Comments on: Abolish the Presidency. It’s a Useless Job.

By: Justin Williams

Justin Williams — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 04:29:00 +0000

Hello James, I have been thinking the same thoughts as yourself and others who note that the office of presidency has been elevated to a kingly status who will be our savior. The same can be said when all our hopes are put in any one person. I liked many of Ron Paul’s ideas, but it worries me to think that the success or failure of a system rests upon the shoulders of any one person. I agree totally that for certain we don’t need the office of president. And it seems so obvious I don’t understand why more people aren’t coming to the same conclusion. And I have made the point to some friends that no one person divides the country more than the president. If he is white then all the minorities feel excluded. In Obama’s case, he gets the vote of many minorities simply because he is not White rather than on his policies. And when people oppose Obama or the agenda given to Obama to promote, they are accused of being racist. All these problems could be neutralized by doing away with the office of presidency as you argue. Your article is perhaps one of the only articles related to this subject that I have found so far. Why aren’t there more people coming to these conclusions? Have you promoted this idea recently in any way?

By: Kenny

Kenny — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 18:20:00 +0000

Really interesting idea, something I’ve never thought about before though I don’t see it working in a realistic sense.

First, Article II is not that deep into the Constitution so when you say they didn’t even talk about it until then, the point is moot. They did want Congress to have more powers, which is one reason why they put Legislative first. Executive isn’t written as long because they also were writing this during the start of summer. That’s why if you look at the Constitution as a whole, each section is far shorter than the last. Because it gets miserable on the east coast during summer. Especially with no central air or fans.

You stated that “nobody has ever come back from such a low rating in their first administration to win.” After Obama’s second year he was in a three way tie for lowest with Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. One did not make it, the other became a legend in Republicans’ eyes.

Also, it is true that the veto has happened very infrequently. But do you really want to give any more power to this group of Congressmen and women? Even if you think it to be tiny powers. It’s just centralizing the power a little bit more.

And try having dignitaries come meet with all of Congress. Not only would that be confusing but it would take forever and no one would ever talk to us.

I will agree with you that something needs to be done. Our way of life is vastly different from when the founding fathers wrote the Constitution. But they also thought the Constitution would be rewritten every fifty years or so.

By: zimmett

zimmett — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 01:30:00 +0000

After reading his a second time I believe I will post this “message” on facebook. Most of my facebook friends love Obama and hate Romney. Personally I cannot stand either one of them. I believe James Altucher is correct in his assumptions. We should eliminate this position for good. Besides I’m sick of politics and its only August 3rd.

By: scrobTV

scrobTV — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:58:00 +0000

Maybe it would be enough to let people know that 25-33% of women in the US Army (according to their own probably lowered estimates) get raped or otherwise sexually abused by their male fellow soldiers. Who would tell their daughter it’s a good idea to join that club? I don’t see how more voting power would change something that obviously problematic. It’s a lack of knowledge due to a lack of reports on the topic.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:41:00 +0000

Democracy is crap/trap/scam and a giant Ponzi scheme.
Voting in elections is NOT democracy.

By: David Gay

David Gay — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:56:00 +0000

Just about everything you write is beautiful. Please don’t stop.

Signed,
A Fan

By: Stephen Sadowski

Stephen Sadowski — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:28:00 +0000

That’s a great read. Hoppe has some fascinating insights.

By: fubar

fubar — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:30:00 +0000

illegal aliens?

By: fubar

fubar — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:15:00 +0000

most people see shopping malls far more frequently than they do city hall, this one of many things in the built environment that has very serious consequences that is usually not considered. the physical, built environment has a much greater infuence on culture than most people realize. america has made a lot of bad decisions and is not living with the consequences of the ugliness and corruption of “Public space”, including as reflected in the relationship between “inner space” and “public space”. public space inspires, via deep collective aspects of consciousness, the private integrity of people.

without integrity and virtue, there can be no freedom or democracy.

By: fubar

fubar — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:07:00 +0000

those were viking and goth kings, not romans.

the real problem is that america became an imperial system, a plutocracy/kleptocracy, run by and for the rich people, the veneer of democracy/republic was maintained, not its true spirit.

Alexis de Toqueville predicted in 1840 that american democracy would degenerate because of multiculturalism, producing a “weak and servile people”.

the sheeple are used to being lied to, deceived, and having their worse instincts pandered to by sleazy politicians. they have no interest in the dreadful, unvarnished truth, or fighting for a better way of life.