Obama's Bypassing Congress, Part 3
Earlier (see here and here), I discussed how President Obama has wistfully mused how he might bypass Congress. Last Wednesday, he did it again.
Specifically, he noted that when it comes to the issue of immigration, "I'd like to work my way around Congress." Then he explained, "You know as well as anyone that…how we enforce those laws is also important." Last month, the Obama administration announced that the government will not initiate deportation proceedings against illegal immigrants unless they have committed serious crimes.
Last week I compared Obama to Ferdinand Marcos. Obama clearly is not acting as tyrannical as Marcos--although he has made steps in that direction. A more accurate analogy might be Nixon's impoundment controversy. Here Congress appropriated money for certain projects. Nixon, unable to veto the projects (because he didn't have enough congressional support to prevent a veto override), decided instead not to spend money on the projects. By "impounding" the funds, Nixon violated the clear intent of the statute passed by Congress. The Supreme Court settled the matter, ruling that Nixon's actions were unconstitutional.
With immigration, Obama is acting like Nixon. Despite a clear statute passed by Congress, Obama refuses to enforce it.
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Jun '10
Re: Obama's Bypassing Congress, Part 3
There is no surprise here for anyone paying attention. Unfortunately, the press failed to do its job during the campaign. His own words revealed his attitudes, and his personal associations confirmed them. The president is a totalitarian at heart. The scary part is that so many Americans would give him unlimited power if it were possible.
Prediction becomes easy at this point. When and if he's defeated, he'll blame the very structures put in place by the Founding Fathers to prevent would be tyrants like himself from acting on their totalitarian impulses. And he'll be equally angry and perplexed when his downfall comes. He's supposed to be a constitutional scholar, yet he cares not a jot for the rule of law. Let's hope he goes quietly when the time comes, but I wouldn't put any money on it.
Nov '10
Re: Obama's Bypassing Congress, Part 3
Isn't the Executive's check against the Legislature the enforcement thing? Maybe I need to watch Schoolhouse Rock again, but if the Executive has to follow every whim of the Legislature, how is that different from any parliamentary system?
May '10
Re: Obama's Bypassing Congress, Part 3
We were warned...but didn't listen.
"The Constitution is a charter of negative liberties..."
Mar '11
Re: Obama's Bypassing Congress, Part 3
New York City was able to sue because they were going to get some of the impounded funds, thus giving them standing to sue. If the President refuses to enforce laws, I bet the Court turns around and says no one has standing, and therefore they just won't hear the case.