Breakdown of Executive Branch

 The men who wrote the Constitution of the United States were opposed to the idea of an all- powerful head of state. America's Founding Fathers thought of the presidency as an office of great honor and dignity, but one with little real power.  The American colonists in general favored the parliamentary system of government but did not believe that all governmental powers should rest within any one body. So, in framing the Constitution, they provided for three separate branches--legislative, executive, and judicial.

 The framers of the Constitution believed that in the presidency they had created an office of prestige but little power. They would be astounded if they knew the changes that have occurred. The powers and responsibilities of the president have grown enormously. The president has become the leader of his country in fact as well as in name. His words and deeds affect the course of history not only in the United States but in every country throughout the world.

 The men who were presidents early in the history of the republic were able to carry on the duties of their office with little assistance. When George Washington served as first president of the United States, his staff consisted of a secretary, one or two clerks, and household servants who acted as messengers. But with the enormous growth in presidential power and responsibilities, the office of the presidency now must be run by a large staff. Today the president of the United States requires the assistance of over 1,500 people.

 The employees assigned to jobs directly relating to the office of the presidency are staff members of the Executive Office of the President. The Executive Office was created by Congress, but it can be reorganized by the president through executive orders.

 The original executive posts, which became the president's cabinet, were created in They were the following:  Secretary of Foreign Affairs (State)  Secretary of War  Secretary of the Treasury  Attorney General

 The present-day cabinet includes the following heads of executive departments:  Secretary of State  Secretary of the Treasury  Secretary of Defense  Attorney General (Justice Department)  Secretary of the Interior  Secretary of Agriculture  Secretary of Commerce  Secretary of Labor  Secretary of Health and Human Services  Secretary of Education  Secretary of Housing and Urban Development  Secretary of Transportation  Secretary of Energy  Secretary of Veterans Affairs  Secretary of Homeland Security

 Chief Diplomat  Presides over the state deparment

 The Secretary of the Treasury is the principal economic advisor to the President and plays a critical role in policy-making by bringing an economic and government financial policy perspective to issues facing the government.

 chief executive officer of the Department of Defense  The Secretary of Defense by statute also exercises "authority, direction and control" over the three Secretaries of the military departments (Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Navy, and Secretary of the Air Force), the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff  Interesting note- In the U.S. Armed Forces, the Secretary of Defense is often referred to as SecDef or SD. The Secretary of Defense and the President together constitute the National Command Authorities (NCA), [22] which has sole authority to launch strategic nuclear weapons. All nuclear weapons are governed by this dual-authority – both must concur before a strategic nuclear strike may be ordered.U.S. Armed ForcesNational Command Authorities [22]

 head of the Department of Justice  Is the top law enforcement officer and lawyer for the government

 The Department of the Interior oversees such agencies as the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Geological Survey, and the National Park Service

 Specific duties may relate to regulation, promotion, agricultural research, price supports and agricultural subsidies, plant diseases and invasive species  Overseas the department of agriculture

 The United States Secretary of Commerce is the head of the United States Department of Commerce concerned with business and industry  the Department states its mission to be "to foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce

 The United States Secretary of Labor is the head of the Department of Labor who exercises control over the department and enforces and suggests laws involving unions, the workplace, and all other issues involving any form of business-person controversies.

 The duties of the secretary revolve around human conditions and concerns in the United States.  They are tasked with advising the President on matters of health, welfare, and income security programs. It strives to administer the department of Health and Human Services to carry out approved programs and make the public aware of the objectives of the department

 Formulates Education Policy for the United States.  Head of the Department of Education.

 On president’s cabinet.  Tasked with increasing homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination.

 Head of Department of Transportation  Tasked with developing and coordinating policies that will provide an efficient and economical national transportation system, with due regard for need, the environment, and the national defense

 Head of the Department of Energy  Tasked with the following: energy production, regulation, finding more efficient energy sources, radioactive waste disposal, maintenance of environmental quality

 Head of Department of Veteran Affairs  this secretary is concerned with veterans' benefits and related matters

 Tasked specifically with protecting the American homeland and the safety of American citizens.  This Department is in control of the following since 9/11/01. Coast Guard, Federal Protective Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (which includes the Border Patrol), Secret Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Michael Chertoff, 2 nd Secretary of Homeland Security

 Independent establishments are created by Congress to address concerns that go beyond the scope of ordinary legislation. These agencies are responsible for keeping the government and economy running smoothly.  Central Intelligence Agency  Environmental Protection Agency  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission  Federal Election Commission  Federal Reserve System  National Aeronautics and Space Administration  Nuclear Regulatory Commission  Peace Corps  Social Security Administration  United States Postal Service There are more than independent agencies that make up the executive branch