Fascism Part II: The Rise of American Fascism

[festive1]

...when has a president ever laid down executive powers won by previous presidents?

There's been only one man in history who has restrained the powers of his own office: George Washington.

Good point, we need more George Washington-types.
This is also the problem in a lot of "new" democracies. Look at the many examples from sub-Saharan Africa. Leaders of the anti-colonialist movements came to power, put in place varying degrees of democratic governance, then refused to lay down their power at the end of their terms. The result being various leaders holding on to power by manipulating the very systems of government they created. Sad.