The many members of the executive branch in our American government system have different roads to their respective seats, varying motivations while they are in said seats, and contrasting aspirations for their political careers once they plan to move on from the Senate or the House of Representatives—if they even decide to leave that part of the government. Their practices are not entirely based on objective governmental values; instead, the members of Congress wheel and deal, trading favors with each others in the government. We see these measures in films such as Charlie Wilson’s War. Members of Congress get things done by bartering with other Congress members. The legislative branch of the United States government is basically a …show more content…
With that comes their fears, personally and for the greater good of the population. They want to improve the image of this country, and when the reputation and well being of the United States is not in a beneficial state, they look to change what they can. Charlie Wilson, in the movie, wanted to ensure that he was able to continue the fight against worldwide communism by opposing the Soviet Union indirectly via Afghanistan. He was also, personally, deeply moved by the plight of the Afghan people in the face of the U.S.S.R., which motivated him to move in fear of their rivals in the east. With that fear of things that can go wrong, naturally, comes the fear of what the personal repercussions of that can be. These members of Congress obviously have reached new heights in their political careers and at least want to stay in that position. With mishaps during their tenure, they can be voted out of office and their political career can begin to take a tumble. It is not impossible for former members of Congress to climb back into a seat in the House or the Senate, but being given the boot in any type of field, never mind a high pressure one like politics, is a big fear for anyone. Thus, politicians in Congress look to make decisions that please not only their colleagues but those who go to the polls in order to protect
The executive branch of the Unites States government consists of the President, Vice President, Executive Office of the President (EOP), and the Cabinet (Citation). The President is the highest official of the Executive branch. The powers of the President are wide-ranging and highly substantial but were also drafted in the constitution to be limited by the other two branches of government. The remaining branches of government are the Legislative branch and the Judicial branch. There functions of all the branches are interrelated and the restraints on the amount of power each reserves are also coordinated. This correlation involves the system of checks and balances which was implemented by the framers of the Constitution. The President, as
This written report is appertaining to the book How Congress Works and Why You Should Care, written by Lee H. Hamilton. This book is published by Indiana University Press in Bloomington, IL, it was copyrighted in 2004 by the publisher.
Today, career politicians are constantly looking for what will aid them in getting reelected. They become more loyal to their campaign fund contributers than to the people whom they represent. This increases the likelihood of having corrupted politicians in office, as they use the government as a vehicle to further their own career (Kurfirst, 1996, p. 123, 129). George Will, a well-known political journalist, was quoted as saying “[The] worst feature of professionalism in politics is that it obliterates the proper distance between the representatives and the represented” (Kurfirst, 1996, p. 125). Even James Madison agreed that legislators were meant to represent the people, not hold office as a career. In The Federalist No. 57 (1788), he wrote, “From this change of men must proceed a change of opinions; and from a change of opinions, a change of measures.” The lack of new faces in Congress today symbolizes that the American legislative branch is straying from its intended purpose.
The arguments made by Federalists and anti-Federalists regarding the office and powers of the presidency during the ratifying debates that followed the drafting of the Constitution in 1787 were persuasive, but distinctly at odds. Both sides, however, sought the same thing, how best to allocate power in a unified republic of states? From this question opposing views developed as to whether or not a President should even exist, and if so, what powers he should be granted. I will briefly examine the presidential powers that were primarily awarded under Article II of the new Constitution. I will then explore the opposing arguments that arose during the ratifying debates concerning those granted powers. I do so in the interest of offering a
Throughout the book Congress: The Electoral Connection there is a common theme that the author, David Mayhew, brings to our attention. He argues that the members of Congress have one exclusive goal, to get reelected; because of this goal, it effects their behavior and actions during their time in office. There are four reasons that Mayhew puts an emphasis on the goal of reelection, those being political reality, the lack of focus on parties but rather on individuals, the constant struggle for power and, in his opinion, most importantly it establishes an accountability relationship with an electorate. As the book progresses Mayhew provides an abundance of evidence as to why he believes this is the primary goal of the members of Congress.
The comparison of a state with great plains and a state with mighty mountains seems unimaginable but very possible, at least on governmental standpoint. The great state of Illinois and one of the original state, North Carolina, have set up a state government very similar to the federal government and similar to each other. Their comparisons and contrasts are most noticeable in the legislative and executive branches.
As the President of the United States, we see him, or possibly in the future her, as the supreme or ultimate power since they are the highest on the chain. For instance, just as monarchies saw their king or queens. The power of the Executive Branch is solely invested in the President, also assumes the position as head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Everything you hear from the President is supposed to carry a heavy weight because it is coming from a higher authority figure. You would think with a stroke of a feather light pen and whatever wish the President has asked for has been granted. Not exactly. The president has powers outlined specifically by Article II Section II of Constitution. Although it implements fewer explicit powers to the president than it does Congress. Opposing popular belief, our president powers are “…far more limited in power than we think” (Botsch). Giving these limitations are some examples to…
The main function of Congress and the legislative branch is to make laws. Although it oversees the executive branch, the president, as well as the judicial branch, Congress represents and speaks for the people under the federal government. Congress is mainly considered to be the broken branch because initially Congress would have the power to establish foreign affairs and declare war if necessary. However, the president has taken over the role while Congress observes. Not only that but also the development of the gridlock within Congress leads Congress toward no longer accomplishing and meeting the role the legislative branch is supposed to meet. Not to mention no acts of bipartisanship plus the problem of the diversity of members of Congress,
Three governmental branches were created by the new constitution: an executive branch, a judicial branch and a legislative branch. The constitution called for the election of a governor and 24 senators and identified eligible voters as men who were possessed of freeholds of the value of one hundred pounds, over and above all debts charged thereon. The constitution also called for the election of 70 assemblymen for 14 declared counties who were to be elected by male inhabitant of full age, who shall have personally resided within one of the counties of New York State for six months immediately preceding the day of election. New York also guaranteed the right to trial by jury, which had been eroded under British rule. The Constitution granted the national government more power than under the Articles of Confederation. Many Americans were concerned that the national government with its new powers, as well as the new division of power between the central and state governments, would threaten liberty.
The ever growing importance of incumbency within Congress have created a landscape for this current anomaly. A representative must comply with the environment of constant regional networking, and fear; out of the real threat of being overtaken in office if they do not do so. Regional economics, corporate backing, and public perception are now held at the utmost importance to a member of Congress because if left unattended, opposition will take advantage in future elections. Therefore the ability to negotiate, is paramount and translates into both Senate and House Member’s
The executive branch of our government is like a chameleon. To a startling degree it
Congress serves as our legislative branch, separated into a bicameral body with their own set of responsibilities. Congressmen and women, are elected representatives
One function of Congress is lawmaking. It is one of their main jobs to make rules for Americans, but they don’t initiate most of the bills they pass. Most are initiated in the Executive Branch or from interest groups and their political parties. Congress gets support for their bills by persuading other members to support
The executive branch includes the President of the United States, the vice president, the Cabinet, executive departments, independent agencies, and other committees. The President’s Cabinet consists of the president, vice president, and 15 department heads (from the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veteran Affairs) all appointed by the president. The purpose of the Cabinet is to advise the president as well as carry out the day-to-day administration. Besides carrying out laws, the functions of the executive branch include diplomacy with other nations, signing treaties, and issuing
The role of the President as Chief Executive is a complex matter because it covers a wide area of responsibility and involves many government agencies and offices, that the President is responsible for overseeing. The history of Chief Executive starts in the constitution with Article II section I “Executive Power shall be vested in the President of the United States of America” this did not create the role although it was a front runner to it. Executive Power is understood to mean “seeing that laws are executed” this would be a hard task for one person to accomplish in a newly formed government let alone in today’s political world (Kalllenbach) . To briefly explain this requires and understanding of what it is, what it does and how it