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As a European observer, it's been an interesting lesson in how much power and sway the US presidency is invested with, despite ostensibly existing in a system t
by sho_hn 2y ago
As a European observer, it's been an interesting lesson in how much power and sway the US presidency is invested with, despite ostensibly existing in a system that is less centralized and puts more power (and elected offices) at the state level than our flavor of democracies.
You may not be able to bend the will of state officials, but if you can bend the will of national-level companies this easily, "the Feds" are effectively a much larger operation than it otherwise would be.
- tomrod 2y agoSince the 1950s, more and more power has been claimed by the executive, sometimes as a consequence of legislature dysfunction, more often by unchecked supremacy clause execution. The US was envisioned to look a lot more like the EU. The US Civil War required a stronger federal response, and unfortunately reconstruction failed to sufficiently address the primary economic differences in industrialization, resulting in deep geographical divides. Further propaganda machines set up by one party due to embarrassment over Nixon's resignation has resulted in one effective party; the other is primarily controlled by corporations.
- readthenotes1 2y ago"more often by unchecked supremacy clause execution." Which is also quite often legistrature dysfunction.
- 2muchcoffeeman 2y agoThere’s always been disgusting amounts of money involved with US presidential elections. Its just never been so blatant. Their whole system is not really geared towards a fair election. Gerrymandering, millions of dollars in political donations, optional voting and you don’t need to give time to employees to vote, voting system specifically designed to maintain a duopoly.
- mardifoufs 2y agoWait until you hear about the French presidency ;)