What exactly is the job of the president? Everyone seems to think that he runs the country, but what power does he actually have?  The official oath of the president is  "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." What does the constitution say what the president's job is? 
       The job of the president is to, "act as the head of his political party, the chief representative of the government, and the country's popular leader." (source) He also is the chief executive, commander in chief, foreign policy director, and the legislative leader. All of these jobs that are wrapped up in one title, President of the United States, have many different details that go along with the name. The president has the power to veto and bills that congress votes for and he also influences the way the bill or law will go. He works with other nations and the military to keep relationships peaceful and our country strong.

          The Constitution is very precise about what the country needs in a president. There are exact specifications that must be met including these. The president can be impeached if he is not doing his job, or he creates "drama" like Bill Clinton did. The president needs to think about the benefits and the harm thta hs actions will cause. (Sobel)

        Obviously the Constitution says that a president cannot serve longer than 2 terms, or 8 years. However, it is the president's job to uphold the standards of the Constitution.  “The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times,” Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote. “Liberty and security can be reconciled; and in our system they are reconciled within the framework of the law.” (source)

          The job of the president is very important. When it is done right, the president should oversee the Supreme Court, Congress etc,  to make sure they are abiding to the standards set in the Constitution. He should be sure to keep our country strong and establish relationships with other countries. He should have an advisor committee to keep him in track and to make sure that he does not make any sudden moves that will put the United States in trouble or peril. He does not have as much power as everyone thinks he does however.

Bausum, Ann and Barack Obama. Our Countries Presidents: All you need to know About the Presidents, from... National Geographic Books. 2009.

Sobel, Sly How the U.S. Government Works. Baron's Educational Series Inc.. 1999. New York.

         John Locke was a British philosopher who was widely known in the 17th century. One of his most well known documents, the 2nd Treatise on Government influenced our country's founders quite a bit.  His primary argument was that all people are equal and all have rights that should be guaranteed. He thought that a democracy was the best way to go, which gave power or sovereignty to the people. 
       The most impressive document that  John Locke influenced is the Declaration of Independence, there are direct quotes in the document. It is amazing how much Locke's ideas affected our country so much today. John Locke also influenced people on a personal level. Even though they were some of the founding fathers for our nation, you can clearly see his thoughts in documents by; James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson.

        One of his biggest ideas was the idea men should hold the power of the government. He believed that men had the right to dissolve the government if they felt the need to. He felt that the people should have the power and be the majority, not the government. This has had a major effect on government today. His basic concepts formed our democracy.  He felt that men needed the power to defend their liberty and protect their rights.

         A thing that he really stressed is that all people are treated equally.  All people should have the same rights, not just the upper class, but everyone. He specifies that there rights were granted by the government, however they were not under the government. Even though it does not happen as much as it should,  all people are supposed to be treated equally. He also says that we have rights to have property, life, and liberty.

       He truly believed that the government existed for the people's benefit. He wanted the people to hold the power. He believed in rights and equal opportunity for everybody. Locke had a major effect on the founders of our nation. More people should read this book, more government classes should require this book.

       
Locke, John. The Second Treatise on Government.

         Hackett Publishing. 1980.

Warburton, Nigel. Philosophy: The Clasics.

       2001.