Why do people think a new US President will bring about major change in the world and this country?

Question

No matter if you are liberal, conservative, or a middle-of-the-road voter, why do you assume a vote for any candidate will make a major difference in the United States and how it carries out its foreign policies? I'm not talking about small time changes that any new government brings into effect once taking control, but huge, noticeable change that they enact.

I ask because the federal government is basically a mindless machine set on autopilot and no-matter whether an independent, republican, or democrat is in the White House, it just keeps on going. Sure, small facets in terms of policy may change but I'm talking about the overall picture. Don't focus on the tree in front of you but rather the whole vast forest in question.

Answer 1

I have no idea.It seems that for as long as I can remember no matter what party is in office.That then general public doesn't like them. They never keep their promises and we always seem to have to but into every other counties business and problems without solving our own. I have no use for our whole political system. It's soul purpose seems to be screw the public as long as what ever is done helps the person in offic get richer at our expense. And the new candidates aren't going to be any different.

Answer 2

That is the general idea, I hear expressed that if Hillary Clinton gets elected, she is expected to bring the troops home and get everyone health insurance. etc. She will be solving all the major challenges and promptly. The expectations are to high , to say the least, and perhaps that is the enthusiasm of young people. Whoever the New President is it takes time and patience to work on the issues, The Government is slow moving , but not mindless. It is good that it does not act swiftly or violently. It takes patience and tolerance to deal with countries and peoples that are in the process of development...... and a whole lot of Diplomacy.....
A Happy Peaceful, and healthy New Year ..

Answer 3

It's the president that attempts to set policy, but it's congress who puts forth the bills. Most responders here are probably too young to remember things such as the Eisenhower/Nixon overthrow of Iran and the installation of the Shaw upon the Peacock Thrown. They don't know anything about Kennedy's Bay of Pig's Invasion -- inherited from the Eisenhower/Nixon administration. He got cold feet and instead of pulling the plug on the op itself, he cancelled the support but let the op go forward, in essence blatantly murdering some 2510 men in a four day period. They don't know much about Johnson's new society where he wrote so many bad checks on social reform programs that Nixon (as President) had to cancel most for lack of funds. Or of Carter's bumblings that lead to a disastrous economy with so many people layed off and unemployed. And they barely remember/know anything of Reagan's cutting social spending to increase the military and his covert reshaping of politics in the middle east. Most are in complete denial about Clinton's bankrupting the federal government several times and how federal employees had to go without pay.
The fed is not nearly as mindless as you might think. There are currents and tides, directed by both congress and the executive office. They greatly effect and affect the rest of the world. Just ask the governments of Libya, El Salvatore, Iran and Iraq.

Answer 4

Because it will. If we elect a Democrat like Hillary, our troops will get pulled out; if we elect a Republican like McCain, our troops stay. The US military presence (or lack thereof) can have huge implications on the future, on terrorism abroad, on what happens in the middleeast, etc. Yeah, I would call that a major change.
Think of it this way, if Abraham Lincoln would not have been elected, the world we know today would be vastly different. The fact of the matter is that the presidents we elect can make monumental differences in the outcome of history.

Answer 5

That's not true. There are so many things that a good president could do to change the world, or at the very least the US's role int he world. Maybe you have a comfortable life, but so many don't, and it's those people who'll be affected by a new president, a new regime. You can't say that pulling out of Iraq wouldn't cause change. If you do, then ask an Iraqi what they think. And what about immigration policies? If a new president allowed immigrants to enter more easily, then their lives would be affected enourmously. And what if our new president signs into the Kyoto Protocol to ensure that we take action against climate change? That would have a drastic positive effect. So, make sure you go out and vote on election day!

Answer 6

Sometimes a major change in philosophies is needed like going from conservative to liberal to open new areas in research for instance. Stem cells? Putting a lid on it like Bush has done is leaving this country way behind the rest of the world. Oil? I sometimes think that is the major reason we are in Iraq. Instead of major research in alternative sources, we are wasting money and lives over there.

Answer 7

It take a generation to make major change. Look to next year for change or even the year after is looking for falure. People today want it in an instant. T1 connections, the net in my hand on the bus stop, phone calls in the mall. Slow down take the headphones off and put in the time if you want the change!

Answer 8

People are thinking anybody but Bush will be better. At this point anyone who understands the problems Bush has caused will want him impeached. I do know that Cheney feeds Bush the ideas, but if Bush was impeached it would be a good start to changing this country. You can't tell if it will make a difference but you have to be willing to take the chance. Wouldn't you try anything if you were dangling from a rapidly fraying rope?


Oh and to add.. why doesn't our country put the peace corps people in the school for inspiration? Instead we put military recruiters! Recruit everyone in the peace corps and forget about the military if you want to see a change..

Answer 9

I completely agree.....the problem is bigger than just the election of a new president. Maybe it's time to take our government back, it is suppose to be by the people for the people. I'd love to hear some REAL and mature answers and not just "bush s*cks"....we already know this. Perhaps the removal of both ruling parties, democrat and republic, would be a good start.

Answer 10

With each president comes some kind of change. I think many people are holding off on being as rebellious as they could be about issues such as Iraq because they feel as though a new president will come in and change the course. I know it's not that easy but dare to dream