This: Yours is an inherited political position, whereas ours is by election (even if it only indirectly traces back to the citizens). We did not want a George III thrust upon us then, and we still don’t want that now.

(I would prefer our system of installing political leaders & decision-makers involve demonstrated merit, too, but I guess we can’t have everything…)

The USA president runs the military, makes treaties, approves or rejects the budget, and wields congressional veto. All are subjected to congressional approval and/or over-ride. Just what do you believe the USA presidents powers are—- dictatorial? The only real power that USA presidents have is the executive order, and Obama used it less than it has been in 120 years.

Obama does not get to decide gun regulation (your example). Obama does not get to decide shutting down the USA’s torture facilities. Obama does not get to decide is the USA will have a national health care system or not. Nor dictate equal rights for women, black people, homosexuals, and poor people; nor dictate the right to vote; nor dictate police officers to stop killing people; nor dictate that all states expand Medicare; etc.

re the above – one wonders what is the point then

we have a Queen as head of state, army et al (even church!!!!!) – (I am a republican btw – in the true sense of the word)

we acknowledge she is 99% ceremonial (actually it is slightly more complicated than that)

but she seems to do pretty much what your president does (with “check and balances”) – by your description anyway

Donald Trump – the Republican candidate of our dreams! (My epicaricacy tingle is turning into epicaricacy effervescence.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2016/05/04/the-gop-awakens-to-a-trump-nightmare-come-true/
http://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/how-donald-trump-won-the-g-o-p-nomination?intcid=mod-most-popular
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/01/18/we-have-a-serious-problem?intcid=mod-most-popular

It’ll be fascinating to see how Trump attempts to balance between the party establishment and the anti-establishment discontent of his voters. Many influential Republicans have disavowed him, and the party’s donors don’t seem eager to support him. The rationale seems to be to save what can be saved, and that doesn’t include the White House.

I think that made it much easier for the Republican voter base to identify with Trump, and (in a perverse way) feel recognized and justified in their own racism, bigotry, dishonesty, and misogyny.

Remember, there was zero chance of getting even one R vote, so he was negotiating with his own party. You can’t really go on the offensive against someone whose election you supported in the first place.

I think he did a very very good job, and he has been brutally self-critical where he erred. A good man.