[Pacalis]

Being this is a Presidential election year , I was wondering to myself , Is the Executive branch of our Government really necessary ? In fact wouldn't it be better without one ? We could still have all of the Cabinets that are in the Executive branch but have it handled by our Legislative branch . Give the individual States more power. Have Elections every Two years , if the person does his job he is re-elected and given a raise . In case of a National emergency, that particular Cabinet i.e.( Home Land Security) makes the initial call, but would still need the backing of the rest of the Legislative branch. This way the people would know what was going on in the Government.
Just seems like a purer form of Democracy , in my opinion. I had other thoughts on this , but thought I'd throw this out to see what others felt about it's merits . Would we be where we are at now in Iraq, if it would have been a Legislative decision ? Just a thought ????
Oh, and do away with all political parties !!

[flyeater]

a purer form of Democracy

My pet peeve. We live in a democratic republic. It's not a pure democracy for good reason.
Back in the day the founding fathers struggled mightily with the idea of a government directly elected by the people or one appointed for them. Pitfalls to both & advantages to both so we end up with the happy mix we have now.
Executive, legislative & judicial branches are all important parts of the checks & balances. So important in fact that they make up the very first sections of the US constitution.
The president is ultimately decided by the electoral college & it used to be that state legislators elected senators.
I can kind of understand why the method for electing senators has changed but the original is still an intriguing idea. As is the idea that the losing candidate for President becomes VP.
My feeling is that the system works pretty good it's the American voter that needs some "tweaking".

[Pacalis]

All true but the fact that these "Checks & Balances" do not appear to be working any longer. The Executive branch has way to much power in my opinion, with nothing to "Check" it. By eliminating the presidency and giving power to the Legislators, there would be more of the "Checks & Balance" you speak of. There would be more discussion and thought before drastic or stupid decisions were made by one man and his hirelings. And any immediate threats could still be handled by specially appointed Cabinets, until a decision could be made by the entire Legislator. And with elections every two years , that person would have a better feel of what his constitutes desire in a Government. It would also dictate the performance of this person.
The current Administration is a prime example of what could have been.

[Infidel_Kastro]

Originally Posted by THEROACH

All true but the fact that these "Checks & Balances" do not appear to be working any longer. The Executive branch has way to much power in my opinion, with nothing to "Check" it. By eliminating the presidency and giving power to the Legislators, there would be more of the "Checks & Balance" you speak of. There would be more discussion and thought before drastic or stupid decisions were made by one man and his hirelings. And any immediate threats could still be handled by specially appointed Cabinets, until a decision could be made by the entire Legislator. And with elections every two years , that person would have a better feel of what his constitutes desire in a Government. It would also dictate the performance of this person.
The current Administration is a prime example of what could have been.

Youi are forgetting one important part, legislators are not there all the time and there has to be one specific person to make decisions, not to mention other facets of the constitution that are specific to the role of the President, i.e nominations, entering treaties, etc. Further, if you remove that one branch, whats to keep from removing the judicial branch and having even less control?
As far as cabinets positions, these appointment's are specific to the President nominating them.
And if you really want to see less getting done in Washington, try reelecting Congress people every two years. There would be constant campaigning, not to mention less constituency service. The President and the Senators carry longer terms in office so that work can be stared and completed, with the turnover in the house, you have to constantly be running a campaign.
In actuality, the President does not necessarily weild a lot of power, because Congress has the "power of the purse" which limits what the President can do. he can no bill legislation, but they can override him. He can make appointments, but they can deny it. I don't think getting rid of the Executive branch is good, because you are focusing only on the President, when in fact, the Executive branch "enforces" laws that Congress writes, thus who would be in charge of the FBI, BCIS, and other federal law enforcement agencies? Remember, the Judicial branch "interprets" laws and it would be a huge conflict of interest for them if they controlled law enforcement agencies.

[flyeater]

If you haven't checked out my link above check it out. Interesting stuff.
Most of the complaints you seem to have Roach and most of the problems I see are due to the voters. There's a number of reasons why the system seems so messed up right now. It's been said that we have the government that we deserve.
American voters just need to vote as Americans and not as party animals.

[Infidel_Kastro]

Originally Posted by flyeater

If you haven't checked out my link above check it out. Interesting stuff.
Most of the complaints you seem to have Roach and most of the problems I see are due to the voters. There's a number of reasons why the system seems so messed up right now. It's been said that we have the government that we deserve.
American voters just need to vote as Americans and not as party animals.

I think that is a very good point, and in fact, if the VP was the second most vote getters, I think you would see more specialized parties emerge.

[Pacalis]

Hi Flyeater ; and yes sir , I certainly read your links . I am aware of the way our unique Government is set up. I am just so disillusioned in it , I was just speculating , that's all . Trying to speculate what others thought about it. I know that our Government "if run properly " is the finest in the world. And I am aware of the fact that "we" (a collective "we") are the problem. But it is hard to be anything but apathetic in times like these . I am 50 , and a Vet. and have been so disgusted with our Government since I was able to understand it's concept. The older I got the more disgusted I've become. This country has become so morally bankrupt , that it's hard to have the faith in it that our fathers had. And Infidel_Kast , you are completely right . I was not trying to put our government down in any way. I was , as stated earlier, just throwing something out, to see what stuck.
Everyone here seems very intelligent, I was looking for your views. I hope I didn't offend anyone, I am new to this forum and certainly don't want to cause any hard feelings or disrupt the harmony of you fine people.
It just seems that in my lifetime , the U.S. just doesn't measure up to the way I was told it was. Something is wrong, and I believe it is "us" .

[Infidel_Kastro]

Originally Posted by THEROACH

Everyone here seems very intelligent, I was looking for your views. I hope I didn't offend anyone, I am new to this forum and certainly don't want to cause any hard feelings or disrupt the harmony of you fine people.
It just seems that in my lifetime , the U.S. just doesn't measure up to the way I was told it was. Something is wrong, and I believe it is "us" .

I AM OFFENDED!! I just don't know about what, ever since Janet Jackson showed me her boob, and I am sorry that everyone had to see that, it was supposed to be a personal thing between she and I, my ability to be offended ahs gone up dramatically.

[Pacalis]

Originally Posted by infidel_kast

I AM OFFENDED!! I just don't know about what, ever since Janet Jackson showed me her boob, and I am sorry that everyone had to see that, it was supposed to be a personal thing between she and I, my ability to be offended ahs gone up dramatically.

Well I missed it, either it was very little or I blinked. So here's one less that shared your moment together.