During the last presidential administration the powers of the Executive Office under former President Bush were expanded at a rate that is unsurpassed in the history of this nation. The President liberally used such methods as both "signing statements" and "executive orders" in order to both dilute the powers of Congress, and expand the duties and powers of the presidency outside Constitutional provision and authority.
The problems which such measures present should be clear to every American. It undermines and is a blatant disregard for our Constitution and also our intended representative government. The fact that those on Capitol Hill in the Halls of Congress cannot put aside their partisan political backbiting to challenge and dilute this presidential usurpation is simply nothing short of treason on the part of those claimed representatives.
There was a political challenge made at one point which made it’s way to our Halls of Justice, the U.S. Supreme Court. In a divided opinion, the Court actually amended the Constitution in it’s ruling in order to hold with the President. The Court also holds no power under the Constitution whatsoever to "make law," simply review any and all legislation for Constitutionality. The fact that such a power move by the President was not within the proscribed presidential powers was clear and not supported by the "evidence," our Constitution and it’s clear language.
At the present time while newly elected Barack Obama made it clear during his run for office that he was also of the opinion that such powers were not within those accorded the president, with the exception of one or two of Mr. Bush’s past "executive orders," it appears now that he is holding the highest office in the land his opinion has clearly changed. One of his first official acts was address and overturn Mr. Bush’s executive orders with respect to torture and the status of Gitmo as a military prison for detainees off the shores of Cuba. But with the recent stimulus package he himself issued his first "signing statement" and gave oversight of the monies legislated by Congress for the stimulus in an "executive order type move" to a newly created Executive Agency, rather than Congress itself.
It does seem that the old adage "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." And Mr. Obama is clearly on track at this point as one who’s views of his presidential powers more align with his predecessor, than our Constitution.
The President actually has only two proscribed duties within the Constitution. One is as the last "check" in the "checks and balances," for Constitutionality of any legislation placed before him. The other is as Commander in Chief of the military in times of declared war.
Congress was to have the true power in Washington with respect to governance in their enumerated powers and duties, which far exceed that of the presidency.
In their negligence to enact the needed legislation in order to clarify the limited powers of the presidency and bring it back into Constitutional alignment, it does appear that cronyism and "political correctness" and the new buzzword, "bipartisanship" is simply a way for those on the Hill to continue to "misrepresent" their constituents, the people.
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