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Mike Winther talks about The American Presidency in this lecture given in June of 2012 in Colorado. Mike explores the oval office based on biblical principles with the thesis of the presidency not really being that important. The office of the president really isn’t that big of a deal, yet in America we make it a big deal.
He talks about how the president gets into office, what the president is supposed to do, and the constitutional duties of the president. Then he talks about mismanagement and good management. He also revisits history and shares a president he considers a hero, and one who is not a hero.
You’ll Learn:
- [04:17] The presidency is not that important. 1. The president cannot pass a law. 2. The president cannot support Supreme Court Justices. 3. The president cannot declare war.
- [05:10] Media outlets focus on national news and the presidency.
- [06:35] Strategically, time would be better spent working on Congressional races.
- [06:49] Constitutional perspective of the presidency. We have three branches of government and four bodies of government.
- [09:16] Is the president appointed or elected? The electoral college actually appoints the presidency. We choose the slate of electors through popular vote.
- [12:42] The US Senate is elected, but originally they were appointed by the state legislature.
- [15:39] The Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the president. The president is appointed by the electoral college. We have an appointed body appointing the justices.
- [16:47] Government officials most closely represent people who put them in office.
- [20:07] We can ascertain the founder’s intent by the enumerated or listed powers. Elected officials are held accountable by elections and impeachment.
- [21:49] We want the most powerful body to also be the most accountable. The house was supposed to be the most powerful body. The presidency is the second most powerful followed by the senate and the judicial branch.
- [27:51] Bills are passed through the senate and the house and the president signs them.
- [28:31] The Constitutional role of the president. Mike shares duties and powers listed for the president.
- [32:47] Congress can fund wars without voting for them by saying that they support the troops.
- [36:46] Centralization of government always benefits Satan.
- [42:02] The only executive orders that should exist are the president ordering his staff to only do what is constitutionally allowed.
- [42:22] Presidential signing statements where the president adds things to a bill. It’s only constitutional for the president to either approve the bill or not approve the bill.
- [44:49] The presidential personality and the bully pulpit. They can direct the opinion of the nation. The bully pulpit is fine as long as force isn’t used.
- [46:07] Heroes and villains for presidents and revisionist history.
- [48:58] One of Mike’s heroes is George Washington.
- [51:00] A letter from George Washington to his mother. He was protected beyond all probability in a battle. This is evidence for providence.
- [58:05] More research on Abraham Lincoln and his beliefs. The Real Lincoln and the battle over history.