Since America has no system of checks and balances, can we just admit we are no longer a democratic nation?

Question

Since the Bush administration can choose to follow only the laws it wants to, why have the pretense of pretending to have a Constitution or even a republic. At this point,nothing prevents the president from exercising any power beyond that which is strictly set out by the Constitution. We either have 3 co equal branches of government or we don't. Simple as that.

To the well meaning Bush enablers : Yes I am aware this is a Republic and always has been. What the Bush administration does is endager our democratic way of life with its authoritarian usurpation of power.
However it is pointless to debate with them.

Answer 1

The problem with America is not our policies but the people. We have allow indifferent politicians to do the very opposite of what we placed them there to do.

They are allowed to be self-cenetered sell outs to the highest bidder. American can demand a change and take over. Our democracy is built around the will of the people, not the will of a few stuck of crooks in D.C.

We must always remember that poly (many) ticians (tick-a blood sucker) can only do or not do what we allow of them. We must become proactive.

Did you know if the people really wanted the illegal thing straighten out, they can take to the streets and within sixty days 1/4 of all illegals would be on their way out of the country without INS intervention?

Answer 2

No, I wouldn't go so far to say that the united states federal government has become completely corrupt. In theory, if the Congress feels that Bush is abusing his power, they do have the power of impeachment. There are still checks and balances in place, set forth by the constitution. Bush truly cannot just do whatever he wants... While I'm not saying our governement's perfect (I don't think it's possible for any government to be perfect), I don't think we can complain. It could be a LOT WORSE. At least the united states federal government attempts to protect basic freedoms. compared to a lot of countries, we have freedom of expression/religion/women's rights...etc...

And, by the way, the United States isn't a democracy. It never has been. It's a republic. =]

Answer 3

As a European I think that since 9/11 you actually have gone backwards as a nation. More aggressive, less friendly, more authoritarian, extremely paranoid, more right-wing, less tolerant and, yes, less democratic. I realise lots of those characteristics are from the outside looking in and not necessarily a true state of America but still I think you have outdone yourselves in "how to be unpopular". 9/11 was terrible and the single biggest terrorist incident ever but other countries have suffered more and for longer at the hands of terrorists. You aren't the only country in the world to suffer at the hands of these maniacs. Look around. Learn from the mistakes of others before it is too late.

Answer 4

We have checks and balances. Bush cannot continue the Iraq war if Congress does not fund it. The Supreme Court ruled that the President had to give those held at Gimto a hearing. The President can be restrained by Congress or the Courts if they want to at any time, but they have not. The Democrats in Congress are too spineless to do so and the Courts are not acting because its not clear if anyone is breaking which laws.

Answer 5

The 3 branches of government are definitely not equal right now. The founding fathers designed it so congress had the most power, because they didn't want a single person having the most control over the country. Now it has shifted, and the executive branch has the most power. Which is very wrong and very dangerous in my opinion.

Answer 6

Under the New Constitution all power is vested in the Vice President, who answers to none of the other branches of government and can overule all. It passes from him to his Daughter and then his granson Barak Jr.

The new Capital is in the Worlds Largest Building, Cheyney Towers in Dubai

Answer 7

I'm not quite sure where you got your information. Let me give you a rundown on some examples of checks and balances.

The president can veto a bill in Congress
The senate can override this by a 2/3s vote in both houses of Congress.

The president has power over the military.
Congress has power over diplomacy, being the ones to approve Ambassadors, treaties, and declarations of war.

While the president can keep troops in other countries without permission from Congress, he can only keep them there for 30 days, unless there is clear and present danger for the troops in that country. (War Powers Act.)

The President can use his executive orders for emergencies.
The Supreme Court voted against Nixon when he tried to use this power to keep secretive tapes that incriminated him from the courts during the Watergate scandal.

The president can appoint any beaurocratic agent or agency.
Only the senate can destroy or fire these agents.

The list goes on, and on, and on.

As for you, you have the power of Assembly to reform government if you think it's in need of reforming. You're just not doing it.

If the Senate and Supreme Court deem it necessary, they can -FIRE- the president. OBVIOUSLY, they don't deem this necessary. Your theory is flawed.

Please. Before you complain about the government, learn something about it.

Answer 8

You may disgree with Bush now but He has power that he has not even begun to use. If you think you live in a democratic nation. THINK AGAIN. The government started steeling that from you back in the 1930.

Answer 9

Liberal rhetoric - Which laws did they break??? Oh, and this was never a "democratic" nation. We're a constitutional republic, not a democracy.

Answer 10

It sounds like you would rather have the Democrat congress calling all the shots, wouldn't you. All i can say is thank God we do have checks and balances or else that stupid immigration bill would have become law.