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Running for President Leads to Elevated Presidential Powers?

Republican candidates don't seem to know the U.S. Constitution

I long ago accepted that candidates will promise just about anything, provided the promises poll well with potential voters, all in an effort to win an election. However, there is a huge disconnect between what this current crop of candidates is promising, and the functions of the Executive branch as defined in the U.S. Constitution.

You know, that document that these candidates claim to love so much, but that none of these candidates seem to have read, ever?

It’s not like I’m expecting them to be Constitutional scholars; anyone who can sing a few bars of “I’m Just a Bill” can tell you that only CONGRESS (i.e. the Legislative branch) can repeal legislation. Really, folks, you’re telling me that none of the current candidates had kids that watched Saturday morning cartoons in the 70s? Now that’s really unbelievable.

Maybe it’s just me, but I flip out every time I hear a candidate earnestly vow “I will repeal … (fill in opposition name of legislation here)”, and everyone in the audience cheers. OMG!

Seriously, how is it that no one points out that repealing legislation is not one of the powers that the Constitution endows to the Executive branch?

L Sneed March 7, 2012 at 01:15 pm
Thank you! I am glad there are still some of us out there who HAVE read the Constitution. With all the lunacy surrounding these primaries, I was heartened to read your thoughts.
The BSD Guy March 7, 2012 at 06:26 pm
The Republican Party has spiraled out of control. This appears to have happened sometime during the Bush era. I think that some of the "powers that be" behind the Republican Party, who I suspect include the Koch Brothers, Rupert Murdoch, and Rush Limbaugh (among others)decided to come up with a scheme: Deceive the American People - Make stuff up, dish out nonsense, and trick people into supporting you with fear mongering and conspiracy theories.
I think this tactic worked .... once, but then it failed as more people saw through what was going on. The Republican's, however, cling to it. People of average (and above) intelligence know enough to at least attempt to investigate some of the Republicans outrageous claims, but those that don't, who I call the "gullables" buy into their bait hook, line, and sinker - Investigate nothing, verify nothing, follow blindly as others tell you what to think. As a result, the Republican Party has become divided into two classes: The Greedies, that generate propaganda and misinformation to benefit only themselves, and the Gullables that listen to their propaganda networks of talking heads and blindly believe them without checking anything out. This plan ultimately backfires, because now the Gullibles are speaking out and beginning to rise through party ranks. As Karl Rove, of all people, recently put it, "The inmates are running the asylum." This is a political party that is dying ... it has reaped what it sewed.

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Molly O'Boyle June 18, 2013 at 07:24 am
The photo is not bronze Bob, Karen! I like the new look though! ! Thanks.
Karen Goff (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 08:00 am
Oops. Sorry I changed the photo. Now I should change the article to match.
Cynde Jackson Clarke June 18, 2013 at 05:39 pm
Looks fabulous!!
Roger Gaffey June 18, 2013 at 09:33 am
It was a great weekend of softball.. way to go Glory!!
Candace Glozer June 18, 2013 at 09:53 am
Congratulations Glory!!! You all ROCKED the softball field this past weekend!!
Jackie Link June 18, 2013 at 10:17 am
Way to go everyone - Awesome job! Congratulations!!
Joe C. June 14, 2013 at 07:03 pm
Molly-you have hit it on the head! We shouldn't be starting down this slippery slope of ruleRead More changing for 1 person.I do not know this individual , but that is not the issue here.
Dilip Kamat June 17, 2013 at 01:51 am
If the RA Board approves this self serving move by another RA Board member then the board membersRead More who do so should be voted out of their roles the next time they run for election.
Mike M June 18, 2013 at 02:41 pm
Mr. Farrell, methinks thou protest too much. What ridicule and derision? It seems that you areRead More fanning the flames and rooting out some sort of scandal that, from my view, doesn't exist. As I understand it, there is a by-law provision that allows a homeowner to ask to be included in the RA. This wasn't something made up to accommodate one person. It was adopted for any single homeowner or cluster to opt in. There is no slippery slope. The rule is not being changed or adjusted for one person. The rule or by-law was in place prior to any of this hand wringing. Next, Ms. Rostant and all the other RA Board members are serving on a volunteer basis. Do any of you critics see some sort of gain to be had in this case? I find the witch hunt nature of some regarding this matter to be dubious if not mean spirited. Its easy to sit back in your easy chair and type away on your computer and deliver your edicts to resign. Get the facts. The lack of civility in some of these posts is repulsive.