualified and partisan. This will be a poisonous remnant of Trump and the Republicans long after they are out of (dragged from) power.

[Horse with no Name]

11. I actually think we need a truly representative democracy

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t been represented in my entire adult life even though I vote in every election.
I think we need to look at the entire structure.

[Nitram]

14. You may be right, but I'm not sure what the would look like. This country is as large

as all the countries of Europe combined, and has a population equal to half of Europe. That makes democracy messy and complicated. I think I'd start by eliminating the Electoral College.

[Cyrano]

18. Also, 2 senators for each state is a travesty

For example:

California has almost 40 million people and two senators

Wyoming has about a dozen people and two senators.

This was a compromise worked out by the "Founding Fathers" and has been screwing up American politics for centuries.

In effect, America is ruled by a minority.

[Nitram]

22. Well, that was the only way to give smaller states a proportional say in legislation.

Without the balance, the constitution would never have been ratified. As said, It's messy and complicated for a country this large and diverse to function as a democracy. What incentive would persuade half the states to cede all their power to California?

[X_Digger]

24. It's right there in the name.

United States of America.

We are a union of states, not a single monolithic government.

[tammywammy]

32. Thats why theres a House of Representatives.

That’s the proportional representation. The Senate all states have equal representation.

[shanny]

33. Thus preserving the voice of the aristocracy

--in effect that is what the Senate is.

Worse, the 25 least populated states comprise 15% of Americans but elect half of the Senate. So just over 7.5% of US voters can bring the Senate, and therefore Congress, and therefore any legislation, to a standstill.

This is your "democracy", America. Cherish it.

[Nitram]

13. Just because Russia and the FBI helped Trump win an election, is no reason

to emasculate the presidency. When Congress is unable or unwilling to do its job, a good president can lead the nation effectively. Congress has plenty of power alreadywhen it is willing too exercise it through a majority composed of representatives from both parties. The Hastert Rule has made it impossible for any but a majority of the majority party to pass legislation.

[shanny]

34. Congress has been ceding power to the Executive

for decades (war powers, anyone?). Extra- or non-constitutional powers. Nixon's Imperial Presidency caused a backlash and we are overdue for another one.

[Blue_true]

15. Ridiculous.

So you expect republicans to do their jobs and place restraints on Trump? When have republicans demonstrated such a willingness? If Presidential power is limited, it will only be used against Democratic Presidents if history is any guide.

[Cyrano]

16. Change starts with an idea

I don't remember anyone else calling for a reduction in presidential power in order to alleviate some of our problems.

The one thing I'm certain of is that the status quo is a danger to the country and the world.

[justgamma]

17. Congress will get right on that.

Just as soon as a Dem is in office. Just like they did in N. Carolina.

[Initech]

19. The GOP complained that Obama abused his power.

Obama ain't got nothing on Trump, assholes.

[shockey80]

21. There will be many new laws put in place to protect us from future lunatics and the people.

[X_Digger]

23. No. Wait, not just no, but FUCK no.

The executive branch is 1/3 of the government. None of us like this orange shitstain, but I'm not willing to subvert the government to spite those like him.

[Cyrano]

26. So you're okay with a president issuing "executive orders?"

There's nothing about executive orders anywhere in the constitution. Yet, presidents have been issuing them for a couple of decades now. And Trump is really screwing us with executive orders, such as the recent one on tariffs.

[X_Digger]

30. Executive orders are an extension of executive regulatory power.

They have only as much effect as the regulatory power itself. Congress granted a small portion of it's explicit trade regulatory power (Article I, Section 8 if I recall) to the executive branch.

What, you weren't aware of this?

[FarCenter]

28. Congress should be the first among the three branches of government

The Legislative branch is Article 1, with 10 sections, in the Constitution. The Executive branch in Article 2, with 4 sections, is second.

Congress should do its job by, for example, taking the war making power back from the President.

[AgadorSparticus]

29. NO!! With all the gerrymandering issues and watching congress abusing their positions

Just further supports the need for a credible system of checks and balances. The power of the leniency is needed to help keep Congress in check.

I agree with others who say wee need to implement laws against nepotism. It is sad that we need to have an actual law on this.

[unblock]

31. On the contrary. The presidency is not overly strong in and of itself.

The problem is the right wing is too strong and too coordinated outside the traditional governmental structure.

The problem is republican presidents and thin majorities on congress and media control and gerrymandering and money in politics all working in concert to undermine democracy and to operate in contempt of the will of the majority.

If the presidency was really too strong, obama could have and would have gone far more.