The most powerful individual in the US?

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From time to time some people claim that the President of The United States of America (POTUS) is not the most powerful individual in the US, and that other movers and shakers are more deserving of this mantle.

This may be due to the checks-and-balances characteristics of the US political system (with both the executive and the legislative being elected and the judiciary having the power of judicial review) or due to concerns about private individuals using their wealth to influence the political process. Or something else, entirely...

Well, let's find out. I've compiled a list of 6 public and 6 private individuals who - at least on paper - ought to be very powerful... Acquire thy Mattock.

And as always, if you find the poll too restrictive, feel free to post a ranked list of your 3, 5, 10 etc. most powerful individuals.

Got it? Good.

Other!

Oprah!

Kinda depends on how you define "powerful". Personally, I think we need a gladiatorial battle to the death between all the contenders, last man standing is crowned the most powerful.

They are all individually powerful within their scope, however a supreme court justice, it is context specific.

Even leader of the House of Representatives, has power within a role. They might be be more powerful due to other background.

The President isn't the most powerful IMO, however presidential system in other countries, it is pretty much the mandate to be the most powerful. Which is why some countries

Obama is potentially powerful, in that he is commander an chief, however there are safeguards int he constitution to guard against an abuse of power. However this process isn't always instant.

I would say that those with a lot of resources and money, tend to have more sway politically to lobby, so this potentially makes them quite powerful.

Warren Buffet, doesn't use all the power he has but could.

Some would say it is the Leader of the New World Order.
Others would say it is the head Rabbi of the Elders of Zion.

I've always admired people that were powerful in their own right, not just because they can give orders to people who will do their bidding.

The government is made so that no one person has any greater amount of unchecked power than the next, that's why congress exists, to run said checks, and that's why right now, congress is running the show with very bad outcomes.

People like to claim the use of Executive Orders should keep everything in check, but those orders are only effective if they can legally, and financially be carried out. It has been shown that congress can overturn executive orders (such as the Truman Order), or even cut off funding needed to carry out an executive order.

Furthermore, a veto can be overridden with a two-thirds majority vote in order to end said executive orders.
So, before anyone tries to say that the president is solely responsible for anything that goes on in the white house or what passes, just remember that Congress has all the cards in their hands.

Links:

Executive Order

References for the article (I highly suggest people study up on these before trying to suggest that what I've stated is inaccurate, you might learn something about how this government works)

IMO, "other." There is no "most powerful" person in the U.S. We have interlocking or intersecting hierarchies of domination. A person on the top of one hierarchy might be on the bottom of another one.

Those Kochsuckers seem to call a lot of shots