What is the 'Head of Government' in the United States?

Question

What does the 'Head of Government' do? What kind of power does he have in the U.S. Government and over the country? Is his power greater than any other in the branches of the government? Is it another separate branch? I only know of three.

Where can I find out more information on this subject?

Thank you, your help is greatly appreciated :-)

Answer 1

The President is the head of the Executive Branch of government and plays the role of Head of State internationally.

The US government in a nutshell:

1. Executive Branch - lead by the President and is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws of the land.  The President is elected via the Electorial College (Each state gets EC votes based on the total number of Congressmen representing that state with the votes being allocated on a winner take all basis)

2. Legislative Branch - Congress, comprising the House of Representatives (elected based on population - big states have more Reps) and the Senate (2 Senators per state, also responsible for approving international treaties).  These two houses are responsible for enacting laws and overseeing the other two branches (Judges, Presidents and Cabinet Secretaries can be empeached by Congress).  Congressmen are directly elected.

3. Judical Branch - responsible for interpreting laws and making judgements based on the laws.  A key responsiblity is determining whether existing laws conform to the rights laid out in the US Constitution.

Answer 2

The President. The US doesn't have a symbolic 'head of state" like some countries.

Read this Powers of the President of the United States article:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powers_of_t...