In reviewing short term history and my, perhaps limited, view of the constitution, especially the separation of powers, the unilateral authority vested in the President is very limited to say the least. My understanding is that he can make appointments, if congress is recessed, grant pardons, make recommendations, and approve or veto (which can be overridden) bills and other legislation, give guidance and set the tone and goals of his/her administration regarding priorities. BUT his unilateral authority to do or implement policy or programs is strictly limited to what congress (house and/or senate) will agree to pass or approves such as budgets, spending, taxes, judicial appointments, trade, and foreign policy to name a few. For example, congress approved the Bush tax cuts, congress approved NAFTA, congress approved the most recent supreme court justices, the war in the middle east, etc, etc…. so it seems to me that a large amount of the credit or blame for all the current problems perceived by the American public should be placed not just on the Bush administration but on the congress as well. This shared responsibility should be applied for finding solutions to problems as well as placing blame. To the best of my knowledge there is nothing to prevent congress from suggesting or passing legislation/solutions to issues like, immigration, border security, energy, high costs of gasoline, Medicare, health insurance, social security, etc. without waiting for the next President. In fact, as I see it, the critical choice of our next President should be for the one that you think can best provide CONTROL over a, most likely, democratic majority congress and its perceived agenda of increased government involvement in our personal lives, higher overall taxes, environmental issues without regard for the overall health of the economy, a lesser commitment to combat Islamic Fundamentalism, abortion rights, and the independence of the American way of life to name a few. GOD BLESS AMERICA!