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Originally Posted by Terumoto
Oh ok, so your country gives the power of probably the best military force in the world to some chum in a suit?
Shouldn't they, logically, give that kind of power to people who are experts on military tactics, people who understand the consequences of warfare and are experienced in it?
I bet those candidates just want to live in the white house and be called the president.
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Here's how it works...
Our president is the "Commander in Chief" of the military.
He has the outright power to dispatch the military on an initial campaign anywhere he wants.
However, our government is set up in a system called "checks and balances" that keeps the three branches of government (Executive, legislative, and judicial) "balanced".
Though Bush can deploy the military, only our Congress can officially declare war. That means, the president, though he has the power to send the army out, has to get the funding from Congress. And, if Congress disagrees with the president's actions, they can simply refuse to sign any bill extending the budget of said campaign.
As far as Generals are concerned, they are in control on the ground. But, as you know, everything goes back to the president because generals have to answer to our Secretary of Defense, whom the president appoints.
Basically, the president is the most powerful man in the world.
However, congress, as a whole, has more power than he does.
Also, don't sleep on our Supreme Court. They have a ton of power as well, basically deciding upon policies that affect culture and society for decades.
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