ABSTRACT
The system of checks and balances works best when presidential leadership animates and drives the system. There is a wide range of reform options being suggested by others. Some focus on reducing the global role of the United States. Others focus on strengthening Congress or embracing the global role. A smaller global power can have a smaller presidency. Libertarian, Gene Healy calls for a ratcheting down of the public expectations of presidents, as well as a pulling back from the expensive commitments abroad. Everything a president does have political consequences, and every political act by a president has implications for the state of the presidency. In order to make presidents more accountable and answerable for their actions, some call for a "presidential question time". Similar to the prime minister's question time in England, the president would periodically appear before Congress and answer its questions.
