Presidential Powers Granted by the Constitution

Every president is supposed to have certain powers granted to him by the United States Constitution. It has been thought that some presidents have taken their powers for granted and some scandals have ensued. By and large, it is safe to assume that each president has had the United States citizens' best interests at heart.

One of the powers vested in the president is the military powers. During times of war, he is automatically given the title of Commander In Chief. This allows him to make unilateral decisions when attacking or defending the country. He may request the opinion, in writing, by other department leaders, but ultimately will make the decision on the necessary actions. The president is also given the power to appoint certain justices and commissions, with the consent of the Senate. Two thirds of the senate vote is all that is necessary in order for the president to continue with the appointment of ambassadors and officers to fill vacancies that occur during the recess of the Senate. During a state of emergency, the president is given the authority to usurp Congress and the states by issuing executive orders in order to legislate. Often times, the balance of power goes unchecked and many people feel helpless because of the president's powers to arbitrarily enact laws without the voice of the people being heard.

The balance of power is one of the most important pieces of our Constitution and if unchecked, can lead to disasters. Our democracy is the purest form of taking the voice of the people into consideration, but only if practiced properly.