State of the Union

The President basically stated that we as a country need to work together in order for us to have our own "Sputnik moment." We have to create new jobs in alternate energy, have huge budget cuts, and work together in order to get things done in this country. He also made the bold statement that he will veto any bill with earmarks in it.
The President is definitely exercising the veto power greatly. He had no problem stating outright that he will veto any bill with earmarks in it. He is done with it.
I think he is using this power the most effectively. I can't imagine using this power for any other better reason than this reason he is using right now.
He can achieve his objectives, the veto-ing of bills with earmarks, with his veto power. He has to pursue creating new jobs through bipartisanship and legislation. Things he can't do alone.
I believe his goals do require extra-constitutional activities. Getting Congress to work together better requires more than a speech, he needs to set up luncheons where both parties socialize twice a month opposed to each member of Congress being secluded within their own party.

Assignment 1

There isn't much I would change in the Constitution regarding the executive branch. I would make it mandatory for the President's cabinet be reviewed by a Senate committee and make there there is a balance of political ideologies being represented in the cabinet.
I would also make the President's term longer to 5 years.  Also the President would not have to be born in the United States in order to become President; however, the potential President would have to have been a citizen of the United States for 15 years and would have had to live at least 15 consecutive years in the United States before running for office.
As for pardons, the President would still have that power but would have to be reviewed by a Senate or House committee just to make sure there is no shady political business going on. The committee would then approve or disapprove the pardon.
And last but not least, the Electoral College would be abolished.