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MississippiJeff: 3 months ago

Why does the United States call our leader "President"? Why not Premier, Prime Minister or Benevolent Dictator, or something of the like?

Who chose the word President?

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Answer 1

Walt_OReagun: 3 months ago

I always thought it was because he "presides" over the country.

He's not a dictator, benevolent or otherwise.
And "premier" and "prime minister" imply he is above anyone else ... which is contrary to the philosophy this country was started on.

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tonifitch: 3 months ago

WALT..you took my answer...hahaha ahhh great minds..cough

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Answer 2

Sunshine_girl: 3 months ago

Why would we choose any of those other words? Why do you think that would be better?

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Answer 3

newbuddah13: 3 months ago via iPhone | Last edited at 7:18AM on 2/18/2013

Dictator might fit better as of late.

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Garyz321: 3 months ago

Yes

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Garyz321: 3 months ago

Yes

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Answer 4

Hyachintha123: 3 months ago | Last edited at 7:28AM on 2/18/2013

The reason the United States uses the word president to refer to a Leader is because a president is a person who is elected by people to preside over a group of people. The elected official elected by the people to preside over them is therefore known as a president. President comes from the Latin word Praesident.

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questionaire1: 3 months ago

you are smart!

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bigred50: 3 months ago via iPhone

I refuse to call any of them an official or leader. They are all our servants. There to serve us, not the other way around.

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Answer 5

FatKenney: 3 months ago

The word was chosen by our founding fathers who first laid out the rules and framework for our governing body. They wanted a leader with clearly defined limits to his powers, something we seem to have forgotten.

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Answer 6

questionaire1: 3 months ago

Well because it's the type of democracy we have I don't know why they called it president but... We have a republican government I don't know why it's republican it really should be democratic. lol

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bigred50: 3 months ago via iPhone

I hope you are kidding but with so many low information voters this country has, who knows anymore?

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Walt_OReagun: 3 months ago

Democracy = majority rule. Basically one step above anarchy. The minority has no rights.

Republic = majority elect a group of representatives, who (allegedly) represent ALL the people including the minority. Thus (ideally) the rights of the minority are protected by the representative government.

In practice, of course, the "representative" government only has to worry about being elected by the majority - so "scr3w the minority".

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questionaire1: 3 months ago

god you guys are all so serious notice how I put "lol" at the end of my answer!

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Answer 7

IMShady: 3 months ago

Be happy when he's called "President". Some of the other names are less presidential.

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Answer 8

blugoo2: 3 months ago

It was George Washington's idea. The men that elected him wanted to call him a King, but because of the split with Britain he wanted a different title. Same with our money, he didn't want sterlings or pounds, thats why we have dollars and cents.

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Walt_OReagun: 3 months ago

No, no, no ...

They wanted him to BE king ... not just call him that.
It was not about the title.

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blugoo2: 3 months ago

Yes, you are correct.

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Answer 9