Article 2, Section 2, Paragraph 1
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
Departmental Opinion
This group of Officers of various departments is called the “Cabinet.” Instead of writing advisory papers, most of the contact is verbal in meetings, where they advise the president of any questions that he may pose.
It was not the intention that the Federal Government would become so large that there would be a need for constant and regular meetings. Government was to stay small and involved in serving the citizens. The department heads would report to the President their needs, and plans via a written report. The President could also request specific information from them that could help him make proper decisions.
While there is a large amount of reporting and memos that circulate in the Federal government, the biggest complaint is the lack of communication within departments and with other departments. Any manager would realize that this means the departments have swollen beyond a functioning capability. Many “officials” do nothing more than file and shuffle the huge amounts of paperwork. This is a distortion of what the government is to do. It also is proof that things do not function in government.
The idea of the department heads being ready to offer opinions on any subject relating to their duties, keeps the government human. It also provides a means whereby the president can keep in touch with the officers and know what they are doing. The officers also are not “ambushed” by having to offer a sudden verbal opinion, but have time to formulate a proper answer.
Israel has proven that as long as there is a strong moral fiber and deep commitment to God, the nation can function very well without a huge government. Department heads can carry out their work, wherever they need to be, with little interaction with any centralized “headquarters.” The key to action was getting the various “state” heads to come together when the need called for specific action.
Judges 19:29-30, "And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel. And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds."
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