Editor's notes: understand that Obama is not a dictator, but he often functions as if he were. The problem? Certainly it is Obama but more than that, it is the system of presidential powers that has been allowed to increase over the years. Among the first order(s) of business with the 112th Congress (taking office on January 20th) is a review and a revision of presidential authority.
1.
Czars: If the appointment of "czars" is allowed to continue, the number and job description must be authorized by [at least] the Senate. As it stands, now, Obama has nearly 50 czars, folks appointed by him and without Congressional approval. As "czars," they are considered to be presidential staff and are not subject to subpoena or Congressional review at any level.
2.
Executive Order: the fact that it is entirely possible, apparently and according to recent news reporting, for Obama to give amnesty to 12 million illegal aliens is evidence of a president who is out of control. We need to limit executive order and use the threat of impeachment when those rules are violated. Because of Obama, we now know that a true "dictatorship" is possible via a creative president using the powers that are allowed to him, the executive privilege given to his position, the complicity of a Marxist oriented free press and the regulatory powers of Federal agencies such as the EPA, the FCC, the FTC, and NEA (look for definitions at end of article), to name a few, under his control.
3.
Presidential time in office: the two term limit for a sitting president is the result of the 22nd amendment to the Constitution -- making it much more difficult for a dictator minded individual to become just that, a long term dictator. Congress needs to review this amendment with a view of ensuring its continuation. There must never be a short-circuited legislative reversal to this amendment.
The socialist, FDR, was elected to four presidential terms - the only president in American history to serve more than two terms. With all the talk of how the American people loved this guy, it is curious that immediately after his time in office, the 22nd amendment was proposed, passed and ratified by the several states - a process that took 4 years (1947 to February of 1951) .
4.
Proof of Citizenship: since the free press has abdicated it's self-appoint responsibility to fully vett presidential candidates, the qualifying issues of age and citizenship should become a matter of a mandated evidential procedure of some sort. When folks asking for proof of age or citizenship are regarded as "wacko's," it is time for Congressional mandates on the issue.
5.
"Treason" needs to be defined and enforced or officially disregarded.
6.
GITMO needs to be continued and modified to meet current practical and populace demands. The detention center cannot be closed. From time to time, we will capture foreign enemies, hell bent on killing Americans, who cannot be tried in a civilian court of law for reasons of national security. Understand that the Supreme Court allows for such a circumstance. We need to aggressively pursue a revitalization of the use of GITMO or a similar institution.
7.
Powers of a Lame Duck Congress: under no circumstance should a lame duck congress be allowed to legislate new laws introduced after mid-term and presidential elections. If particular issues have not be formally introduced into the legislative debate well before a congressional/presidential election, they should not be allowed to be presented in the time following those elections and the last day of that congresses activities (January 19th following the specific election. The work of a lame duck Congress should be limited to the completion of legislation already introduced. If nothing else, all legislation introduced and/or passed by a lame duck congress must be reviewed by the new congress.
Tom Harken , a Marxist leaning Senator from Iowa, wants to use the lame duck Congress to pass the "card check" that would allow unions to take over factories, shops and companies without a secret ballot vote. This should not be allowed as a matter of law.
Understand that a new congress comes into power every two years -- after the so-called 'midterms' and, again, after the presidential election.
8.
5 Day review: all written legislation must be posted to the Internet for at least 5 working days (not including the weekends). If our politicians refuse to read the laws they pass, certainly the people those laws will govern should.
End notes: EPA - Environmental Protection Agency; FCC = Federal Communications Commission; FTC = Federal Trade Commission; NEA = National Education Agency.
