Centennial Honors College
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2012
Podium Presentation
Going Beyond the Executive Seat
Sacora Shern
Faculty Mentor: Jonathan Day
Political Science
In this paper I will be addressing the shadow like government; that is becoming
American government, through the presidency. The two main presidents that I will be
focusing on are former president George W. Bush Jr. and current president Barrack
Obama. This paper will consist of multiple questions that haven’t been addressed at the
forefront of the nation. I will focus on the three main issues of the presidency. The
issues are terrorism, the owning and rule of the president and America; lastly I will
discuss the debt crisis of America. I will conclude with historic philosophers such as
Niccolò Machiavelli and John Locke ideas of government. In concluding, I will be
discussing the question of has the modern day presidency dissolved itself according to
these philosophers’ theories?
The questions I will be discussing are as followed.
 Who are those who advise the president?
Do the advisor of the president get checked in the checks and balance system; if
so how; if not why?
 What is terrorism
Why does terrorism exist?
What really happened on 9/11 and why?
Is America terrorizing its people and other countries through the
president?
 What is America’s debt?
Why is America in so much debt?
What is the main cause of the debt in America?
All of these questions will be addressed and answered among others. In relevance to
the president it will all tie into his decisions and rule of America.