When the executive branch goes too far . . .

[AztecWilliam]

. . . we can say adios to the concept of limited government and separation of powers. This is a serious question, and please note that the concern applies to both major parties.

Krauthammer frames the issues very well . . .

Everyone wants energy in the executive (as Alexander Hamilton called it). But not lawlessness.

And that's the problem. There is a disturbing tendency these days for the executive branch to act as if it were the totality of the American government. That's bad; dictatorships act in such an arbitrary fashion, which is why we call them dictatorships.

(Side note: a great deal of what animates the Tea Party movement is the worry that our executive branch is, more and more, treating the Constitution as if it were a dead letter.)

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/05/AR2010080505140.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

AzWm

[AlwaysAnAztec]

[aztecwin]

Krauthammer takes what is happening and gives you a few less than subtle hints about the present administration. I further note with more than passing interest than Christine Romer has left Obama without a suitable reason. Could it be that she sees what policy that she has advised the President upon has been ignored and we have continued to sink farther into financial chaos? I know that is not on this subject, but is very disturbing.

[AztecWilliam]

Romer's exit is indeed interesting. Wonder how much that will be discussed on the evening news?

AzWm

[Yoda]

A little historical context: There has always been a battle (and a shifting of power) between the legislative and executive branches of government. This is nothing new and it will go on as long as the republic survives. Obama is far from being the worst offender.

Whether or not over-reaching constitutes an insidious erosion of the Constitution tends to depend on which side is doing it and whether or not one agrees or disagrees with that side politically.

We're nothing if not a little inconsistent in our arguments. Always willing to criticize our political opponents for doing essentially the same thing that we defend when our political allies do it.

Yoda out...