Does the President have the monarchistic powers of a King than can decree laws at any time?

[zulchzulu]

There seems to be the usual platitudes from people that Obama "failed at heathcare reform" or "hasn't done anything" or "failed as a leader". Perhaps it's simply not clear to these people that Obama has to have the Congress and Senate produce legislation for him to sign into law. It's a very basic failure to understand the essential undertaking that make our democracy work.

So, since Obama may not have passed laws covering the myriad of issues facing this country, does Obama not know that he has monarchistic powers of a King than can decree laws at any time?

[CTyankee]

1. A nice reminder that we live in a constitutional democracy.

That is apart from the question of our right to dissent if we feel the President has made a decision we feel is wrong. Both statements are true and often we here at DU have a hard time reconciling to two.

[PVnRT]

2. Why is wanting stronger leadership from Obama a bad thing?

Funny that the buck never seems to stop with him. Yes, he can't decree laws, but he has the biggest bully pulpit in the country, and he failed to use it effectively.

[zulchzulu]

5. So the Blue Dog Turncoats get a free pass?

The Blue Dogs are the ones who are voting against Democratic Party interests.

It's like blaming the president of a company for an accident that the employees made happen on purpose.

[Armstead]

9. Obama could whip them into line if he wanted to

[phleshdef]

11. And how do you KNOW that?

[PVnRT]

13. No, they don't, and I'm even more pissed at them

I object, however, to the pass-the-buck attitude when it comes to the de facto head of the party.

[phleshdef]

10. You people who whine about stronger leadership have no clue what you even mean by it.

And you completely lack the ability to COUNT.

[Deep13]

3. We're a monarchy when it comes to going to war or...

...subverting our rights. We're a republic when it comes to doing anything for the public.

[asdjrocky]

4. W. sure did.

This one? Not so much.

[Ozymanithrax]

6. We often forget that we are a representational democratic republic...

But our elected representatives are the first to call out that they are our leaders, rather than servants hired to serve our interests.

[Armstead]

7. There is a differece between a "monarch" and an actual leader

[QC]

8. Shhhh!

[TexasProgresive]

12. #2 but we had 8 years of a dictatorial presidency

Don't ever want that again D or R or I.

[freddie mertz]

14. This poll is bullshit. Sorry.

[Sebastian Doyle]

15. Obama has not failed at health care reform.

Not until he signs the shit bill. THEN he has.

[Clio the Leo]

16. Not a king.....

.... a god.













He's Barack Obama, he's come to save the day....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVFdAJRVm94

(while we sit on our fat butts and watch)