Thursday, January 5, 2012

What Constitution?



"But when Congress refuses to act, and as a result, hurts our economy and puts our people at risk, then I have an obligation as President to do what I can without them."
President Obama on January 4, 2012.

Uh, NO !

Wow, that is perhaps the most troubling statement ever made by this president. So many to choose from but this one is frightening. This is not the first time he has made a statement like this. Now I admit that congress is for the most part inaffective, that does NOT give the President the right to bypass congress to get done what he feels is the right thing to do. Under the United States Constitution, one individual does not have that much power. You would think that a constitutional scholar like the president would understand the limits of power provided by that document. But how can we be sure when we have never seen any of his writings or opinions (they have not been released).

Not to get into the details of this particular piece of legislation (look here is you'd like to) but this is a clear disregard of the constitution and it's limits on power of the three branches of government. Because of open election results, one branch thinks this is a bad bill and is blocking the completion and implementation. Exactly how it is designed to do. The president does not have the power and authority to bypass congress and implement dictatorial actions to accomplish what HE thinks is the right thing to do.

I started to write here about main stream media, but this is beyond the media. This is the peoples problem. We are the ones that need to be outraged and fearful of such power grabs by any form of government, especially ours. Like most government entities, you give them an inch and they take a yard. Does America really want ONE person to have the power to affect millions of people with one signature?

That is not the America I know, how about you?

Americans, it is 2012... time to stand up.




4 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I agree that the executive branch, including the current president, has a troubling history of over-stepping its constitutional authority.

    Sadly, though, this isn't a new phenomenon. I would wager that there are a variety of examples throughout the many administrations of past presidents, but I believe that Mr. Obama's immediate predecessor was one of the worst offenders.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/30/world/americas/30iht-web.0430bush.html?pagewanted=all

    I'm all for standing up to the perversion of the constitution, but I'm not sure how to go about it in a meaningful and practicable way. I feel that my primary means of expressing my dismay in our democracy is with my vote. But, by voting, am I still endorsing an executive institution that has a bipartisan history of overstepping its constitutional role?

    I don't believe any of the current candidates (including Obama), with the possible exception of Dr. Paul, are interested in breaking with the trend of increased executive authority. And even if they were stating such an interest, it's difficult to know if there will be any follow through on campaign promises.

    Am I misreading the candidates? Are we forced to choose the best from bad lot?

    I am also concerned that the issue has been crafted as a political tool to fan the flames of each parties fires. When out of executive power, the Democrats complain about the executive overstepping of right by accusing the president of unauthorized militarism. Correspondingly, Republicans seem to use their time in opposition to accuse the sitting democratic presidents of socialism.

    Each side, when in opposition, paints the other as a dictator of sorts. Democrat presidents are accused of socialist dictatorial totalitarianism while Republican presidents are accused of fascist dictatorial totalitarianism. Both seem extreme to me.

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  3. Agree... both sides are guilty and yes GWB was a frequent offender. Our vote and our voice are important. If enough citizens speak out and stand up regardless of party affiliation and partisan tools, then faith in our leaders CAN be restored.

    We need a President that LEADS, not dictates or mandates. Who that is... TBD. But I know this one is not that leader.

    Thanks for the comments Matt, good to know people actually read these things!

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