Sit Down Mr. President!

In light of the recent dictates on contraception, religion and health insurance emanating from the White House, I believe that it is time to review the duties, responsibilities and authorities of the office of the President of the United States of America.  The office of the President and its attendant powers are set out in Article II of the Constitution, and it's a very short Article.  The President is the executive officer of the agencies of the Executive Branch of the federal government.  He is not the executive officer of the Congress, the federal Courts, the States, individual citizens, private businesses or private organizations.  Thus he may direct the activities and spending of those federal agencies under his control, but that's it.  He cannot direct anyone else or anything else to spend or not spend or do or not do anything.  Period.  All of this huffing and puffing about directing churches or religious benevolent organizations or insurance companies to provide this or that or spend this or that is just downright silliness.  Beyond his executive duties for federal agencies his few responsibilities mostly relate to defense, foreign policy negotiations, appointing judges and signing or vetoing legislation.  I don't see running churches, charitable organizations or private insurance companies in that list.  His law enforcement and legal agencies may investigate violations of federal law, bring perpetrators to justice and try such cases in federal court; but the President may not amend federal laws on the fly.  This idea behind an all-powerful Presidency is what drives the move to abolish the Electoral College.  Forces in this country would like to elevate the President to a virtual dictator or king with power over all aspects of the federal government, state governments, individual citizens, private business and private organizations.  These forces would like to move to popular election of the President, ignoring the fact that the President is elected by the States to serve the United States of America.  The People's direct representation in the Federal Government is the House of Representatives, the People's House.  The President's role and influence has grown far beyond it's original intent and far beyond a safe and sane level.  It is time to return the office of the Presidency to it's proper and limited role in our government, our businesses and our personal, private lives.