Friday, March 13, 2009

The Constitution of the United States, I.1.9, Post 2

The Constitution divides powers across the people, the Congress, the president, and the judicial branch. Man has a tendency to do evil and to oppress Man. The dispersal of power helps to stop him from becoming a tyrant.

Here at The Founders' Constitution, we'll be lingering over many of the founding documents. But I am only taking a cursory bird's-eye view of the Constitution itself. Let's take a look at the executive branch: the president.

The president commands the army, navy and, when called up to serve the United States, the militia.

The president may require of any member of his cabinet an opinion regarding the affairs with which that cabinet is charged to oversee.

The president may grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States.

The president may make treaties with the approval of two-thirds of the senate

The president appoints, with the advice and consent of the Senate, ambassadors, judges, and all other officers of the United States whose appointments are not otherwise provided for in the Constitution and which are established by law.

The president may recommend laws to the Congress, and address it regarding the state of the Union.

The president receives ambassadors and other public ministers.

The president makes sure that the laws are executed.

The president commissions all the officers of the United States.