"A king? No thanks. We came close with Obama, and that was close enough. No matter who is President or Governor, we need the people in the Congress or state House to put on their big boy (or girl) pants and do their jobs."
I was listening to something interesting on the radio a while back. It was about the power we cede to our President. Wrong choice of words. The power we think we cede to our President. Why do I say that? In reality, and according to the Constitution, we really no NOT have three equal parts to our government. The President is not now, nor never was intended to be, the seat of the real power within our government. That power lies in the House of Representatives.
Back when our republic was formed, and it was determined that George Washington should be our first leader, there were a few who thought George should be "King George" instead of President Washington. No thanks, at the time General Washington said - we have had it with a "King George". The power of this new republic should rest within the people, not a monarch. And so that it is the way it has been ever since.
The same holds true for state government. If you really want to effect change in your state, elect the right kind of representatives. The Governor should become a figure head or cheer leader - not the law maker. Right now I am receiving campaign lit from the DFL candidates for Governor who are promising the Moon and more. Tough toenails. If the state House does not abide with the Governor's wishes, nothing will get done. All the Governor can hope for is a veto if he or she does not like what the legislature passed.
We do have something to thank former President Obama for. Many of us who had become lazy on reading the Constitution, got a much needed refresher course on Article 1 - the section which defines the powers and limitation of powers of Congress. BHO tried every trick in the book to get around that pesky article. Even though he was a guest lecturer on Constitutional Law, he sure was fuzzy on that first article.
One more example. Socialists like Bernie or Warren who may run for President. They are stirring up the minions right now promising free education, free healthcare, guaranteed income for all, blah, blah, blah. Guess what Bernie? Guess what Elizabeth Warren? You don't have the power, not even a fraction, to make these things happen.
Remember that when you are voting this year for Governor, or in two years for President. The most important question to ask (in my opinion), is if the candidate understands the powers reserved for that position. In other words, does the candidate understand what he or she can do with a Congress or legislature which is friendly, or one which is not? Obama did not understand, and we were left with a mess.
The tough questions should be reserved for the candidates who are running for either Congress or the state House. They have most of the power within their grasp. They control the purse. That is where the action should be.
A king? No thanks. We came close with Obama, and that was close enough. No matter who is President or Governor, we need the people in the Congress or state House to put on their big boy (or girl) pants and do their jobs. And part of their job is to make sure the President or or Governor does not try to wear a crown.
“The President of the United States would be liable to be impeached, tried, and, upon conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanors, removed from office; and would afterwards be liable to prosecution and punishment in the ordinary course of law,” Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist No. 69.
ReplyDeleteHe drew a sharp contrast with the unchecked authority of the monarch whose rule America had just cast off, who was not similarly accountable. “The person of the king of Great Britain is sacred and inviolable,” he wrote, “there is no constitutional tribunal to which he is amenable; no punishment to which he can be subjected without involving the crisis of a national revolution.”
What Hamilton intended as a criticism of the monarchical system is effectively Trump’s position.
Speaking of the Power of the King, Herr Miller's latest alt-right program will change the regulations (without congressional approval) regarding immigrants living legally in the United States who have used Obamacare, children’s health insurance, food stamps or other welfare programs.
ReplyDeleteThey could have a tough time receiving legal status if Herr Miller has his way.
The administration’s rationale seems to be that these legal immigrants — many of whom are paying taxes — are mooching off programs paid for by “American” taxpayers.
Does "American" now mean "white"?
Knowing Herr Miller, I would guess that's exactly what it means.