Why Does Dickerson Believe The Presidency Is broken?A. The Office Is Too Limited In Power To Create Change And Is Not Funded.B. The Office Has Become Too Large And Has Too Many Obligations.C. The Office Is Too Corrupt And The Term Is Much Too Long.

Feb 28, 2025 by ADMIN 251 views

**The Broken Presidency: Understanding Dickerson's Concerns**

Introduction

The presidency of the United States is a powerful institution that has been at the center of American politics for over two centuries. However, in recent years, there have been growing concerns about the effectiveness and integrity of the office. One of the most prominent critics of the presidency is John Dickerson, a renowned journalist and author. In his book, "The Hardest Job in the World: The American Presidency Confronts the Challenges of Shared Power," Dickerson argues that the presidency is "broken" and in need of significant reform. But what exactly does Dickerson mean by this statement, and what are the underlying reasons for his concerns?

The Office is Too Limited in Power to Create Change

According to Dickerson, one of the primary reasons the presidency is "broken" is that it is too limited in power to create meaningful change. The office is designed to be a check on the other branches of government, but this can also make it difficult for the president to implement their agenda. Dickerson argues that the president's power is too fragmented, with too many different branches and agencies that can block or slow down their initiatives. This can lead to a lack of accountability and a sense of frustration among the public, who may feel that the president is not doing enough to address the country's problems.

The Office is Not Funded

Another reason Dickerson believes the presidency is "broken" is that it is not funded adequately. The president's budget is often subject to congressional approval, which can lead to delays and reductions in funding. This can make it difficult for the president to implement their policies and programs, and can also lead to a sense of uncertainty and instability. Dickerson argues that the president needs more control over the budget and more flexibility to allocate resources as needed.

The Office Has Become Too Large and Has Too Many Obligations

Dickerson also believes that the presidency has become too large and has too many obligations. The president is expected to be a leader, a diplomat, a commander-in-chief, and a symbol of American values, all at the same time. This can be a heavy burden, and can lead to a sense of burnout and exhaustion. Dickerson argues that the president needs to be able to focus on the most important issues and delegate tasks to others, rather than trying to do everything themselves.

The Office is Too Corrupt and the Term is Much Too Long

Finally, Dickerson believes that the presidency is too corrupt and the term is much too long. The president is often seen as a symbol of American power and influence, and this can lead to a sense of entitlement and arrogance. Dickerson argues that the president needs to be held accountable for their actions, and that the term of office should be shorter to prevent the accumulation of power and the development of a cult of personality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dickerson believes that the presidency is "broken" because it is too limited in power to create change, not funded adequately, too large and has too many obligations, and too corrupt with a term that is much too long. These are complex and interconnected issues that require a nuanced and multifaceted approach to address. By understanding the underlying reasons for Dickerson's concerns, we can begin to think about ways to reform the presidency and make it more effective and accountable to the American people.

Recommendations for Reform

So what can be done to reform the presidency and address the concerns raised by Dickerson? Here are a few possible recommendations:

Strengthen the President's Power: One way to address the issue of the president's limited power is to strengthen their ability to make decisions and take action. This could involve giving the president more control over the budget and more flexibility to allocate resources as needed.
Improve Funding: Another way to address the issue of funding is to improve the president's ability to secure funding for their initiatives. This could involve giving the president more control over the budget and more flexibility to allocate resources as needed.
Reduce the Size of the Office: One way to address the issue of the presidency being too large and having too many obligations is to reduce the size of the office. This could involve streamlining the president's staff and reducing the number of advisors and assistants.
Shorten the Term of Office: Finally, one way to address the issue of the presidency being too corrupt and the term being too long is to shorten the term of office. This could involve reducing the length of the term from four years to two years, or even to a single term.

Conclusion

Q: What do you mean by the presidency being "broken"?

A: By the presidency being "broken," I mean that it is not functioning as effectively as it should be. The president is not able to implement their agenda, and the office is not being held accountable for its actions. This can lead to a sense of frustration and disillusionment among the public, who may feel that the president is not doing enough to address the country's problems.

Q: What are the main reasons for the presidency being "broken"?

A: According to John Dickerson, the main reasons for the presidency being "broken" are:

The office is too limited in power to create change: The president's power is too fragmented, with too many different branches and agencies that can block or slow down their initiatives.
The office is not funded adequately: The president's budget is often subject to congressional approval, which can lead to delays and reductions in funding.
The office has become too large and has too many obligations: The president is expected to be a leader, a diplomat, a commander-in-chief, and a symbol of American values, all at the same time.
The office is too corrupt and the term is much too long: The president is often seen as a symbol of American power and influence, and this can lead to a sense of entitlement and arrogance.

Q: What can be done to reform the presidency and address these concerns?

A: There are several possible ways to reform the presidency and address these concerns, including:

Strengthening the president's power: Giving the president more control over the budget and more flexibility to allocate resources as needed.
Improving funding: Improving the president's ability to secure funding for their initiatives.
Reducing the size of the office: Streamlining the president's staff and reducing the number of advisors and assistants.
Shortening the term of office: Reducing the length of the term from four years to two years, or even to a single term.

Q: Why is it so difficult to reform the presidency?

A: Reforming the presidency is difficult because it is a complex and multifaceted institution that is deeply ingrained in American politics and culture. Changing the presidency would require significant changes to the Constitution and the laws that govern it, as well as a fundamental shift in the way that Americans think about the office and its role in government.

Q: What are the consequences of not reforming the presidency?

A: If the presidency is not reformed, the consequences could be severe. The president may become increasingly ineffective and disconnected from the public, leading to a sense of disillusionment and frustration among Americans. This could lead to a decline in public trust and confidence in government, as well as a rise in extremist and populist movements.

Q: What can individuals do to promote reform of the presidency?

A: Individuals can promote reform of the presidency by:

Educating themselves: Learning about the presidency and its role in government.
Getting involved: Participating in the democratic process by voting, contacting their representatives, and engaging in activism.
Supporting reform efforts: Supporting organizations and initiatives that are working to reform the presidency.
Demanding change: Demanding that their elected representatives take action to reform the presidency.

Conclusion

The presidency is a complex and multifaceted institution that is in need of significant reform. By understanding the underlying reasons for the presidency being "broken," we can begin to think about ways to make the presidency more effective and accountable to the American people. Whether it is strengthening the president's power, improving funding, reducing the size of the office, or shortening the term of office, there are many possible ways to reform the presidency and make it more responsive to the needs of the American people.