As November is quickly approaching, people are getting hype about who they want in office, or who they really don't want in office. Which, is a great thing, considering the amount of political apathy our country has been battling the last couple of years. However, the hype has a habit of directing our attention to not necessarily the wrong things, but away from some of the right things. With a new political headline every minute raging about a candidate's political stance, or who's ahead of the race, we forget about the big picture that falls outside of your phone or T.V. screen. So here's a couple of reminders...
1. Congress
This election has seemed more like process before crowning a King or Queen. Remember the "Checks and Balances" concept you learned in your 8th grade social studies class? No? OK. Here's the deal. The President has to be able to work with Congress and vice versa. The President has the power to veto any piece of legislation that Congress produces and passes, and Congress has the power to override the President's veto with a simple majority. (2/3). The President also submits a federal budget to Congress in which Congress may either pass or reject. This November, thirty-four senate seats and all four hundred and thirty-five house seats will be up for reelection as well. As of now, the republicans have control over congress, but that may change come this November. So when deciding on a presidential candidate, don't forget to think about how well he or she may be able to compromise.
2. Executive Orders
All politicians are power hungry. But just how power hungry are they? Don't forget, if congress isn't fond of something that the president proposes, the President can classify his proposal as an "executive order", basically forcing it into law. Many people forget that this is an option, so it's important to think about just how power hungry the candidates are and how willing you think they may be to use them.
3. Foreign Policy
Often times, we let social issues consume us. Especially millennials. (I, too, am guilty). Or maybe we let fiscal issues get the best of us too. (Also guilty). But it's important to look beyond the homeland, and at the bigger picture of the world. Before backing a presidential candidate, don't forget to think about how well he or she would work with other leaders of the world. Maybe you're pro war, or maybe you're anti-war. Maybe you're really liberal with immigration, or maybe more conservative. It's important to think about how well the candidate would fill the position of Commander-in-Chief as the face of the United States to the outside world.
4. The President's Cabinet
No, not a real cabinet. Thanks to the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, our country has a little system in place called the "spoils system" ... which would've eventually come into play at some point. Basically, the "spoils system" allows authority figures such as the President, to appoint who he or she pleases to fill the roles of the President's cabinet. Granted, the President must present the cabinet candidates to the Senate for approval of a two thirds majority vote, but the President is still primarily responsible for whom he or she surrounds himself/herself with. These Cabinet members have a lot of responsibilities, and there's a lot of them. (Including: The Vice President, and Attorney General. Not to mention the Secretaries of the Departments of: State,Treasury, Defense, Interior, Agriculture,Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Education, Energy, Veteran's Affairs, Homeland Security, and even more positions on the White House Chief of Staff.) So before you vote, think about whom you trust more to surround themselves with the most qualified, and healthiest people for the job.
5. The Supreme Court
The highest law of the land. The next President of the United States will be appointing one to four Supreme Court Justices. Depending on whether you prefer the Court to rule more liberally or conservatively, the next President matters, because the potential majority of the bench will be up to them. And Justices rule for life...so the next president may only have power for four to eight years, but the Justices will have a lot more than that. So, before voting this November, think about how much you trust the candidate to appoint Justices that you would be okay with.
Takeaway lesson: Think about all aspects of the Presidency and Government before you cast your vote this November!
