Reply #29: I'm not sure your argument and conclusion could withstand close scrutiny

[kristopher]

You wrote, "We have a weak executive in the United States, and that's by design."

While that is to an extent true, that design was weak relative to a King. When compared to executive authority in most parliamentary democracies, however, there is an almost universal tendency for independent executives that are also commanders in chief, to accumulate ever more power. The eventual outcome of the process historically has been the assumption of control of government by military interests.

While it isn't specific to your main point that Obama couldn't accomplish his agenda because he isn't a king, I felt it was worth mentioning just to make sure the "weak executive" comment wasn't misapplied.

Patriot Act anyone?

How about a war in Libya?