问答题 The President of the United States of America has more power than any other president in the democratic world—except the French president. It is he who formulates foreign policy and prepares laws for the home front. He is leader of the nation and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. He represents the USA and, since the USA is a superpower, the eyes of the whole world are on him. The fate of the world is in his hands, or so the world believes, and one careless, ill-prepared speech could precipitate a crisis.
Actually, a great deal of the President"s power is controlled by Congress. It is the Congress that declares war, not the President. Unlike the Prime Minister of Great Britain, or of Germany, he can make a treaty with a foreign power. But this treaty must be debated and agreed by Congress before it comes into force. The same control applies to laws at home. Congress has on several occasions refused to ratify treaties or give approval to laws proposed by the President.
Some Americans have the feeling that idealism has gone out of politics and that personal ambition and money have taken place. The election campaign for the Presidency is unique in the amount of money poured into it. The wooing of voters lasts for months.
But before the campaign for the election of the President can begin, each political party has to choose its candidate for the Presidency. This can lead to some very close contests. Many aspiring to be elected as the party candidate employ top public relations and advertising men, who invent clever catch phrases and set about "selling" their man. There are whistle stop tours by train, by plane, by car. The candidate delivers countless speeches and shakes countless hands.
Big money is necessary to support a presidential candidate"s campaign, and the candidate himself must be rich enough to pay his share. An attractive wife is an advantage, too. Money is also needed to become the governor of a state, or a successful Senator, or members of the House of Representatives. Yet from this small group many excellent men have become President, and the same is true of members of Congress.
It is unlikely that the President could ever become a dictator. Congress, the press and the people between them rule out such a possibility.
Perhaps the most efficient safeguard of democracy is the Supreme Court, for one of its objects is to protect the individual against the government. It has the authority to cancel a law which it considers violates the Constitution. The court sits for at least four days a week, and any individual who has a grievance against the government can apply to it for help.