We have given our presidency the power of a dictatorship. It is now imperative to roll that power back.

Several House Republicans have entered a process to limit the use of "czars."Understand that the "czar" was created by Nixon. Reagan had 3, George H Bush had one, Clinton nine, GW Bush had 16 and Obama has somewhere between 39 and 50.

The difference between Obama and the others is this, Obama's czars make policy. They are not just advisors. They are put in charge of political infrastructure and actually run parts of the federal government. They report only to Obama. No one can subpoena these folks because they are considered 'staff. They serve under the protection of "executive privilege."

Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on these czars, their staff, transportation and office expenses -- all without the supervision of Congress. Because of the excesses of Obama, we now know that a president could install a hundred or 500 of these folks, and under present law, no one could present this from happening.

Obama is functioning as president using "staff" to create and run whole federal agencies. One of the most startling features of his run as president is his determined effort at circumventing congress. "We" have given our presidents this power via our representatives in Congress. We have given our presidents executive privilege, executive orders, the power of the various regulatory agencies, recess appointments and signing statements, all of which allow our presidents to function as dictators (exactly like a dictators, in fact).

74% of land in Utah belongs to the Federal Government, by executive order. The FCC is taking control of the Internet via regulations despite congressional and judicial prohibition. Recess appointments are used to install individuals who may not pass congressional approval. They serve for a year under such appointments. 'Executive privilege" applies to a the president, his VP and all their staff including an unlimited number of 'czars.' Such privilege insures the secrecy of the executive branch, should the current president, whoever that might be, decide to "go dark." Obama is doing just that. The remedy? Wait for the next election or seek impeachment conviction. Finally, there is the power of the president in the function of a "signing statement." This gives the president the ability to modify a giving law at the time he signs the bill into law. The American Bar Association opposes this function, for obvious reasons.

Because of these liberties, Obama can and has done great harm to this country. This must be corrected by the 112th congress.

We can thank Obama for revealing these weaknesses in our system of governance. Our political system was never to be about the President. It was always about "the people." We have had two years of rule by legislative and legally permissive fiat. It is now time for real change.

Understand that Obama did not create these opportunities but he is the first to abuse them in total.

End Notes:

1. Signing statements: A “Signing Statement” is a written comment issued by a President at the time of signing legislation. Normally, it is used to make a permanent record of a presidential comment concerning the bill signed. But, on occasion, it is used to convey an intent on the part of the president to ignore the law or to implement it only in ways they believe to be preferential or constitutional.

2. Obama has already used "executive order" 39 times, more than any other president finishing the first two years of his (their) term. cf The American Presidency Project.