Richard Nixon And The Notion Of Presidential Power :: essays research papers

Richard Nixon and the Notion of Presidential Power"Actions which otherwise would be unconstitutional, could become lawfulif undertaken for the purpose of preserving the Constitution and the Nation."The idea that certain actions are not ineligible if used to preserve the bestinterests of a dry land has drawn sharp criticism from the time of Lincoln throughtoday. Presidents of the United States do take a solemn whammy in which theypromise to . . . preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the UnitedStates, but the means which they produce employed to accomplish these ends get togreatly differed and have occasionally sparked great controversy. Theunjustified means which Richard Nixon used to defend this nation and itsConstitution have drawn a great deal of attack not only on his methods but alsoon the greater notion of Presidential power.     Many Presidents have faced many different tumultuous challenges andobstacles which have posed potential threats to American societal stability andsecurity. Yet very few have used such controversial means to overcome thesethreats. For example, later on the birth of the nation, Executives faced thethreats of political division and the ideas of the many dangerous pathsprescribed for the Union. As the debate over slavery escalated, the future ofthe states and of the Union seemed uncertain. Furthermore, as the nation movedrapidly through the Industrial Revolution, the future of the nations laborforce and of its general welfare seemed uncertain. As time passed, the nationwould encounter the greatest economical depression of all time, and the challengeswould continue. Our nation would still battle the divisive issues of racism anddiscrimination. Yet none of the Presidents who governed during these daringtimes exploited the authority of their position in unwarranted manners. TheNixon Administration would however, exploit its authority and attempt to justifyits actions based on the similar actions of Abraham Lincoln.     During the Civil War, this nations greatest test of will and spirit,President Lincoln tangle it incumbent upon the President to assume certainauthority and responsibility not specifically granted to the Executive by theConstitution. His rationale stemmed from his desire and oath to preserve theConstitution and the Union as a whole. On the eve of the Civil War, Lincoln,fearing a strong Confederate threat, initiated a blockade of all southerly portsordering no vessels in or out of the South. Clearly an act of war, Lincolnfaced immediate challenge from Congress and Confederate leaders. His reasoning,though, for carrying out such a dangerous and controversial act was his beliefthat it would tame the South and prevent massive bloodshed in the future.