Isn’t Congress Far More Representative of the USA Than Most Americans Like to Believe?
The United States Congress is a bicameral legislature of the federal government which
consists of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress is joined by the
executive branch and judicial branch to form the federal government. Citizens appear to rely
solely on the president to resolve public issues and forget that Congress is the branch which is the
guarantor of liberty.
Based on my personal knowledge and actions I have witnessed, it appears as if citizens
believe the president in office and also future presidential candidates are in complete control of
the government. Unfortunately, many citizens may have forgotten that the president, found in the
executive branch, is only one branch of the government and does not possess more power than
the other two branches.
Throughout presidential campaigning it appears as if the president is the chief legislature
and provides Congress with a list of items that need to be accomplished within the presidential
term. The recently elected Barack Obama has stated he plans to execute a rise in the minimum
wage, promote affordable healthcare, and lower prescription drug costs during his presidential
term. To most Americans, the proposed changes are positive and will benefit them greatly.
However, most Americans do not realize that once Obama’s presidential term officially begins,
these changes may not occur as rapidly as they expect. In fact, these changes are not 100%
guaranteed and may not occur at all.
Citizens appear as if they have forgotten who in fact makes the proposed changes occur.
Obama may voice his opinion on particular issues and suggest necessary changes, but Obama
himself cannot make these changes happen entirely on his own. Persuading Congress is often a
difficult task and his attempts may not always be successful....