The Seven Roles for a President

Thanks to Scholastic.com, I am able to post the core of the article "Seven Roles for One President." This entry briefly describes the seven major roles of a United States President. This basic government lesson may help others see that the Office of the Presidency of the United States is the most prestigious job in the world. The holder of this office is head of state and head of government of the United States. He represents the champion of the free world. He makes countless sacrifices for his nation and is often the most criticized man in the U.S. when times are tough. His office is the most powerful post in the world. It is therefore our responsibility to view our demanded sacrifices as for the nation, and not as for the man, but for America. There are no excuses, only for respect, dignity, and sacred honor. God Bless the President whoever he may be; God Bless the people and citizens of this great country; and God Bless America.

1. As the American Chief of State, the President is a living symbol of the nation. This role requires a president to be an inspiring example for the American people. 2. As the Chief Executive, the President is "boss" for millions of government workers in the Executive Branch, deciding how the laws of the United States are to be enforced and choosing officials and advisers to help run the Executive Branch. 3. As the Chief Diplomat, the President decides what American diplomats and ambassadors shall say to foreign governments. With the help of advisers, the President makes the foreign policy of the United States. 4. As the Commander in Chief, the President is in charge of the U.S. armed forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. The President decides where troops shall be stationed, where ships shall be sent, and how weapons shall be used. All military generals and admirals take their orders from the President. 5. As the Chief Legislator, the President has the power to influence Congress in its lawmaking. Only Congress has the actual power to make laws. But the Constitution gives the President power to urge Congress to pass new laws or veto bills that he does not favor. 6. As the Chief of Party, the President helps members of his political party get elected or appointed to office. The President campaigns for those members who have supported his policies and campaigns for his own re-election. 7. As the Chief Guardian of the Economy, the President is concerned with such things as unemployment, high prices, taxes, business profits, and the general prosperity of the country. As John Edward Fleckenstein Jr., (www.zianet.com, "The Office of the Presidency") states so well: "One man cannot do it alone, he needs God, he needs reliable and trustworthy staff, and he needs us, the people of the United States of America. It is our obligation as American citizens to also ask what we can do for America... "As dutiful citizens we must voluntarily relinquish time and energy for the purpose of keeping ourselves respectable citizens, people who care about America and care about their President, whether he is Republican or Democrat... "He is our President and not his own, he is America's. We must keep watch over our President, giving him our respect, prayers, support, critique and, views he so desperately needs, as he watches over our lives and liberties."