So what is a U.S. President's true purpose?

[Hexen]

So I notice that U.S. Presidents aren't really sole leaders of the country but are they are actually "commander & chief" of imperialism? What is the President's true purpose in the capitalist system?

[Luisrah]

So I notice that U.S. Presidents are really sole leaders of the country but are they are actually "commander & chief" of imperialism? What is the President's true purpose in the capitalist system?

Being a puppet I suppose.

My guess is if Obama doesn't do what he's told, he gets a bullet in his head.

[IndependentCitizen]

To ensure the corporations continue their exploitation of the world's resources and population through manipulative speeches, and ridiculous policies.

[graymouser]

"The executive of the modern state is but a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie." - Marx & Engels, The Communist Manifesto.

Now, that does not of course capture the entire essence of the modern American state. The more refined understanding of the state in a Marxist sense, of course, includes the famous definition of bodies of armed men with prisons etc at their disposal. And the President of the United States is responsible for that as well. But I think the truth is captured rather elegantly in the line of Marx and Engels that the executive branch boils down to a committee at the whim of the ruling class, enforcing its common goals and attending to its common needs.

If you want to get into particulars about how the American presidency works, well, there's quite a lot of nuance. At different times in history different blocs of capital have come behind both the Democratic and Republican parties. In 2008 Wall Street wanted Democrats to force through the bailout measures; in 2010 they wanted Republicans to cut the budget and help cut short any measures toward social programs. That's the way this sort of momentum shifts back and forth. In a democracy of course it's a rather blunt-edged process, carrying other whole agendas piggybacked onto the two parties, but on the whole it's a question of alliances of capitalists backing this or that candidate in order to achieve certain goals.

As for the "commander in chief of imperialism," well, my history professor likened empire to riding astride two tigers. Even if a well-intentioned person gets elected to the presidency, they'd still have to do something about the tigers they're riding. (In other words, the internal logic of empire is going to dictate a good deal of what any President is going to do regardless of subjective intentions.)

[Reznov]

Being a puppet I suppose.

My guess is if Obama doesn't do what he's told, he gets a bullet in his head.

This pretty much.

Bullet not so, just tell him he will lose all of his positions and power if he does a dumb move like that.

[Broletariat]

This pretty much.

Bullet not so, just tell him he will lose all of his positions and power if he does a dumb move like that.

Didn't Roosevelt almost face a coup? I think a bullet isn't so far off, especially with things like the Tea Party.

[Sensible Socialist]

This pretty much.

Bullet not so, just tell him he will lose all of his positions and power if he does a dumb move like that.
If he took a serious stand against his corporate backers, I'm not sure of the lengths they would go to in order to silence him.

More sinister things have been done in the name of preserving capitalism and power structures.

[Jesus-was-a-socialist]

Hello everyone!! I'm knew here, but I thought I'd try and help you all. The purpose of the president is not to serve the people, but to serve god, for he serves not only the people, but all of existence.

Glad I could help :thumbup1:

[Jesus-was-a-socialist]

I'm new here, but I'll contribute. his purpose is to serve god

Thanks for being so great!! :lol:

[Sickle-A]

To renew the face on the same old story

[Ocean Seal]

The purpose of the Republicans is to justify oppression, the purpose of the Democrats is to provide a false opposition to oppression. Thus the purpose of both parties is to maintain oppression. Notice how many more Republicans win the Presidency and they always seem more aggressive, its not a coincidence. The Democrats can talk big about change, but they don't deliver.

[eric922]

I will say this, to his credit FDR did oppose the corporations to an extent and was hated for it and called a traitor to his class and nearly faced a Fascist coup.

[Fulanito de Tal]

The purpose of the American government is to provide the perception of a neutral government in order to allow the bourgeoisie to exploit the proletariat. We are taught that the population controls the government through elections. However, we aren't taught that to be considered a serious candidate for president, that person has to meet the criteria set by the ruling class. Candidate do not represent the interests of the proletariat, only the bourgeoisie. Therefore, we think that we have freedom, but that is an illusion.

The president and congressmen fill the individual roles to complicate the trick more, making it more difficult to see. For example, we think, "Well, Obama couldn't get the public option passed because of the Republicans." That is wrong. The whole debate was a show to give the perception that it did not happen due to a compromise. Of course there was not going to be a public option. There would be too much possible profit lost if it was passed. Just like this, all of the bickering back and forth in congress is a show. Those people are actors selected for their ability to dupe the population.

[AfricanAztecSamurai]

So I notice that U.S. Presidents aren't really sole leaders of the country but are they are actually "commander & chief" of imperialism? What is the President's true purpose in the capitalist system?
the presidents only purpose is to give people an illusion that they are an active part of the political system,by "electing" him.hehas no power,the white house is a facade.its the people behind the scenes that run the show,the real leaders of the world are the richest,most powerful people in the world working together to keep the proletariat down/ignorant.this is where all the secret societies,the bulderbergs,illuminati,etc. come in.why is it 90% of the wealth is owned by the 10% of the elitists?think about it.the minute the so-called comander-in-cheif steps out of line and stops doing what he's told it's another jfk.as they say history doesn't repeat itself but it sure rhymes

[eric922]

I remember a scene in Micheal Moore's "Capitalism" where the president of some company told Reagan to speed up his speech, shows you held power there.

[NoOneIsIllegal]

I remember a scene in Micheal Moore's "Capitalism" where the president of some company told Reagan to speed up his speech, shows you held power there.
I haven't seen the movie, but if it was before he was president, that would make sense. Before he was president, he use to do speaking tours (50s and 60s, I believe) for General Electric, that had many conservative and pro-business points in them. If it was during his presidency, well... I guess I wouldn't be surprised either!

[rainbowdaze]

Just kind of repeating what everyone else said is that the president is just a puppet. They're just in for the cut of the deal and the power of being the president of the U.S.

[Dragovich]

I haven't seen the movie, but if it was before he was president, that would make sense. Before he was president, he use to do speaking tours (50s and 60s, I believe) for General Electric, that had many conservative and pro-business points in them. If it was during his presidency, well... I guess I wouldn't be surprised either!

Fun fact: Ronald Reagan used to be a New Dealer-style Democrat before his acting career and his first marriage went to shit. Him working with General Electric and reading a book whose name I forgot turned him into a hard-core conservative Republican. Another fun tidbit about Reagan is that he and Robert Kennedy, brother of JFK, had a debate concerning Vietnam.

[Joe Payne]

Fun Fact: he also tried to join the communist party, but was eventually talked out of it by a communist because he felt Reagan was too flaky to be in the party. :lol:

[Dragovich]

Fun Fact: he also tried to join the communist party, but was eventually talked out of it by a communist because he felt Reagan was too flaky to be in the party. :lol:

Fun fact: Reagan support the right for unions to collectively bargain and land redistribution policies in South Vietnam, ironic ain't it? :lol:

Learning history is fun!