bobby408 wrote: Unfortunately, our executive has limited power nowadays. This power is in the hands of a globalized power elite. Read CW Mills "The Power Elite" to learn more about this power elite. It is truly enlightening.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sir ... 59151.html

While it is true that there are highly influential private citizens the executive powers of the president have never been stronger.

I do agree with you the executive has power that has not had its equal with the executives of past. The executive has more resources at its disposal than at anyother time in history. But these resources, especially for the past 30-40 years or so, have been mobilized to make the rich richer. The executive truly used to be a check on the other powers or an emergency seat of power (like Lincoln and FDR's respective situations). But that is not the case anymore. I don't know how, but I am vigorously beginning to search for this answer in many books, but the "power elite" has a stranglehold on the presidency. Just look at campaign contributions. The percentage coming from corporations is amazing. Also look at the media, which should be understood as closely related the powerful corporations, because these corporations own bigger pieces of market media share than they have ever owned in the past. Just like they did with Bush and Clinton, the media will destroy credibility at will if the executive is not working in the interests of these rich and powerful people. That is what I mean by limited. They can do so much, only if it is in the interests of the rich. Remember that the media is also the strongest its ever been and has so much resources. Correlate this with the fact that most media outlets are owned by big business, you have a tool that can be used politically by the rich and powerful to make sure their interests are manifest by the executive. Also, remember that corporate executives slide in politics sooooo much nowadays. That should also give evidence to the hand-in-hand cooperation of business and politics. Under Bush, Powell, Rumsfeld, Cheaney, and even Bush himself, ALL ran corporations. Anyways, I appreciate your insight and knowledge and I appreciate everyone's ability to speak with reason ad knowledge in these discussion boards.