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Why do we elect presidents, again? To help the economy?

In the few weeks since the general election "began," GM has closed truck plants to focus on fuel efficient products: http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/03/news/companies/gm_announcement/index.htm?cnn=yes Gas prices have come down below $4: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/wrgp/mogas_home_page.html Pending home sales are up: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080807/bs_nm/usa_economy_housing_dc;_ylt=AqHrR8x_qzu2kU3An4vaWQq573QA Isn't the free market great? Shouldn't the next president and congress just leave it alone? Anon Y: Come on, election season is no time for legalisms. The President is not some grand administrator,...or at least that's not what people think they are voting for. The point...candidates who try to persuade people that they can improve the economy by intervening are just pandering. Voters should see beyond such promises. Anon Y: No doubt a law school graduate such as yourself understands that the president is empowered to recommend legislation to Congress,...as well as sign bills into law. These policy making powers lie at the heart of the substance of presidential campaigns. Stop playing dumb.

Public Comments

1. yes they should, but they love the power
2. yes they should - but they wont. Presidents cant help but tinker
3. The motto of the current Congress. "IF it aint broke, break it" Congress stinks worse than my gym socks Liberals scare me
4. Actually we elect Presidents to faithfully execute the federal laws, not directly to help the economy. One would hope, however, that in executing the laws, the President would be mindful of what will or will not help the economy. I dont' see your point. Edit: I guess I don't think of the United States Constitution as a mere "legalism." The document does in fact describe the President as a "grand administrator," more or less. If you disagree with the President having that Constitutional role, then you should be posting questions over in "Law & Ethics" recommending a rewirte of Article 3 of the Constitution.
5. Does the president affect your driving/purchasing habits. YOU are the problem. I am too. Americans need to not be wasteful and should look after each other. Instead of being selfish. and feeling like we are master traders for thinking we saved $10. You make all of your purchasing decisions. and whether or not you HAVE to use a car that runs on gasoline. YOU YOU YOU not the government. you have the mindset that causes people to burn the american flag in the streets cause their dictator has convinced them that the U.S. is the source of their angst and misery.
6. If you are just tired of our two party system and the two choices we have, vote Bob Barr in '08. http://www.bobbarr2008.com/splash/?s0618
7. How about undo the 'help' they already gave it? Yes, I am all for free markets and for the government butting out. And taking the private Fed with them. (Or at least limiting its powers and making it transparent and accountable so when they are printing money madly we can respond to that.)