POLI-330N Week 5 Discussion: The Roles of Congress and The
Presidency (Option 2)
Option 2: In Sabato’s proposal for political improvement, I chose #2. Sabato’s idea that former presidents
and vice presidents should be placed in an office named “National Senator'' is an interesting title for these
previous political figures (Sabato, L., 2007).
Pros: It would force the former presidents and VPs to see how things look from the other side, meaning
from the senate’s point of view (if they hadn’t served in the senate prior to office). If the former president
or VP still had more to offer our country, it would be in our best interest to utilize them. Their experience
from being the commander in chief could offer them insight that the senate couldn’t have-how things
work after the senate votes on different issues. Being an untapped natural resource, our former presidents
and vice presidents can help utilize the sway and power they still hold to do good for the country
(Schenker, 1982, pp 550).
Cons: Would they serve 6 years or indefinitely? What if they didn’t want to be in office in any capacity
anymore? Senators are voted in as representatives of the states they hail from, but would the former
presidents and VPs represent their home states-giving that state an unfair additional vote, or would they
be representing the nation (“national senator”)? They would belong to another class altogether which is
the opposite of democracy. Being the untapped national resource, the power still held by our former
presidents and VPs could hold sway in regards that are not aimed at our country’s best interest and if the
individual wasn’t ethical to begin with, we wouldn’t want to prolong their reign of self interest (Schenker,
1982, pp 545).
References:
Greenberg E. S., & Page B. I. (2018). The Struggle for Democracy, 2018 Elections and Updates Edition.
(12th Ed) New York: Pearson.
Sabato, L. (2007). A more perfect constitution: 23 proposals to revitalize our Constitution and make
America a fairer country. New York: Walker & Co. Schenker, A. (1982). Former Presidents: Suggestions
for the Study of an OftenNeglected Resource. Presidential Studies Quarterly.
Presidency (Option 2)
Option 2: In Sabato’s proposal for political improvement, I chose #2. Sabato’s idea that former presidents
and vice presidents should be placed in an office named “National Senator'' is an interesting title for these
previous political figures (Sabato, L., 2007).
Pros: It would force the former presidents and VPs to see how things look from the other side, meaning
from the senate’s point of view (if they hadn’t served in the senate prior to office). If the former president
or VP still had more to offer our country, it would be in our best interest to utilize them. Their experience
from being the commander in chief could offer them insight that the senate couldn’t have-how things
work after the senate votes on different issues. Being an untapped natural resource, our former presidents
and vice presidents can help utilize the sway and power they still hold to do good for the country
(Schenker, 1982, pp 550).
Cons: Would they serve 6 years or indefinitely? What if they didn’t want to be in office in any capacity
anymore? Senators are voted in as representatives of the states they hail from, but would the former
presidents and VPs represent their home states-giving that state an unfair additional vote, or would they
be representing the nation (“national senator”)? They would belong to another class altogether which is
the opposite of democracy. Being the untapped national resource, the power still held by our former
presidents and VPs could hold sway in regards that are not aimed at our country’s best interest and if the
individual wasn’t ethical to begin with, we wouldn’t want to prolong their reign of self interest (Schenker,
1982, pp 545).
References:
Greenberg E. S., & Page B. I. (2018). The Struggle for Democracy, 2018 Elections and Updates Edition.
(12th Ed) New York: Pearson.
Sabato, L. (2007). A more perfect constitution: 23 proposals to revitalize our Constitution and make
America a fairer country. New York: Walker & Co. Schenker, A. (1982). Former Presidents: Suggestions
for the Study of an OftenNeglected Resource. Presidential Studies Quarterly.
