Power and Responsibility

I’ve been reading Democracy in America; a long read but well worth the effort. It’s amazing to me that a book written by a Frenchman in the 1830s still pegs Americans and American attitudes with at least ninety-five percent accuracy 170-odd years later.

In one section de Tocqueville discusses why there are so many ambitious men in America but so few great ambitions. To my mind – and de Tocqueville’s – there are really only two ambitions in America: money and power. I find that very odd. I have no argument with the assertion that the accumulation of money is an American ambition but the idea that Americans would pursue power is strange. Think about it. Who is the most powerful man in America? Which is the most powerful position?

I’d wager a majority of people asked that question would mention the President. That, of course, is idiotic. I could make a case that Bill Gates is vastly more powerful than the President. In fact, I think the Presidency is Constitutionally and realistically a great deal less concerned with power than it is with responsibility. Nearly all power: the power to tax, the power to set the limits of behaviour, the power to declare war and make peace, the power to act is entirely set aside for the Congress; the people, assembled. The President’s job is to see that laws are carried out and to ultimately take responsibility for the success or failure of the people’s will as embodied in their representatives. He can do nothing on his own – or at least, could do nothing as originally designed.

You want to apportion blame for whatever you think is wrong with the country? You wingnuts want someone to answer for the war? Blame Congress. Don’t attack the person of the President just because Congress shame-facedly abrogated its responsibilities. Somewhere along the way Congress politically calculated that it is much easier to safely throw foam darts at the big dog’s arse long after he’s passed them by. Heavens! To actually declare war! Our constituents might toss us out on our largesse fattened arses! We can’t take responsibility for our actions!

You want change? Vote Congress out. Elect representatives who will publicly swear to fulfill their responsibilities as enumerated in the Constitution. You want to get rid of the President you goddamned moonbats? Force Congress to admit they dropped the ball, get a new Congress, have them take back their power and toss the President out for usurping power.

If you haven’t the stones to do what needs to be done, for God’s sake shut up! The Presidency is not a powerful position. He cannot change the phases of the moon or alter the tides. All he can do is administer within the boundaries imposed upon him by the people.

But we all know the people are idiots. More pity that.