In what ways does the U.S. Presidency support and limit the formation of an ideal democracy?

After I read this chapter I was scared. I freely admit it. Here I was thinking that the government is full of checks and balances. That no one branch has any more power than the other. I was wrong. The President has created his own little government with the Executive Offices, Cabinet Departments and Independent Regulatory Commission that he almost doesn't need the Legislative Branch or the Judicial Branch. If the President feels as most of the population then it works out just fine. However if the President has his own agenda then we are just pawns in his game. There can be no ideal society when one person holds this much power. If the President's agenda is in alignment with the population then it can truly support an ideal society, however this can only be the case for four to eight years until the next President takes office. How did we ever get to this point?