Something that rather irks me about these debate threads is that the president is always blamed for anything wrong in the country. He is part of the EXECUTIVE branch. The executive branch executes or inforces the laws that the LEGISLATIVE branch makes. The legislative branch is both houses of Congress. Same with those who attack the Prime Minister. He executes the laws that Parliment creates. Same with State governments. Because these one person than the hundreds they become targets for criticism because it is much easier to blame them for your medicare failing or for laws against gay marriage. Granted they have some control over policy with their influence and party influence but it is not inherently their fault. Do you agree with this or not, and why? Also not Iraq war debate here.

It's much easier to say than Legislative or Executive branch

Well the president is in charge of one branch and its just one person. Would you rather put the blame on one person or several?

The USA president is sort of responsible for some things. Because of his taxcuts social security will fail unless he raises taxes again. If he doesn't, my generation can kiss that retirement check goodbye.

Yes, but in order for those tax cuts to pass, the Legislative branch must say, "Okay".

I blame problems on the Three Branches. (The people who voted for the people in power get blame as well.)

Really?
I just blame the government in general, not the actual president.

Originally Posted by BettyBeat

Yes, but in order for those tax cuts to pass, the Legislative branch must say, "Okay".

I blame problems on the Three Branches. (The people who voted for the people in power get blame as well.)

The tax cuts have passed. They were passed awhile ago.

Though right now this thought crossed my mind:

We (most of the USA) blames the president because he's the public or focal figure of the government. Therefore he gets most if not all of the blame.

Oh hey! Look! It's Chris Crocker's long lost twin!

The leader of a nation is taken to represent that nation's government, and as such, is a figurehead for the policies put into action.
Your argument's also undermined by the fact that in parliamentary systems, which I believe are more common than the presidential system the US uses, the prime minister and the government are in fact part of the legislature and play a part in deciding laws.
Not to mention that they're not powerless, since they're the ones who decide what policies the legislative branch are going to vote for in the first place. A prime minister or a president isn't a mere head of state - blaming the Queen for the UK's involvement in Iraq, for example, would be illogical, as she plays no real role beyond the symbolic, but blaming Tony Blair makes more sense, as he played a major part in entering the war.

Also, people often generalise, because it's easier. Yes, perhaps annoying sometimes, but it's only to be expected.

people also have to remember that it was the peoples choice that he remained in power for so long!

as mad as it sounds but most of the people blaming him are the ones that are to blame for voting for them!

i mean come one people, its not that hard. if the guy in power isnt any good in your eyes just dont vote for him. and if you do then dont start complaining about him because its your fault (as a colective group not an individual) he is there.

Originally Posted by juno rally

people also have to remember that it was the peoples choice that he remained in power for so long!

as mad as it sounds but most of the people blaming him are the ones that are to blame for voting for them!

i mean come one people, its not that hard. if the guy in power isnt any good in your eyes just dont vote for him. and if you do then dont start complaining about him because its your fault (as a colective group not an individual) he is there.

Ah, but what if you don't like any of the other people you could have voted for? In systems without proportional representation - notably the US and UK - only a few parties have any chance of getting in.

In the UK, for example, a lot of people didn't like what Labour did, and opposed the Iraq war, but still voted Labour in 2005 because they felt the other parties were even worse. I know I'll have a hard time choosing who to vote for in the election next year, since I can't stand any of the mainstream parties.

Not to mention, you may elect a party, but you don't get to choose their policies, and most people don't agree with every single one a party as.

Representative democracy isn't very democratic, really. The only time the people have any power is at election power, and the representatives can do as they like afterwards.

We vote directly for everything: from president to parlament...and even town majors and people sitting in the town's councile (not to count the EU parlament members).


So I do fell I have all the right to be angry when the one I didnt vote for, since he was the greater evil (and this is how i vote...for the lesser evil) trys to sell my country or something similar...

The president is a figure head at which we can point our fingers. Anyone who knows minimal information how any government works knows it's not the figure head running things. But for some reason, we like to have a leader to personify a country and it's laws.

Also, always question authority ;)

I beleive that the people are to blaim just as much for not only electing President Bush but actually re-electing him. As for blaiming him he does deserve some parcial blame because he does have a responsibility and power to do as he sees fit with although at times Congress can overpower him but this was not the case in many decisions which together have not only crushed US economy but its reputation across the world and those were decisions made by him and supported by congress during his first term.

Seriously, we do not even have to judge him by political decisions because in reality it has been demonstrated several times that there are many people behind the president who seem to be running the country in his place but if you wish to learn of his own thoughts just listen to one of his speeches and create your opinions about him.

However I have little to no knowledge about UK government today so I can not make an opinion about it.

I live in America, and I didn't vote for the turd. Therefore, I can complain about him (and call him a turd). It's as simple as that.

And I do realize that not everything is his fault, and then I do not call him a turd. Then, I call the entire Republican party turds, because that's where the fault usually lies.

Except for Michael Moore. One time I called him a turd.

Historically, we blame the figurehead - whether the person is the chief, monarch, Prime Minister, or President. Most of us simply don't pay attention to which member or Congress/Parliament is voting in which direction.

Plus, we have to consider that the president is elected through the electoral college, not necessarily through popular vote.

I'm just thankful that I am able to complain, criticize or even express gratitude for the people who direct the country I live in. Could you imagine not being able to do so?

Inform yourself about what your politicians stand for - base your opinions on their actions, not their party.

i dont know right now there is a war inside of our government...stay in the war ....or get out of the war... so i would think the president knows what he is doing when it comes to something like the schip bill. i am sure he new that most people in there are for the war and so they would agree with him making it harder to stop him.