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Presidential Power

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Since the founding of the United States, there has been a debate over the power of the presidency, in regards to the constitution. In the article, “The Constitution and United States Foreign Policy: An Interpretation”, author Walter LaFeber, examines the theme of presidential power and the constitution in association with American foreign policy. From the beginning of the 1790s, there were debates as to the power that an American president had in the United States and in the world. These arguments continued between the 19th and 20th centuries. What was also important and central to this article, is not only the level of power a president does have in foreign affairs, but also the harmful consequences in using those powers without adhering to …show more content…

Also, these two presidents were able to use public information as a tool for their causes, and it helped to gather support. Woodrow Wilson also sided with the pro-imperialists, believing that the United States had the right to do with these nations as they pleased. It was after both World Wars that arguments and actions occurred against extensions of presidential power. The author mentioned that Dean Acheson, who was President Harry S. Truman’s Secretary of State, criticized the right of the president to be able to use American troops in executing foreign policy, while the Congress has no say in the matter. Also, this was followed by actions by the Supreme Court to say “that Truman had gone beyond his authority by moving to take over strike-bound mills to ensure the steady production of war material”. In the sixties, the outrage and turmoil over the war in Vietnam led to the passing of “the War Powers Act of 1973. The act limited and made more accountable the president’s powers as commander in chief”. This was also done in order for Congress to have more control over the actions of presidents, when troops are involved in foreign

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Since its enactment in 1973, The War Powers Resolution has been a point of tension between the executive and legislative branches. It is a resolution that prompts the commander in chief to exercise his war powers “only pursuant to a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization from Congress, or a national emergency created by an attack upon the United States.” It places a set of requirements on the president for the introduction of armed forces into hostilities, including a forty-eight hour period for the notification of congress, and a sixty day period for withdrawal of troops in the absence of a war declaration, with an additional thirty days for the safe removal of troops. It also requires the president to consult with congress when

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The War Powers Resolution of 1973, more commonly known as the War Powers Act, requires that the President of the United States must inform Congress within 48 hours of sending any of the troops into armed action. The Resolution also prohibits any military personnel from being in a state of war for more than sixty days. This also includes an additional thirty days for withdrawing troops from conflict. After this time period has past, the President is urged to seek a further approval from Congress or a formal declaration of war.

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The author believes that a nation’s ruler should be held to certain laws. When it comes to a President though, he fells that they can use the military however they want to benefit themselves. The President would be able to break any rule in office if he would ever to be in trouble, since he would have the military there to back him up. The Author would rather have a King who has to follow guidelines, just like the common people, though not the same rules. A King doesn’t truly control the army, and the author is afraid of what would happen with a national republic and what the consequences

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“In a moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” Those are some wise words said by the President during WWII…. Pres. Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This quote can relate to a plethora of issues, when one may have to make an impossible choice and one does not know what to do.

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Throughout history , presidents have taken different steps in abusing the executive orders and other presidential directives. Many citizens expressed different views over the executive abuse and benefits the presidents have. The increased use of executive legislation in the absence of challenges from Congress has expanded the power, boundaries, and pose a serious threat to the democracy.

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Expressed powers are powers granted to the president by the constitution. There are quite a few powers that are bestowed upon the president. Budgeting is one of them; the president has the power in taking the initiative in advising and executing budget priorities. An example of this from the book is “ the president could rein in congressional spending by impounding funds”(losco 310). Another power is Law Enforcement, normally Law Enforcement goes to the state and local government but they have grown to work on bigger responsibilities.

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Similarly, the President ordinarily enjoys broader authority and initiative in foreign affairs. If Congress can constrain the President's use of his inherent Commander in Chief or foreign affairs powers, it follows that Congress can apply at least as strong constraints to the removal power, an unenumerated, allegedly inherent, domestic power. What this has resulted in is the essential ability of the President to order forces into hostilities to repel invasion or counter an attack, without a formal declaration of war. A declaration of war by the Congress places the Unites States at war, but absent a declaration of war, the President can react to acts of war in an expedient fashion as he sees fit.

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When America, as we know it today, was created, it had just freed itself from an unwanted, suffocating European power. The people wanted nothing to do with foreign affairs and their presidents’ policies reflected that. As America moved forward and established themselves as a world power, they began to want more. At the turn of the twentieth century, this want for more hit its peak and because of other circumstances, more was just within reach. America had always prided themselves in staying out of foreign problems and focusing inward, but now a new age was dawning.

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The constitution attempts to evenly distribute powers between the executive and legislative branches of the federal government by providing the president or the commander-in-chief the power to control and supervise the military upon approval by congress, who have the power to declare war and to support the armed forces. The subject of debate regarding the act is whether the president has the authority to send military troops to war without congressional approval. The way the war powers act was written makes it difficult to decipher approximately how much power is the president privileged in the war-making process. According to the constitution congress have the powers to authorize war by formally granting letters that verify and confirm the

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When George Washington presented his farewell address, he urged our fledgling democracy, to seek avoidance of foreign entanglements. However, as the world modernized, and our national interests spread, the possibility of not becoming involved in foreign entanglements became impossible. The arenas of open warfare and murky hostile acts have become separated by a vast gray line. Even today, choosing when and how to use US military force remain in question. The concept of national isolationism failed to prevent our involvement in World War

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A Look Inside: “The Coddling of the American Mind” In the September 2015 issue of The Atlantic, the article, “The Coddling of the American Mind” co-written by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathon Haidt, was published. In this article, Lukianoff and Haidt make the argument that students of American colleges have become increasingly sensitive towards speech that could be deemed “offensive” or “triggering. And in an effort to appease students as well as avoid any possibility of a lawsuit being brought against them, colleges have become more willing to accommodate classes, by removing this type of speech from the curriculum.

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A combination of doctrines and emotions – belief in permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world – had brought about an unprecedented centralization of decisions over war and peace in the presidency. ”(Schlesinger 208). Playing to the constant fear of communism emerging after World War II, presidents have used that as enough of a justification to send our troops away. Surpassing congress by saying we were in imminent danger and essentially, what

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“The president 's power is felt all over the world.” No nation is so remote from the U.S. that they can avoid the repercussions of American diplomacy. The president can abuse their powers and it will affect the U.S as well as other countries that associate with us. “The formal powers as listed in the Constitution say little about a modern president 's real power.” Modern presidents have way more power than was is listed in the constitution, they do not have to follow the guidelines completely like past presidents would have had to.

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Unshared Power of the American Government On January 3, 2015, the 114th Congress with the Republicans being the majority party in Congress, in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, seated the Capitol Building. The controversy takes place in Washington D.C., the capital city of the United States, inside the Senate chamber and the House of Representatives of the Capitol Building. The people involved include President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and all of the senators and representatives. Many people believe that with a Republican filled Congress can come great results such as fixing all the mistakes Obama made.

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The Constitution defines the president as the executive who puts into effect the laws Congress passes. The president is elected every four years, and can only be re-elected once. The president is both the head of state and head of government of the USA, and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The president is also responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress. The president of the USA is by many considered the most powerful man in the world.

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