Could YOU actually DO IT?

[MechAg94]

The most important question:  Since Congress would probably not agree to abolish the BATFE, who would you appoint to run it? 

[wmenorr67]

I would run it.

Acutally would have it rolled up under the DOJ where my Atty General is in charge.

[Werewolf]

See Chris and jfuser's posts. They get what I am asking perfectly.

I'm probably projecting but IMO - not as many people who think they can deal with the stress of making decisions that impact millions of people's lives could actually do it for 8 years let alone 4 and come out sane.

Seems to me that in order to complete a presidency sane or at least not totally depressed you'd have to really, really believe that what you do is for the greater good and that the good consequences outweigh the bad consequences no matter how dire or be so emotionally detached from what you do as to make it not matter at all. Otherwise the emotional strain would/could really mess you up.

If I had to bet I'd guess that few if any presidents fall into the true believer category but instead are just power hungry individuals emotionally detached from the consequences of the decisions they make.

[Racehorse]

Every decision at that high level is going to hurt someone. Doing nothing at all will also hurt someone. I think the key to being able to live with yourself is staying true to what you believe in and making decisions that will go toward the greater good.

Just as an example, eliminating the IRS and moving the nation to a flat tax would hurt a lot of people. The IRS employs thousands of people, who would all lose their jobs. A lot of tax accountants would be out of a job. But it would be a huge benefit to business, freedom, the economy, and society as a whole. How would I live with putting all those people out of work? Knowing that many more jobs were created than lost and that America as a whole is better off would leave me with a clear conscience.

Of course that's all on a theoretical level. Would I really be able to handle the stress of that job? Not in a million years. I would go completely nuts.

[MicroBalrog]

The most important question:  Since Congress would probably not agree to abolish the BATFE, who would you appoint to run it? 

The Gun Control Act of 1968 authorizes the executive to exclude a specific model or make of gun from the NFA entirely. Just write out an EO and staple a copy of the Blue Book of Gun Values to the back.

[Balog]

See Chris and jfuser's posts. They get what I am asking perfectly.

I'm probably projecting but IMO - not as many people who think they can deal with the stress of making decisions that impact millions of people's lives could actually do it for 8 years let alone 4 and come out sane.

Seems to me that in order to complete a presidency sane or at least not totally depressed you'd have to really, really believe that what you do is for the greater good and that the good consequences outweigh the bad consequences no matter how dire or be so emotionally detached from what you do as to make it not matter at all. Otherwise the emotional strain would/could really mess you up.

If I had to bet I'd guess that few if any presidents fall into the true believer category but instead are just power hungry individuals emotionally detached from the consequences of the decisions they make.

I think I could. But then I'm an emotionally detached, heartless bastard. And since the main result of my Presidency would be revocation of a lot of years of evil I think I'd be ok.

[MechAg94]

See Chris and jfuser's posts. They get what I am asking perfectly.

I'm probably projecting but IMO - not as many people who think they can deal with the stress of making decisions that impact millions of people's lives could actually do it for 8 years let alone 4 and come out sane.

Seems to me that in order to complete a presidency sane or at least not totally depressed you'd have to really, really believe that what you do is for the greater good and that the good consequences outweigh the bad consequences no matter how dire or be so emotionally detached from what you do as to make it not matter at all. Otherwise the emotional strain would/could really mess you up.

If I had to bet I'd guess that few if any presidents fall into the true believer category but instead are just power hungry individuals emotionally detached from the consequences of the decisions they make.

I agree with you on that.  I may think I could do the job, but I doubt I would want to for any length of time.  If they can't find someone better qualified than me, they aren't looking. 

[Tallpine]

Actually, I think we should just have a lottery and pick a name out of the hat for president.  It would save a lot of trouble and I don't think we could come up with any worse result than the present system.

[grampster]

Mr. William F. Buckley probably had the best idea.  "I'd rather be governed by the first 200 people in the Boston phone book than the faculty of Harvard."

As to the original post.  Personally, I'd do the job.  The decision making required has to do with one's ability to believe in and abide by the Constitution.  My decisions would be governed by that document.  In so doing my conscience would be clear.  Though at times my heart might be heavy, there is honor in seeing to it that our union was sustained and nurtured by that document and those who love what it ordains. 

As for the sacrifices that might be required?  Well, in the pursuit of adherence to our guiding principals those sacrifices would be noble and I would see to it that a grateful nation would pay whatever price needed to be paid in order that  those sacrifices were not in vain.  First to those who have sacrificed and to their families.  Everything else comes after that.

[roo_ster]

The most important question:  Since Congress would probably not agree to abolish the BATFE, who would you appoint to run it? 

The Gun Control Act of 1968 authorizes the executive to exclude a specific model or make of gun from the NFA entirely. Just write out an EO and staple a copy of the Blue Book of Gun Values to the back.

That's brilliant!

I think I need a tissue, I got something in my eye...

[Tallpine]

The whole problem as I see it, is that anybody who wants to be President is a power-hungry control freak and therefore neither qualified nor appropriate for the job

[doc2rn]

That is too easy. Of course and the first two things I would do are:
1) Repeal NAFTA
2) Mandate that all cars be Flex or Alternate fuel vehicles within 3 yrs.

[MicroBalrog]

That is too easy. Of course and the first two things I would do are:
1) Repeal NAFTA
2) Mandate that all cars be Flex or Alternate fuel vehicles within 3 yrs.

Under what authority?

[Werewolf]

That is too easy. Of course and the first two things I would do are:
1) Repeal NAFTA
2) Mandate that all cars be Flex or Alternate fuel vehicles within 3 yrs.

Under what authority?

Exactly!

The president doesn't have near as much power as people believe. His main job is to enforce the law and put the brakes on congress with his veto power. He can influence all he wants and some of them are quite effective at it but still that's just influence.

Unfortunately the illiterate boobs in the MSM have transferred their take on the presidents power to the illiterate masses and convince them the president can just about do what ever he wants. Cult of personality is the way of things in the USA today.

[DJJ]

I'd do as little as possible. I'd call on Congress to repeal gun control and introduce some kind of "Second Amendment Revitalization Act", I'd remove the F from BATF somehow, and maybe appoint a secretary to the job of promoting gun ownership, then I'd round up the surviving Apollo astronauts and demand they regale me with stories.

[MicroBalrog]

The president doesn't have near as much power as people believe. His main job is to enforce the law and put the brakes on congress with his veto power. He can influence all he wants and some of them are quite effective at it but still that's just influence.

Well TBH, the President can throw a giant wrench into the works through his control of the Federal Agencies.

The President, under current law, can:

1. Declare a given substance to be, or not to be, a drug - so he could legalize marijuana at executive fiat.

2. Remove weapons from the NFA's purview, so he can end gun control in America in a sweep of his pen.

3. Pardon people by the thousand.

4. Veto. Veto. Veto.

5. Similar to 1 and 2 with other regulatory agencies.