Most if not all politicians are power hungry ego maniacs. The term twisting of arms and breaking bones is CALLED a euphemism. Members of our own party namely Bonehead have punished those that do not agree or vote for his legislation. This is called politics and has been in effect for over a hundred years. I want a president that will follow the constitution on immigration, building a wall, make foreign governments pay for their security, bring back jobs, etc. If he has to twist a few arms, so be it and most Americans want the same. They are tired of the same old, same old...another euphemism.
If this government is not turned around pretty soon, we will default on our debts, people will lose faith in our currency, our morals will go further in the toilet and we will wind up in another war. Like Trump said, he want action rather than tone. Continuing on the same path we are on and you will not have to worry about the Constitution or the flag.
Of course politicians are power hungry. That's why they need to be changed often but that would require term limits and/or a public that pays attention and doesn't just vote for the guy they know.
If you want a president that follows the Constitution then you (or him/her) need to understand the founders created a system with coequal branches of government. He has absolutely no say in who congressional leaders are. We have more influence that he does. The president can do much to stop illegal
immigration invasion by following the laws currently on the books. That hasn't been done in decades. Let's see if the laws we already have work before proposing new legislation. A president can follow the current law on day one. Even when the executive and legislative branches agree, they work at a snail's pace. Congress controls the purse strings but the president has the discretion to take all funding away from sanctuary cities.
The president does have leeway to work within the guidelines of the Constitution when it comes to monetary policy. Interest rates, not pumping money with no value into the market, how to spend money he's been given for various branches of government. He can work to streamline departments and find waste and incompetence. He can decide what to fund. Streamlining would allow him to propose a budget that doesn't require the ridiculous amounts various departments need.
Every congressman wants to be able to say they cut taxes and they'd look like idiots if they gave the president more than he's asking for. 0bama is going over the heads of congress but arm twisting (which he has barely done) tends to make people dig in their heels. It's human nature. He has a bully pulpit to show Americans what amounts he's cutting and why. Millions of Americans calling their senators and congressmen have a much greater chance of affecting legislation than arm twisting. They all want to be reelected.
I don't know how much power a president has to change morality through policy. Gay marriage is the law of the land and making it illegal again would probably be a fool's errand. While he can choose to not fund PP or force employers to pay for birth control most of these kinds of issues aren't at the top of most people's list at this time. Reversing 0bamacare, current illegal executive orders, not being a foreign policy pansy are crucial. Certainly, he should address social issues but these are issues that not only have to go through congress but will be tied up in SCOTUS for a very long time. On these issues you cannot twist dems arms and as of right now nothing can be passed without their support. Given how ineffective this congress has been, it's a crap shoot whether people will vote to have them in charge. It's a fact that while congress parrots "the American people want us to work together", Americans like gridlock. That's what they thought they were getting when they gave reps control of both houses.
Of course the president should use his power to persuade congress but his ability to go directly to the public is a very powerful tool. Start burning up congressional phone lines and email and their instinct for self preservation kicks in. One of the most important things a presidsoment can do is choose to not be influenced by big money and corporations. He can decided "pay for play" will not be a part of his administration. He can choose to not appoint someone to a key post just because they donated money to his presidency. He can choose not to make the executive branch a revolving door for special interests. He can choose who gets government contracts. If a president used the power he currently has to follow laws that have been ignored and keep special interests from having sole influence on him, he'll go a long way towards getting the country back on track.
You'll notice I was not at all hostile to you but engaged you in a worthy conversation. I'd appreciate it if you'd do the same. It would go a long way to reverse some of the hostility people here have for you.
Cindie
