Info about the President (for Kids and VVers)

[Winnow]

Basic info about The President:

The President is the head of the executive branch and plays a large role in making America’s laws. His job is to approve the laws that Congress creates. When the Senate and the House approve a bill, they send it to the President. If he agrees with the law, he signs it and the law goes into effect.

If the President does not like a bill, he can refuse to sign it. When he does this, it is called a veto. If the President vetoes a bill, it will most likely never become a law. Congress can override a veto, but to do so two-thirds of the Members of Congress must vote against the President.

Despite all of his power, the President cannot write bills. He can propose a bill, but a member of Congress must submit it for him.

In addition to playing a key role in the lawmaking process, the President has several duties. He serves as the American Head of State, meaning that he meets with the leaders of other countries and can make treaties with them. However, the Senate must approve any treaty before it becomes official.

The President is also the Chief of the Government. That means that he is technically the boss of every government worker.

Also, the President is the official head of the U.S. military. He can authorize the use of troops overseas without declaring war. To officially declare war, though, he must get the approval of the Congress.

The President and the Vice-President are the only officials chosen by the entire country. Not just anyone can be President, though. In order to be elected, one must be at least 35 years old. Also, each candidate must be a natural-born U.S. citizen and have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. When elected, the President serves a term of four years. The most one President can serve is two terms, for a total of eight years.

Before 1951, the President could serve for as many terms as he wanted. However, no one had tried. After two terms as President, George Washington chose not to run again. All other Presidents followed his example until Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt successfully ran for office four times. Early in his fourth term, he died, in 1945. Six years later, Congress passed the 22nd Amendment, which limits Presidents to two terms.

[Hesten]

Well, thats at least some good news. Even if Bush win, its max 4 years with that idiot before he have to let the power go to someone else.

Unless he of course manage to get the country into such a military unrest that you cant hold the next election, that wouldnt surprise me.

[Winnow]

We can always repeal the 22nd amendment which is the one that states that a president may only serve two terms.

I remember the chants, "Repeal 22! Repeal 22!" as Reagan's 2nd term was winding down...not that he would have had the mental capacity to serve a 3rd term anyway!

Liberal response: Reagan didn't have the mental capacity to serve his first term!

Code: Select all

Amendment XXII

Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term. 


Section 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states within seven years from the date of its submission to the states by the Congress.

Hmmm this amendment is interesting. It appears you don't have to pay taxes to vote:

Amendment XXIV

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.


Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

[Kelshara]

Liberal response: Reagan didn't have the mental capacity to serve his first term!

I was going to say second term actually...

[Kylere]

Winnow

You do not have to pay taxes to vote, but Felony Tax evasion can remove your right to vote.

[Keverian FireCry]

Well, thats at least some good news. Even if Bush win, its max 4 years with that idiot before he have to let the power go to someone else.

Unless he of course manage to get the country into such a military unrest that you cant hold the next election, that wouldnt surprise me.

True, but the neo-cons have plenty of good puppets they can replace Bush with, and win people over with the same lying and fear mongering they use today.