This morning, political commentators are paying a great deal of attention to one of the Los Angeles Times’ stories about Barack Obama’s plans for a Republican takeover of Congress. Unfortunately, they are focusing on the wrong one. Most commentators spent the morning quoting the president’s remarks on a black radio program that a GOP-dominated Congress will result in “hand-to-hand combat.” The reality is most of the action will take place behind their backs and over their heads. All indications are, if Obama cannot get his legislative agenda enacted by Congress, he will impose it by decree.
The evidence comes buried elsewhere in today’s L.A. Times in a piece by Peter Nicholas and Christi Parsons under the hum-drum headline, “Obama Reshapes Administration for a Fresh Strategy.” The story makes clear the “fresh strategy” borders on government by executive fiat. It begins, “As President Obama remakes his senior staff, he is also shaping a new approach for the second half of his term: to advance his agenda through executive actions he can take on his own, rather than pushing plans through an increasingly hostile Congress.” This rule by divine right of kings is confirmed by no less an Obama insider than David Axelrod, who said, “It’s fair to say that the next phase is going to be less about legislative action than it is about managing the change that we’ve brought.” The Times states candidly:
So the best arena for Obama to execute his plans may be his own branch of government. That means more executive orders, more use of the bully pulpit, and more deployment of his ample regulatory powers and the wide-ranging rulemaking authority of his Cabinet members. (Emphases added.)
Nicholas and Parsons note how the president has replaced the few appointees with ties to Capitol Hill in favor of Chicago insiders. They specifically state the “the Environmental Protection Agency is determined to use its regulatory power…to begin lowering [carbon] emissions, in the absence of congressional action.” In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the EPA could regulate carbon dioxide emissions under the Clean Air Act, although the act did not have these “pollutants” in mind. Seizing on this ruling, an anonymous insider who “was not authorized to speak publicly” told the Times, “The ambition is to get a reasonable start” on implementing his extremist vision.
The plan fulfills a threat Obama made earlier this year. The Associated Press reported in June, “The Obama administration says it would prefer that Congress enact climate change legislation, but has used the threat of EPA regulations to goad lawmakers into action.” Within the last week, Congressional Republicans have called the regulations job-killers, and Democratic Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia has sponsored a two-year freeze on certain EPA regulations. Now it looks as though the president will run roughshod over Rockefeller, the Republicans, and the will of the American people.
More concerning than the aims to which Obama plans to use unfettered executive fiat power is the circumvention of Congress, and the Constitution, in the first place. William Galston of the Brookings Institution took the LAT Obama will employ this strategy even if Republicans do not take back either House of Congress. “Whether or not the Republicans take over majorities in one or both houses, the margins will be so much narrower that the strategy of putting together a Democratic bill and picking off a handful of Republicans to push it over the top won’t be viable anymore,” he said.
Rather than triangulate, repackage his radicalism, or take an electoral chastening, Obama plans to ram his agenda down the American people’s throats “by any means necessary.”
What will this agenda look like? In part, it is already in place. On illegal immigration, the president has already excluded Congress, several states, and the overwhelming majority of the American people to aggressively promote an Open Borders agenda. A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services draft memo that surfaced this summer contemplated ways to enact “meaningful immigration reform absent legislative action.” Shortly thereafter, an ICE draft memo appeared, instructing all law enforcement – including any “state, local, or tribal officer” – that no one “should not issue detainers against an alien charged only with a traffic-related misdemeanor.” Traffic stops have been one of the most fruitful ways of finding and deporting illegal aliens and make up the heart of Arizona’s S.B. 1070, allowing state and local law enforcement agencies to exercise their federally delegated power in arresting illegal immigrants.
When the Obama administration is not making law, it is busy ignoring it. The New York Times reported that the government simply stopped deporting young illegal aliens this summer – an exemption that applies to 726,000 people – because they may be eligible for the DREAM Act, which Congress has not yet passed (and probably never will). The administration began dismissing virtually all cases against illegals who had not committed any violent crime, letting a potential 17,000 illegals off the hook. Janet Napolitano’s Department of Homeland Security seems to have let a Congressionally mandated program to assure visa recipients leave the country slide – although overstays are the entry point for 40-45 percent of all illegal immigrants in the United States. That is how six of the 9/11 hijackers entered the country. Although Congress supports enforcement, the administration has simply shut down their requests.
Obama has unilaterally decided not to apply equal rights to disenfranchised white voters, dropping all such lawsuits targeting minority organizations. DoJ appointee Julie Fernandes said, “the Obama administration was only interested in bringing…cases that would provide political equality for racial and language minority voters.” Two former, high-ranking DoJ voting rights lawyers have testified the racist arrangement is an official government policy.
The Obama administration has already begun to entertain aspects of the Green Left’s agenda, a trend it will increase in the second half of its first (and, we hope, only) term. The EPA considered, then rejected, banning fishing gear and traditional bullets this summer. Obama has taken steps toward nationalizing millions of acres of land in the American West. In July, the president established the National Ocean Council, staffed with 27 members, by decree. Rep. Sam Farr boasted at the time, “We already have a Clean Air Act and a Clean Water Act. With today’s executive order, President Obama in effect creates a Clean Ocean Act.” Some have written this panel will implement the never-ratified UN Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST).
The danger is not merely that the president will enact legislation with the stroke of a pen, like Caesar. It appears likely he will accelerate his trend to pre-empt domestic political questions before the United Nations. I was the first reporter to discover that Obama hauled Arizona before the UN Human Rights Council this summer over the state’s aforementioned immigration law. Last week, the UN’s Global Migration Group issued a new report blasting opponents of open borders and welfare for illegal aliens as “xenophobes and racists.” Now, the Justice Department has solicited 11 Latin American nations to weigh in on its lawsuit stating the Arizona law violates the U.S. Constitution – as though any of the parties would know or care. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer called the foreign intervention “incredibly offensive,” adding, “American sovereignty begins in the U.S. Constitution and at the border.”
The Obama administration has already rendered one of these moot and is now working to undermine the other. He has appointed two Supreme Court justices who believe in supplanting the U.S. Constitution with foreign law.
Obama used the same UNHRC report to push a far-Left agenda (including card-check union organization, bilingual ballots, universal preschool, and gays in the military) under the guise of “human rights.” He likewise extended benefits to the same-sex “partners” of some federal employees in advance of a Congressional bill to do the same.
Where does the president derive these dictatorial powers? Simple: he claims them. Article II of the U.S. Constitution delegates to the president only the powers to act as commander-in-chief of the military, grant pardons, make treaties (which must be approved by the Senate), appoint ambassadors and Supreme Court justices, and give the State of the Union address.
And, if necessary, the “right” to be impeached.
If a system of unelected, sometimes unconfirmed czars does not violate the Constitution, the assumption of imperial powers by the executive branch should.
Barack Obama is dedicated to use whatever time he has in office forcing as much of his agenda on the United States – and so transforming the economic and electoral make-up of our nation – that his radical vision can be foisted upon Americans as a fait accompli.
Many Americans believed his velvet words of hope and change during the 2008 campaign. If the thuggishness of the past two years has not convinced them of his disregard for the popular will, the U.S. Constitution, and the rule of law, two years of radical, royal decrees may.
If Congressional Republicans do their jobs in 2011, Obama may not fill out two more years in office.
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Ask for the Birth Certificate, if he cannot prove he can constitutionally hold office, try him for treason against the United States as well as those that went along with the Cherade and lock them away forever. He is NOT God and never will be, he is so arrogant and self satisfying.
Certificate of Birth No.. 12018 from COAST PROVINCE GENERAL HOSPITAL, Mombasa, British Protectorate of Kenya follows: Child bearing name of BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA Sex: M: Full name of Mother: STANLEY ANN OBAMA, Maiden Surname: DUNHAM, Date of Birth: 11/29/1942. Full name of Father: BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, Date of Birth: 1936. on this 4th day of August, 1961 at 7:24 PM. Weight of Child at Birth: 7 pounds one ounce, Length: 18 inches, Width between shoulders: 6 inches. Residence of Mother; HONOLULU, HAWAII, UNITED STATES. Birth Place of MOTHER; WITCHITA, KANSAS, UNITED STATES. Birth Place of Father; Kanyaihiang Village, Nyanza. Occupation of Father: STUDENT. Occupation of Mother; STUDENT. Name of attending Doctor: JAMES G. W. ANG'AWA, Signature of attending Doctor:_________. Date:8/5/1961. Superintendent of Obstretrics: JOHN KWAME ODONGO, Signature: _____. Date: 8/7/1961, Copy of Right foot stamped in Bottom Left Corner.
Someone needs to tell this man, this is not a dictatorship, this is the United States of America…and if he refuses to abide by the constitution, which gives him limited powers, than Congress needs to impeach him immediately, if not sooner. He has no right to freaking decree anything…this nation belongs to WE THE PEOPLE, not O'Bama and his corrupt administration. He is not listening to WE THE PEOPLE period.
The fact he has hidden his background, his education, etc…..and has spent so much money trying to hide his background from WE THE PEOPLE, this is a serious issue. CONGRESS needs to demand that all his records be made public immediately and if he took the presidency illegally, he should go to prison.
When you have a man that was elected by the people, start saying he is going to decree everything, this is a dictatorship and not allowed in this country. This country does not belong to O'Bama to decree anything. He needs to take his dictatorship to some other country because it is not going to take away this nation from WE THE PEOPLE who it belongs to…..this nation wa was founded upon freedom, something this man seems to hate. Send him packing.
You know what amazes me that WE THE PEOPLE are standing by and allowing this to happen…..now they are going to tell what to eat and drink, like they know what is good for anybody, it is none of their business that is the real problem…who do these people think they are…..they need to leave our country.
The people have remained silently while the usurper and Congress have systematically dismantled the Constitution and ignored our laws, so why should anyone think that doesn't equate to consent? There should have been outrage at the first Executive Order ever written by a President, and Congress should have addressed and voted down every one of them. Executive Orders and CZARS should not be permissible; in fact, I doubt that either is constitutional. I think it's time for "sticks and stones," because our incessant words will never hurt him.
We the people are trying to through the Tea Party but you nuts think the Tea Party are just a bunch of red necks and the new's call us nutty and just people out to get attention
Well let me tell you the Tea Party has got the attention of the crooked congress and they are scared+ Your President is spending your tax money running all over the country trying to buy Democrats votes instead of taking care of the country's business
Yeah, but WHO is going to make him…we just keep DISCUSSING this but nothing gets done!!! And, meanwhile, more and more of our rights are being eroded, even as we speak. If ACTION doesn't happen soon…it will be too late. Obama is moving forward with his agenda. He isn't waiting for us to vote him out of office. It's like a game of chess. The one on offense is the one in control.
Obama is working to checkmate the queen…game over.
I think as soon as congress (the new One) Obamas elegibility for office should be immediatly made public, with a new republican majority it should be no problem to start a congressional investigation into the background of King obama and lay this to rest, if he is lying which I suspect he is, then everyone from Biden on down should be investigated as well for colusion and prosecuted for treason , including the top democratic party officials who foisted this fake on us Read Pelosi,and Reid and all the rest of his puppets this if proven would take care of most of the problems he has brought on us like health care take over, and massive bailouts if their is any monies not allready allecated, it would also get rid of the two illegally appointed liberal justices on the supreme court and all the czars who report to only king obama. In one stroke we could rid ourselfs of him, his wife and several dozens of chicago criminals he has appointed to his cabinet
"several dozens of chicago criminals he has appointed to his cabinet "
Huh? There are a total of 15 cabinet officers–in other words, just over a dozen, few of whom have Chicago connections.
I can see why the the mob would go along with him, but why did the Congress and Senate betray us also? What is it that they won't say? What are they hiding about their connection to Obama?
Is it like our ex-Senator Abbacrumy that quit and came back to Maui after 20 yrs in the Senate to run as our Governor? Replacing a Governor that failed to ram through a Superferry that could transport a large amount of troops between the islands.
He told me at a local parade that "he had the president's ear".
Put Bernanke in a holding tank and Audit the Fed.
How do we do this? He won't bring our troops home until they are dead.
Yes, the simple question is why did Congress BETRAY "WE THE PEOPLE"/?????????????????????????? Vote them all out !!
James true but they are all Communist just as you are as well as Obama!
He will lay the groundwork for the takeover between the election and the swearing in in January. Lame Duck session will take on a whole new meaning, especially when he funds things through permanent funding in executive orders. There is a bill in the senate now, already having passed the house, which refers back to an earlier executive order on the L.O.S.T. treaty. It is called the C.L.E.A.R. act. If this passes the senate, permanent funding for his "councils" is included in it, as well as passing the L.O.S.T. treaty, giving away our sovereignty to the UN. Go to YouTube and search for LOSTinCLEAR. This video offers a full explanation of this treasonous act and how he sneaks funding and passage of a treaty without congressional oversight. It is broken down by a constitutionalist, who happens to be running for office in Florida.
Will this be when his removal begins or is he going to get away with this?!
THE COMMENT ON THIS ONE IS A "NO BRAINER", LET THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR II BEGIN, THE SHOOT OUT AT OK CORRAL!
GySgt Bob pinkstaff
USMC Retired
I'd personally take great joy in seeing congress go at it with fists. The libs are panzies and would get beaten to a bloody pulp, which they deserve.
George W. Bush issued 89 executive orders–not counting an unknown number of classified "presidential directiives"–and an all-time record number of "signing statements." If anything, Obama has been slow to adopt the practice.
James! Stuoid!
You have already posted this comment once!
Lol! Correction: STUPID
Ah, the delicious irony of your correction.
i'm pretty sure after the snake is unable to prove who he is or where he was born or who his daddy is he won't be giving too many orders
James George W. Bush did so but his executive orders were not as unpopular as what Obama will try to achieve. Your Messiah soon will be old history! Obama's Presidency will go down in history as the most corrupt administration ever!
It's not the number of EO's that are issued that is of critical importance, but the content. That's what concerns Americans, who already recognize the contempt that Obama holds for the democratic process in terms of legislation. If he takes this route and goes too far with it then Congress should respond, rightly, with Articles of Impeachment for his abuse of the Executive Office.
Will they impeach him now? Gett control over the congress is not going to be enough! NOBAMA NEEDS TO BE IMPEACHED AND TRIED FOR TREASON!!!!! WHAT AN ARROGANT SOB HE IS!!!!! HE IS BOUND AND DETERMINED TO DESTROY THIS COUNTRY AND WE SIT BY AND LET HIM!
"Will they impeach him now?"
No. Not now, not ever.
Yes he did, which set up the groundwork for Obama's takeover. They are all involved. Obama wasn't slow, he was coached and prepared and is executing his agenda perfectly.
Kings rule by decree , America doe's not have royalty , including a king . Obama is not a king . We the people have to see that he hangs with his own rope . He has already given us the authority to do it with his unconstitutional takings of power over the private sector . Congress must declare every decree to be null& void and every Czar a criminal . And the senate have to back him up , The Supreme Court needs to cleans their area of constitutional authority of all socialists and back the house and senate , and all military leaders who took an oath to protect and defend the constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic need to see that he stands down .
We no longer need impeachment – -what is needed is "immediate" US military arrest, for high crimes and TREASON! This applies to barry soetoro, all his czars, his departmental secretaries, any and all who have supported him and every last representative, in both houses, who have merely acted as "obama rubber stamps" , in support of "his" agenda! There should be an immediate US military tribunal, conviction AND execution – -don't waste a single dime holding any of them in prison! This would send a loud, clear message, to the UN and anyone else, who even "thinks" they might ever want to mess with the USA again!
Absolutely!!! Enough is enough. The time is now, or The United States of America will be a third world dictatorship!! Those Patriots in the Military need to step up and stop this Insanity. THAT is the only route of proper procedure!! It needs to be done, before things turn ugly. The American People would support the Military in this. If rioting on a massive scale begins, Martial Law will be enacted and there goes our 2nd Amendment Rights and any form of Freedom that we now delusion ourselves of having!!
James; It is not the number of executive orders it the content of the one's that are signed. Also James right after 911 he had to sign some pretty quickly and could not wait for congress to produce something at which 500 plus people in both houses could add to, or tack on to or, hold it up in a committee. See that's what libs do, talking points that are larger numbers and really have nothing to do with reality. It the content of your character and the content of your policies. As for me I think this current President is in way over his head and should step down before his and our country is destroyed beyond repair. Have a good day.
We will, with the will of God, turn back the Obama presidency and return to our Christian-Judea principles that we have stood by for so many years. That the sacrifices made by our ancestry are not in vain we will overcome the enemy and triumph over Marxism and return this country to the republic that has propelled us to become the envy of all people. God be with us every step of the way.
I don't hold any hope that God is still with us. We have destroyed too many innocent lives, both in America and abroad, through abortion and waging war for GREED. This Land was a gift to us by God…look what we have done to it!!
Your right James. Instead of Osama signing orders, he just let the wicked witch of the west (Nancy Pelosi) and the wicked warlock of the west (Harry Reid) shove unconstitutional and unwanted law and bills down America's throat. If he attempts the above, the next rally on the national mall will not be so peaceful.
LOCK AND LOAD
Whatever that means.