What most American's don't understand now is that their president has the power to basically do anything he wants due to a few bills passed and the Patriot Act, which gives him supreme power while the nation is under attack, and America is currently at war with terrorism, which has been declared a 'legal war'. And they always will be at war with terrorism, so therefore, the president has executive power to do as he pleases at all times.

However, to maintain the illusion that the pres doesn't have that power, he continues to pass things through the senate and house, and they eventually get pushed through according to his agenda. However, on occasion, the people have spoken out against the president's agenda, and the president has exercised his power. How do you think 2 bailouts have been pushed through against the house? And next day at that as well... Think about it. The pres can do anything at any time, but is being very diplomatic about it.