Presidential Powers of Reagan and Obama - Research Paper Example

Presidential powers of Reagan and Obama President Ronald Reagan In 1980, Reagan became the president of US after defeating Jimmy Carter. Reagan wounded in an assassination immediately after he took office. He adopted the policies on supply side economics to promote rapid growth of the US economy and reduce deficit of the federal government. In 1981, the congress approved most of his proposals that succeeded in the lowering of the national inflation although it doubled the national debt in 1986. He is the first US president who began the buildup of military peacetime when he proposed the construction of strategic defense initiative unit in 1983. During his reign, his administration concluded an important treaty with Soviet Union in order to restrict the intermediate range for nuclear weapons conducted in a proxy war with Nicaragua through the services it offered on the contras. Thus, it invaded the grenade ostensibly to prevent the Soviet Island from becoming an outpost of the Soviet. In 1984, Reagan was re-elected by a huge margin back to the white house. This paper will analyze the presidential powers of Reagan during his reign as the president of the US. Reagan’s taking office that was ushered shortly in his popular acceptance for supply of the side economics both with bellicosity abroad and at home. He was given a political honeymoon after an unsuccessful assassination attempts in 1981. The democrats in the north and the south supported President Reagan’s domestic policy (Cannon 33-35). He therefore instituted a program that focused on phasing out taxes and increasing expenditures on defense of the government. Furthermore, education and welfare budgets were cut, and unanimously accepted, by the congress (Lawson 38). This was a deregulation program of business and a measure of tightening control of information concerned about the government. During his reign, Reagan’s staff contemplated on legislation of the British secret acts until they realized that loyalty was paramount for the detection of the lies. In the foreign policy, other countries were alarmed due to the frank nature of the triumphant of the American rhetoric and determination of the administration in imposing the leadership in America and its priorities. He used his position as the president to pressure for the catapulted movement of the NATO in to order increase expenditures on military. For instance, Reagan affronted even Margaret a staunch supporter to sell grains to USSR to raise money to boost the military. This was like pleasing the agribusiness sector aimed at supporting the US subsidiaries companies that based in Europe. He also managed to prevent Western Europe from importing natural gas, which Russia demanded. The fears of the nuclear weapons receded when Reagan agreed to limit his expenditure on arms talks with Russia and reduced on the tone of the bellicose rhetoric. This progress passed in a summit held in Geneva with Russian president Gorbachev. Reagan’s domestic policies of the US recessed the economy, which meant that his re-election was uncertain. In 1984 November, he got a huge margin of the votes than 1980 election. He exercised peace abroad and gained fame locally. His policy of not ruling but reigning made him famous and extended his congressional action. Furthermore, Reagan presided over for the breakup of USSR claiming victory in the cold war. He was rhetoric a symbolic conservative thinker whose legacy became a strong boom to the economy. He recaptured the national confidence and decayed the spirit of the community that resulted from community inequalities. Most symbolically, he tripled the national debt for US (Owen 235). During his reign for two terms, Reagan sought through all means to reduce domestic programs of the US federal government (Cannon 123). During his first years in office, he adopted the theory of the supply side to stimulate the production and the control of the high inflation by cutting the tax and reducing federal spending. 1982, was the year of major recession characterized by economic growth and massive defense spending and increase in the national debt. Reagan’s policy defined by antipathy towards Soviet Union that he called evil empire. He advocated for preparedness of the impeding war with Soviet Union and the associates globally. He exhorted patriotism by presiding over military buildup of peacetime in the record of the US. It is projected that he spent over $2.4 trillion for the armed forces, which was $536 more than the previous year. He invested massively in the new weapons such as missiles, planes, ships, and tanks that acted as strategic defense initiative for the impeding war. This done to make Soviet Union bankrupt and build stronger America. Reagan also waged support to the anti-soviet guerilla attacks in that he sent marine ships to wage attacks in Beirut on the Christian militia but withdrew them when a bomb killed about 241 people on October 1983. On October the same year, he ordered for the US troop for the invasion of the Grenada that centered in Caribbean. In Caribbean, pro-Castro military troop had invaded and seized power where they endangered the American students. Reagan supported the El Salvador government in Central America in the battle with the leftist soldiers. In addition, he was also determined to overthrow soviet learning Sandinista reign in Nicaragua through provision of direct support to the guerilla warriors and the anti-communist guerillas. His popularity plumed when a congressional meeting in 1987 ascertained that illegal Iran contra affair received military weapons from the council security and financed the group. His fame retained when Mikhail Gorbachev, a soviet leader who agreed to reduce on intermediate and short missiles. Thus, the two countries agreed to destroy strategic war between them. However, Reagan claimed that the fall of Soviet Union was a result of US aggressiveness during the cold war era. He also attributed the fall of soviet to covert operations and military spending (Kedar 102). After winning elections, he promised to change many areas in the US government. The first thing he promised to change was the direction of the supreme and federal courts. The judiciary inspired by liberalism under the chief justice Earl Warren of the Supreme Court (Kernell 98-99). It had moved to exercise judgments and making of the policy. Reagan made a pledge to the people by getting the government off and returning the courts to proper and limited roles of the constitution. In this case, Reagan had the mandate to nominate with the senate’s consent in appointing federal judges. Reagan took these powers in a positive manner and vowed to appoint judges who had similar judicial restraint. He yearned to change the court system completely by injecting new blood in the legal system of US. During his reign, he managed to appoint 372 article III judges of the federal courts and 290 district judges, 4 supreme courts judges and 78 court of appeal. Through his efforts to change the judicial system, he was accused of appointing those who were in similar philosophical terms with his. He is recognized as the first US president who established full diplomatic relationships with Vatican. Within few months of his inaugural, Reagan appealed an 1868 federal law that prohibited expenditure of funds for the US embassy in Vatican. In 1984, he established diplomatic relationship between US and the Vatican. He exercised his powers despite the oppositions he received from the secretary’s office. During his reign, the union of federal traffic control went on a serious strike. The workers rampaged violating against the federal law that prohibited the government unions from the strike. The situation declared an emergency in 1947 by the Taft Hartley act. He went in contrary to this and reported that those who did not report to work will be terminated. Reagan terminated 11,345 striking workers who had ignored his order. He used supervisors and other military controllers in handling commercial air traffic for some time until new recruits could be selected. As a demonstration, firing of the PATCO employees meant that the president was the controller of bureaucracy and was a sign to the private sector that the unions were not to be feared (Cannon 214). Reagan is renowned for escalating the cold war by accelerating reversal from policies of detente that had began in 1979 after the Soviet war held in Afghanistan. He then ordered the buildup of armed forces and later implementing new policies against the Soviet Union. He revived the B-1 Lancer program, which had been cancelled from production of MX missile. Reagan deployed NATO’s Pershing missiles in the Western Germany. Reagan renounced the soviet into ideological terms and he was greatly aided by Margaret thatcher, the UK prime minister. Moreover, Reagan asserted that the forward march towards freedom and democracy would leave Marxism and Leninism on ash heap of history. He also predicted that communism ideas would later collapse with the disintegration of USSR. Reagan argued that communism was a sad and bizarre chapter among human beings’ history thereby referring to Soviet Union as an evil empire. Under the Reagan doctrine, he provided covert and overt aid to the anti-communist resistance movement in order to roll back the soviet-backed government in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. According to Owen (123-131), Reagan deployed a special activities division Pakistan and Afghanistan to express his determination in bringing down Soviet ideologies and entrenching American hegemony, which called for democracy. These forces had the mandate to train, equip, and lead the Mujaheddin forces that was against the soviet army. He has been credited for his assistance to end the soviet occupants in Afghanistan. The US government funded the armaments that had been introduced, and could pose a threat to the troops from US in 2000 war against the Afghans. More so, he introduced strategic defense initiative that could use both ground and space systems in protecting US from attacks by nuclear ballistic missiles. Regan believed that the defense shield would make the nuclear war impossible. He also argued that technological objectives could not be easily attained because of tough economic times that the world was facing. On one hand, the soviet were concerned about the effects of the SDI would pose to the world if implemented. They believed that they would put the world in jeopardy. On the other hand, President Reagan believed that the SDI would hasten end of cold war and bring new world order. Summarily, Reagan’s policies were aggressive and imperialistic which was interpreted as war mongering. Despite this, human American conservatives that it was necessary in protecting US due to security reasons (Kedar 56-57) supported him. President Reagan seen as weak leader but he used his presidential powers to execute his plans in ensuring that the US economy is not damaged by the Cold war tensions. President barrack Obama Before being elected US president in 2008, Obama was successful in leading the Illinois as a senator. He asserted that US needed to renew its leadership globally through qualities such as diplomacy, nuclear confrontation, and revitalizing the military. After winning the 2008 presidential elections, he set a record as the first African American to become a US president. In his book dreams from my father, Obama has set out a policy on Africa. Having his roots in Africa, he was vocal in the senate on the US policy on Africa. He was concerned more about the issues in Darfur and other parts of Africa with the aim to end impunity. Obama cosigned a statement condemning the government of Sudan for its responsibility in the violence that occurred in Darfur and he demanded that the Khartoum government adhere to a complete and comprehensive peace agreement. He has also called for a no flying zone in Darfur to act as stimulation to the Sudanese government to comply with peace agreement terms. He aided in giving funds that was used in Darfur peace Agreement Act. He has also outspoken US policy over Zimbabwe where he regarded Mugabe’s government as being illegitimate due to lack of credibility. In addition, he has hastened the US government to tighten sanctions concerning Zimbabwe. He has called on the South African government to stop repression in Zimbabwe. In 2008, he called for a power sharing deal between president of the republic of Kenya Mwai Kibaki and the opposition leader Raila Oginga Odinga to step up for a coalition government and endure commitments of democracy, national unity and cooperation. Obama come up with mechanism to build up a strategic partnership with the republic of India as both have experienced huge terrorist attacks. He asserted that the two countries had fought against the al Qaeda in its ideologies and operations. He also approved his foreign policy in Asia by voting in the US-India nuclear agreement in 2008. Furthermore, Obama voted for the US and India energy security Act of 2006. He later congratulated the nuclear supply group for making a decision to allow the members to cooperate on nuclear issues with India. In his book audacity of hope, Obama has reacted to the situation in Guantanamo Bay by ordering for the closure of the bay and all the detainees released. He blames the US government for failing to recognize suspect terrorists by developing a real military system to cater for the justice of the suspects. In 2008, he allowed a decision by the supreme courts in challenging the detention of suspects in the civilian courts. He called the ruling as a very important step for re-establishing credibility of a nation that was committed to the required rule of law. He rejected the false choice that occurred between fighting terrorism and the notion of giving respect to the habeas corpus. He also criticized prosecution of the six detainees who were charged with involvement in the 9/11 attacks in US. He said that the trials were to be held in a military commission system, which had failed to convict anybody to the terrorist act after the attacks that had been included in the legal charges. According to Obama, the men were to be tried in criminal courts in US or through the military court martial. Obama had a controversial response on the NSA spying mission. On one hand Obama opposed the nomination of the former NSA chief, Mr. Michael Hayden as the CIA director. This was because of his big role in warrantless wiretapping program, which he claimed that it disapproved the avoidance of Former President Bush in the FISA oversight in the efforts of the NSA. On the other hand, he refused to join Senator Feingold and his efforts in censuring Bush over warrantless wiretapping among the US citizens. He opposed the retroactive immunity in the telecommunication company where he cooperated in the system of wiretapping. He asserted that no one was expected to get a free passage towards violating basic civil liberties for the US people. He supported the legislation of the wash post by providing communication companies with the legal immunity (D’Souza 145-146). In the Editors of the Essence Magazine, Obama has asserted that the troop that had surged in Afghanistan caused deterioration of the state’s situation. Thus, US should deploy military troops from Iraq to go Afghanistan. He was determined to send two more combats to Afghanistan to seek greater contributions with fewer restrictions that came from the NATO allies. He has added dollars to the nonmilitary budget per year, reduces corruptions, and make sure that the funds are used in investment. This was not just aimed at Kabul but the whole of Afghanistan. He considered the opportunities for negotiating with the Taliban and exploring their case. He has tried all means to criticize US policies on war on terror that had been forwarded by bush. He blames the government for failing due to the auspices that had been created by the war on terror. He asserts that people had lost trust in the US government for their purpose and principles. He says that Iraq was not the aim of the war on terror and has thus called for a counterterrorism focus the tribunal regions in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In his book a letter my daughter, Obama has been in front to promote democracy among the Arab countries (23). The expansion of democracy has benefitted us largely. He refers to the democratic countries as best trading partners for most valuable allies and US. He refers to the democratic countries as nations which US shares values. Obama has promised the US government to advance in promoting democracy by setting up a good example and banning torture and other extraordinary renditions by closing the Guantanamo bay detention camp. Obama has also promised to fund non-governmental organizations in supporting civic education about the activists in the repressive countries. He has a plan to come up with a rapid response funds meant for the young democracies in the postcolonial community, which will produce foreign relief, technical assistance, debt relief, and investment packages which show people of a hopeful country which democracy and peace bases on and abides by them. Barrack Obama adopted the energy policy by criticizing policies by bush. He unveiled his plan for American energy plan. This is the plan to control us from depending on foreign oil and provide short relief for the Americans who are victims of the high prices. Obama would introduce a windfall profit tax upon the oil companies and provide at least $1000 tax that is imposed for the married and $500 meant for the individuals. Through the rebates, it lowered the prices of the fuel. Obama also supported for the sale of about 70 million barrels that came from the petroleum reserves in US. This would lower the prices of the gases especially crude oil. This was in contrast with his earlier statement that he had put across on supply of oil from the reserves. He has set a target at 2025 where he hopes to reduce usage of oil by 7.64 million barrels in a day. He has promised to provide a more reliable and alternative energy source by investing $150 million in ten-year time. Obama has also promised to change behavior of the people in order to reduce consumption of energy. In addition, he has supported tax break s and offer of a loan to guarantee the users a better and clean source of energy such as ethanol (D’Souza 189). Obama in his book a dream of my father has been noted to take a strong Pro-Israel attitude in addressing Middle East conflict. In 2008, he said that the concept about the Jewish State is a fundamental issue that requires immediate solution. In 2008, he disapproved the new by Jimmy Carter’s decisions to try to meet the Hamas officials in Palestine. During his campaigns, he vowed never to support negotiations with the Hamas until they would renounce terrorist attacks, recognize the rights of the Israelites, and abide by the former agreement. He referred to the idea of mutual talks with the Hamas as a bad idea and vowed that he would not negotiate with the Hezbollah instead; he would negotiate with the president of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas. He has criticized the idea of Carter of including Israel as an apartheid state. Furthermore, he has refuted to the settlement of the Israel in the Palestine as helpless. Obama has further accepted to include the issue about Jerusalem included in the peace talks. He has promised that he will fund the military to Israel to continue with the cooperation of Israel in development of the missile defense system (Obama 68-70). The US Obama has used his position and power to advocate for development of international coalition in handling the nuclear crisis of North Korea. He has been quoted saying that the US government had no advantage on Korea due to Washington’s refusal to hold negotiation. He named Korea as the biggest proliferation challenge the US government is facing. He appealed to the international union to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation treaty to target countries like Korea that behaved against the set rules to face the rule of the law and sanctions. According to Fleming, Obama has broken away from the status quo of the US community in the policy against Cuba by calling for travelling and remitting more restrictions to the Cuba residents in US. He said this in 2008 when he called for the resignation of Fidel Castro as the start of a dark age in the country appealing for a more democratic transition. He later called for release of the political prisoners and appealed to US government to take steps and normalize relationships and end the five years of an embargo rule. He further said that the US government would only lift the embargo if only the country agreed to accept democracy. Concerning China, Obama has expressed interests to cooperate with China but he sees the country as a big competitor of us in the economic world. He promised to forge an effective regional frame among the Asian countries. In 2008, he condemned crackdown by the Chinese government in protesting about the Buddhist monks. He condemned the Chinese to allow Tibet to have some respect towards their culture and religion. He urged China to grant Tibet a meaningful autonomy and genuine he deserves. He wished that Dalai be granted a chance to visit china. In his policy on defense, Obama has called for a military expansion and its restructure. In 2007, he advocated for the expansion of military forces to include more sixty-five thousands members to the available troops and twenty-seven thousands mariners. He called for additional of Arabic speakers in the military force to make it sufficient. Moreover, he has offered support for the free trade policy, which does not include environmental protection and labor. He called the NAFTA trade as a bad trade that needs amendments on environment and labor. In this regard, he has asserted that US is now safer in various ways. Through his policies, Obama has been able to utilize his presidential powers by succeeding in making America safer. Works Cited Cannon, Lou. President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime. New York: PublicAffairs, 2000. Print. D’Souza, Dinesh. The Roots of Obama's Rage. New York: Regnery Publisher: 2010. Print. Editors of the Essence Magazine. The Obama in the White House: Reflections on Family, Faith and Leadership. New York: Essence Publishers, 2009. Print. Fleming, Frank. Obama: The Greatest President in the History of Everything. Boston: Broadside E-book, 2011. Kedar, Orit. Voting for Policy, Not Parties: How Voters Compensate for Power Sharing (Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics). New York: Cambridge University Press, 2009. Print. Kernell, Samuel. Going Public: New Strategies of Presidential Leadership. Boston: CQ Press, 1997. Print. Lawson, Ernest. Political Self Destruction of Most African Americans. New York: Trafford Publishers, 2010. Print. Maisel, Sandy and Brewer, Mark. Parties and Elections in America: The Electoral Process. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2007. Print. Obama, Barrack. Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. New York: Broadway, 2004. Print. Obama, Barrack. Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2010. Print. Obama, Barrack. The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. Boston: Crown, 2006. Print. Owen, David. In Sickness and in Power: Illnesses in Heads of Government During the Last 100 Years. Boston: Praeger, 2008. Print. Polsby, Nelson and Hopkins, David. Presidential elections: Strategies and structure of American Politics. New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2011. Print. Read More