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Loose Canons
What Are You Prepared to Do?
How far will congressional Republicans retreat to avoid a confrontation with Barack Obama?
President Obama has made clear his path to re-election. He plans to run against Congress and — by seizing unconstitutional powers — go about governing this year with or without the legislative action required by the Constitution. He’ll issue executive orders, have his bureaucracy regulate as may please his ideology, and generally do whatever else he can get away with.
Obama apparently thinks he can get away with a lot, and judging by the response of the Republican congressional leaders to his actions last week, he’s probably right.
Obama took constitutionally-irreconcilable actions last Wednesday by making four “recess appointments,” three to the National Labor Relations Board and one to the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a regulatory monstrosity created by the ill-conceived Dodd-Frank financial “reform” act.
Obama announced the four “recess appointments” purporting to exercise his power to do so under Article 2, Section 2 of the Constitution. But — according to Article 1, Section 5 — the Senate was not in recess because it hadn’t obtained permission from the House to adjourn for more than three days and because the Senate was in de facto session. (This is the same congressional maneuver that Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi repeatedly used to prevent George Bush from making recess appointments.)
The difference is that Bush obeyed the Constitutional limits and Obama flaunts his violation of them.
The question for congressional Republicans is that which the Sean Connery character, Malone, asked Kevin Costner’s Elliot Ness in The Untouchables: what are you prepared to do? The unfortunate answer is that congressional Republicans aren’t prepared to do what is necessary to rein in a president who is behaving as if he were the imperial president the media shiver about whenever a Republican is in office.
Who is going to take the necessary actions to void Obama’s appointments?
The courts can’t on their own, because they have no power to bring cases up themselves and adjudicate them to their own satisfaction.
The House and the Senate each have the power — and the duty — to block or overturn a president’s unconstitutional action.
The House’s only real power is the power of the purse. It can cut off funding for anything it wants to stop the Executive Branch from doing. But it can’t and won’t because its leadership lacks the courage to stand their ground after the first whiff of the grapeshot.
The payroll tax cut debacle is only the latest evidence. Republicans didn’t want to discontinue the cut. They only wanted to prevent paying for it by tax hikes. Speaker Boehner decided to take a firm stand against such tax hikes and make an issue of it. But when it came down to the wire, he made a deal and then couldn’t get his membership to back it.
House Republicans could clearly bar any funding for NLRB’s and CPFB’s activities. But the White House and Senate Dems will include that funding in yet another “must pass” bill, such as another debt ceiling hike or a “continuing resolution” that funds the whole government.
There will be another Obama-manufactured crisis. The House Repubs will have to threaten to shut down the government and actually do it in order to stop these activities. But they so fear the blame for a shutdown, they’ll cave again. And again, and again.
The courts could overturn Obama’s illegal “recess appointments” but before a case can come before the courts, our legal system imposes a couple of requirements. First, that there is one: a “case or controversy” over which the court has jurisdiction. This excludes purely political questions, but also clearly includes questions of whether an Executive Action is unconstitutional. The second is that the party bringing the suit has “standing to sue.” That means if ol’ drunk Joe bashes his pickup into your car, I can’t sue for damages because I can’t sue for damages to a car I don’t own.
Which leaves us with the question of whose car was wrecked by Obama’s careening “recess appointments” truck? Companies who are subjected to the CPFB regulations could, but only after the regs are issued and their damaging effects can be proved in court. Until then, only the Senate Republicans whose constitutional authority was damaged can act. And that’s the problem.
About the Author
Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies. You can follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (113) | Leave a comment
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Pecos Pete| 1.9.12 @ 6:16AM
Best bet: The Senate Republicans won't do anything to stop King O.
Carol| 1.9.12 @ 7:36AM
Exactly.
I am sure John Bonehead is quaking in his slippers thinking about returning to Congress on the 17th.
He is not a leader. He is an order taker and has been taking orders from Obama since the golf match that Hank Williams Jr. analogized correctly.
If the Republicans had any courage at all, they would replace Bonehead with someone with cajones the size of Pelosi's.
But we all know that won't happen because it was Bonehead's turn just like it's Romneycare's turn.
That's why I say screw them - I will vote how I want and I will not vote for Romneycare.
Harry | 1.9.12 @ 11:23AM
Just a trifle observation. Pelosi doesn't have cajones.
Harry | 1.9.12 @ 11:25AM
I have reference to the Spanish version of cajones. Verdad?
SCPOret| 1.9.12 @ 12:16PM
Using the common venacular for cajones, she's still got a bigger set than Boehner without any.
Carol| 1.9.12 @ 12:20PM
Harry:
You need to get a sense of humor or look up irony.
Stan Redmond| 1.9.12 @ 9:39PM
Bhoener needs to borrow one from either Hillary or Big Sis. Someone is definately using Boehner's as a cokn purse somewhere out there.
Stan Redmond| 1.9.12 @ 9:39PM
coin purse
The Bruce| 1.10.12 @ 2:19AM
I'd be willing to bet that if I pulled that skirt up, she'd display a gigantic pair for the world to see.
Remember the district she represents. I wouldn't be surprised in the least.
Anatomical arguments aside, I can assure you that she's been the most effective Speaker in a decade. Her ability to bribe, twist arms, and forcefully get legislation passed is, frankly, unbridled.
I hate her with every fiber of my being, but she is what she is.
Can you imagine what how powerful our current Speaker would be if he put down the Kleenex and got into the business of fighting the good fight in the name the name of the former Speaker???
Imagine that. A Speaker with a set of Brass Balls "This" Big.
Jack in Wi.| 1.9.12 @ 8:51AM
Why should the Republicans want to stop Obama? They are both wings of the same bird of prey. The banksters and kleptocrats own both parties. They just have pretend elections every 4 years.
Paul Kotik| 1.9.12 @ 9:13AM
Don't the kleptocrats in power get a bigger share of the loot? The ease with which the Repubs settle for second place is testimony to the scale of the robbery. At that level, the difference between the first-place and second-place shares is so abstract it may actually be smart to be the #2 robber. Less work, more security than the #1 robber, and still more money than you can figure out what to do with.
Sheila| 1.9.12 @ 10:37AM
Well said. The Republic and the electoral system set up by the Founders will only work with a moral, Christian population and politicians who play by the rules. Voting today is meaningless and will change nothing. I refuse to participate in a farce of a "choice." Decline and fall.
BadIdea| 1.9.12 @ 7:21PM
A lot of people are saying that they won't vote.
Exactly what are you accomplishing?
It is the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my life...and I have heard some doozies.
TrueBlue | 1.10.12 @ 11:22AM
If you don't vote, you can't complain. You chose to do nothing, so what's to whine about?
Occam's Tool| 1.10.12 @ 6:56PM
Please, Jack, Sheila, Clint...don't vote. Thanks.
But I will.
old white guy| 1.9.12 @ 2:44PM
when the members of the house and senate are on the same page and all fall in the definition of being a communist what the hell are you going to do.
Mike Hawk| 1.9.12 @ 6:35AM
I will replay an old joke that seems pertinent.
Q. What is the diffence between the BOy Scouts and the Repulican s in DC??
A. The Boy Scouts have adult leadership.
( I am an Eagle Scout and an adult leader, so I can say this.)
old white guy| 1.9.12 @ 2:45PM
heh, you could say it anyway it doesn't need a qualifier.
Appleby| 1.9.12 @ 6:42AM
His Antichrist traits are beginning to reveal themselves.
Timothy L. Pennell| 1.9.12 @ 9:04AM
So, I'm not alone, out here.
"And I saw the BEAST rise from the Sea. (The BEAST of the Sea) And he was given a MOUTH, to speak Haughty and Blasphemous words. And he was allowed to exercise authority for forty two days." Revelation 13-5.
If he's DEAD, come June, this year, then you'll know that it's already too late.
He has not come to defy the Prophets, but to Fulfill them. Look around. With his help, the Islamist Enemies, in the Middle East, will soon have the Numbers to match the Army, described in Revelation, to send against Israel.
The Son of an Atheist/Communist PIG, and a Muslim/Marxist DRUNK, who died in a Kenyan Gutter. Raised til the age of 11, in Muslim Indonesia. Attending Muslim Schools and Mosques. Kneeling on his Prayer rug, facing Mecca, and praying to a False Prophet (The BEAST of the Land), 5 times a day.
Surrounding himself with EVIL, his entire life. Communists/Marxists/Maoists/Anarchists and Armed Revolutionaries. (Black Panthers/Weather Underground People) Teaching his Philosophical Core Beliefs, from a BOOK, dedicated, in part, to LUCIFER. Coke Head. Pot Head. Street Hustling Communist.
This MUSLIM, Evil Creature, sits on the Throne of the most Powerful Christian Nation, the world has ever known, and Israel's only Ally.
This is not by accident. He is here to FULFILL PROPHASY. There's no other explanation.
I'd be getting ready, if I were you.
Tim the Enchanter| 1.9.12 @ 4:14PM
Forty-two MONTHS, not days. Three and a half years. Sorry.
Timothy L. Pennell| 1.9.12 @ 5:21PM
What's your point?
June 2012 is 42 MONTHS.
Never question me, again, dumb*ss.
Occam's Tool| 1.10.12 @ 7:00PM
Dear Tim L---I think you misspoke, sir---you meant 42 months but put 42 days in your initial quote.
Tim The Enchanter, by the way, tends to agree with you, Mr. Pennell, as do I. Just tryin' to avoid Blue-on-Blue, you know.
BadIdea| 1.9.12 @ 7:23PM
The anarchists are among us and those who will kill us are walking into our country through AZ, TX, CA, and NM, signing up for citizenship, food stamps, housing, social security, and free medical care...while the terrorists are planting their bombs.
Darin| 1.9.12 @ 6:59AM
When faced with a bully, you either draw a line and make a stand or continue to cower and give ground. Obama's actions show him to be a bully. Will any Republicans in Congress have the guts displayed by 8-year-olds on the playground and stand up to this bully? I'm not holding my breath.
russel| 1.9.12 @ 10:49AM
We have a Rep. who HAS stood ground - she controls purse strings and has vowed to do anything possible to give the EPA as much trouble as possible . Ditto the Tea Party members . But yes Darin , without bold leadership , we'll keep getting lopsided votes . Boner is a DC critter who probably hasn't visited his state since the last election i.e., an establishment GOPher . The Tea Party has them sighted in . Witness Lugar's latest squirming . 2012 is coming .....
old white guy| 1.9.12 @ 2:46PM
there will be alot of blood shed standing up to the bully o.
TrueBlue | 1.10.12 @ 11:24AM
The military does it on a daily basis, what's Congress' excuse?
Lawrence Boccardi| 1.9.12 @ 7:04AM
Where is the Republican that has balls, brains, and can speak effectively? Pat Cadell has it right. The Dems are the party of corrupt, and the GOP is the party of stupid. (Reposted)
Gary B| 1.9.12 @ 8:57AM
I say again, the unpublished purpose of DC Republicans is to pretend to be opposed to the Democrats.
To call Boehner an empty suit is to insult the suit.
Harry | 1.9.12 @ 11:28AM
So now we have two empty suites. One a coward and the other an arrogant commie.
Gary B| 1.9.12 @ 12:06PM
Yup...
Indy| 1.9.12 @ 7:44AM
With McConnell and Boehner in leadership positions, I think we all know the answer...silence
Timothy L. Pennell| 1.9.12 @ 9:15AM
Is anyone surprised? He's the King. SHE likes to be Called: Your Majesty. HE plays one, in real life.
Did anyone watch the Giant Game, yesterday? They went in to the game, dead last in Rushing. They ran for 172 Yards, yesterday, and after every big run, I was screaming at the T.V. - "YEAH. Do it again! If they ain't stopping you? KEEP RUNNING!
This isn't the 1st time he's done this kind of thing. Like any Petulant Child, he will test and test, til he finds out how much he can get away with. "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child."
His Drilling Moratorium was ILLEGAL. It was based on FORGED Documents. A Report, done by a Group that his Administration chose, until their "Findings" did not fit with His Highness' Plans.
His Energy Secretary, and his Interior Secretary, both falsified the Commission Report, until it said the OPPOSITE, of what the Commission had actually written.
A Federal Judge, TWICE, refused Pharaoh's request for a Drilling Moratorium. He did it, anyway. The Judge found him in "Contempt of a Federal Court".
If his lips are moving? Then he's lying. If he would have his Energy and Interior Departments' Secretaries - CABINET MEMBERS - actually FORGE DOCUMENTS? Why would anybody believe his Labour Department Wh*re, when she puts out her JOB Numbers? Hmmmm? "Fool me Twice"?
He hates all those Fat Cat, Millionaires and Billionaires. But, you can find him Partying with them, almost Daily, these Fund Raising days. You can find them in his Golf Cart. You can find them at the Martha's Vineyard Estates, that he Takes the Queen, and Princesses to, each Summer. You can find them at all of the High Society/Hollywood Extravaganza Parties, that the Emperor and his Empress, like to throw at the Royal Palace, as they implore the rest of us to SHARE in the SACRAFICE, and to "Pay Our Fair Share", as his Cronies GE/GM/Chrysler/UNIONS Pay Nothing.
He uses OUR Tax Dollars, to Launder his Campaign Bundler's Money, by "Investing" (Bailing out) their Bogus(Front) Green Energy Compnaies, so they can continue to Put Money in his Meter.
He's Hugo Chavez, minus the Cancer. He's Mussolini, and he's Vladamir Lenin. He's Napoleon, and if the Pope takes too long to put the Crown on his head?
He'll do it, Himself.
He is Caesar, crossing the Rubicon, and, there is No-One blocking his Army's advance to the City. No MEDIA. No Republican. No Democrat.
This is how it begins. He's probing. He's poking. He's searching for that Line, that he can not Cross. A line that, I believe, doesn't exist, right now. It's the same line that Hitler probed, and found wonting, that led to the Holocaust.
Hail Caeser!
Hail Obama!
Heil Hussein!
russel| 1.9.12 @ 10:59AM
Going off topic , I have a question for you Pennell : have or will you be renewing a drivers license ? . Out of the blue , our legislature ( which is conservative ) , voted in a new law requiring a birth certificate and SS# and other less important data. Two copies . Being the suspecting sort , sure enough I find that the feds had pressured them into enacting this law . Any bets that one copy winds up in that big , new DHS building ?. The new one which offices thousands of new employee's ? . Just curious .
Timothy L. Pennell| 1.9.12 @ 11:37AM
Have FAITH. We may yet win, at the Supreme Court. DHS may go back to meaning: Danbury High School, like it used to.
Look up Obama's Soc. Sec. Number. I've heard that it's not a Hawaii number, at all. It's a North East Number.
I'm just saying.
russel| 1.9.12 @ 11:58AM
I got an e-mail that states his SS# is from a dead man who moved to Hawaii from Conn.. Granny Dunham had access to the numbers and picked out a safe one - the IRS basically did not know the guy was dead . Zero never lived or worked in Conn. so how else he'd get that # ?.
Timothy L. Pennell| 1.9.12 @ 1:50PM
Bingo!
That's what I heard, too. That his SS# is from Ct.
BadIdea| 1.9.12 @ 7:28PM
Zero's mother was a thief who was illegally syphoning money from over a dozen tax funded non-profits, each with a different address.
Stan Redmond| 1.9.12 @ 9:41PM
Yet no problem to vote without any ID whatsoever
martin j smith| 1.9.12 @ 7:52AM
Babbib: You question is right on. The behavior of the Republican Establishment makesme wonder what is behind all this ? I gst more and more synical by the day. I will never align with either party for they are both frauds. But I do want to get rid of Obama and his band of thugs.
Maddox| 1.9.12 @ 7:53AM
The Senators should consider their oath of office and keep it or resign. If they are unwilling to follow The Constitution they are guilty of treason too. The very foundation of our country is being challenged and they are fiddling and diddling. Greedy, selfish cowards, the whole lot of them!
VonMisesJr| 1.9.12 @ 8:01AM
Where is Willard Romney on this? Perhaps he hopes someday to be King?
If my civics is correct, the members of the House and Senate are called "Representatives." If they do not represent the people, who do they think they represent? The only answer seems to be the modern Monarchy (POTUS and Bureacracy), Nobles (Crony Capitalist and neutered elected branch) whom the congresssmen aspire to join in perpetutity in the new serfdom?
Do the Republicans have no shame? Do they direct deposit their paychecks to avoid the controversy of signing the back of the check accepting renumeration for services? Will they be any less to blame if this constitutional crises escalates to the unthinkable stages evidenced by similar history?
It may be cowardice, but methinks it is collusion.
Teaghan| 1.9.12 @ 8:21AM
Will any of us here write, FAX, email or call our representatives today? I intend to do at least two of the above to Congressman Witman who represents me here in VA. Need to ask him also why he voted to allow Barry to arrest and detain us indefinitely. Already know what he'll say though. "Oh, that doesn't apply to American citizens".
Louis Jenkins| 1.9.12 @ 8:39AM
Obama has picked a great opponent-Congress. Only they have a rating less than his. I'm sure he means to combat the Republicans, not the Demoncrats, even though both share equal blame for the case of mainge that they have. I figured Capt. Boehner would flip, and for all intents and purposes he going to get along with the President come what may. Cajones Pelosi is going to retire, but her spirit will live on in the House. Her shadow will be hard to fill, particularly the cajones part, but I'm sure the Democrats will have someone who will crawl out from under a rock. The Republicans are fawning and fetting, and getting along with Obama. What did we expect?
Al Adab| 1.9.12 @ 8:40AM
Now that the president has declared himself to be Ceasar, what indeed are we prepared to do? The actions citizens take will determine not only whether this nation still has a future, but whether human liberty is endangered as well.
BadIdea| 1.9.12 @ 7:30PM
I've e-mailed my Senators and told them that it is their responsibility and duty to uphold and defend the constitution.
The Bruce| 1.9.12 @ 8:15PM
My guess is that the anwer to your question is to "render unto him."
The media is certainly onboard (big surprise, I know). Hell, for the most part, they seem "proud" of his dictitorial power grab.
Dmac| 1.9.12 @ 8:49AM
Here we go again, bitch, bitch, bitch. This will continue as long as we let it continue and both parties know it. Neither party gives a tinkers damn about you or I. We have two things to do and if the first one doesn't work the second is drastic, but it is overdue.
First we vote out Obama in 2012 and make sure the John Boehnor is never speaker again. Republicans should vote him out as speaker now though.
Second, whether Obama wins in 2012 or not, and no matter who wins the election in 2012, if they don't do whar "we the people" expect them to do then we need to go to the streets like never before. Peaceful of course, but still a revolution of sorts. Refuse to pay taxes and cut their money supply off. It is time we let them know who is boss.
Hey Bonehead Boehnor, wake up, you have an obligation and a duty to stop Obama from violating the Constitution. When he violates the Constitution he violates every American.
chuck| 1.9.12 @ 8:54AM
Boehner is a gutless pussy. Probably off crying somewhere.
canuckistani| 1.9.12 @ 9:19AM
Wha wha wha.
A year into the Tea Party express to nowhere and everybody is jumping off the bus.
When the GOP enacts MC part D, they ceded the high ground as conservatives forever. Get over it, you've been duped....again.
All the TP caucus has done is to expose them to unneeded scrutiny for standing up for principles that they campaigned and won on. Boehner could have embraced them as serving the will of the party in order to defend the nation's future. He didn't, went off halfcocked before the votes were counted and fumbled. McConnell the same.
I see noone in the leadership of either body showing the mettle to actually embrace the TP's energy and an eely BHO. Cantor will run and hide, Pence fled a year ago and Sessions is an unmitigated dud. Hensarling and McCarthy are backroom wonks that will not be able to lead.
Be prepared for more of the same this year. Pray for plague. It's all that remains.
chuck| 1.9.12 @ 8:53AM
Where are Rand Paul and Marco Rubio on this? Rand Paul especially! He's the Constitutionalist, or at least he purports himself to be. Why isn't he screaming into the microphones. Where is his Dad? Flood the airwaves with the message that this is unconstitutional, forces the weenies like McConnell and the others to act. File the lawsuits, file the Articles of Impeachment in the House. GROW SOME FU$%KING BALLS! TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE BASTARD FOR ONCE! DAMN THE TORPEDOES, FULL SPEED AHEAD!
BadIdea| 1.9.12 @ 7:32PM
He can write his senators - who are the only ones who can take action...didn't you read the article?
chuck| 1.9.12 @ 10:22PM
Yes I read the damned article. Rand Paul and Rubio are Senators. Ron Paul surely has a nation-wide following, so he sure has hell can do more than "write his Senators".
Don't you think?
Occam's Tool| 1.10.12 @ 7:02PM
Chuck--his Dad is a weenie.
Rather than impeach, which will go nowhere, the President should be censured by the House on this.
Mr ED| 1.9.12 @ 9:01AM
The Libs Obamesiah, while not stupid per se, is hardly the political machaivelli you make him sound like here. This Potemkin President only appears to be 10 feet tall because of the hard-core bias of the media. The MSM aids and abets his every whim because he is THEIR Obamesiah, and they will never willingly allow their Liberal apotheosis be tarnished by anything as inconvenient as the truth nor as unyeilding as a constitution. Just look at how his actions are portrayed by the Lib scum in the MSM. His unconstitutional actions are not only given a pass, they are presented as corageous and noble, standing down the jackboot thugs of the congress who expect him - the Obamesiah - to abide by the constitution. Liberals must not be bound by anything other than their own personal consciences and, since they know best in all things (yes, they really believe that) they are above any alliegiences to anything other than themselves.
Of course when Dingy Harry Reid played very dirty tricks in order to accomplish the same thing, the MSM was applauding and cheering, but of course that was in opposition the to evil Boooosh, so for the MSM the rules need to be twisted and stretched to the breaking point to accomodate the situation. For Libs in general and the MSM in particular, no universal rules can possibly apply to THEM. If you have any doubt just look at the way they close ranks to protect another one of their own, Stephanopolis. Georgie boy slides from the white house to the MSM and now slithers back again, but the MSM goes into full protection mode, framing his biases and conflicts of interest as heroic actions against the awful, hateful conservatives. The core idea that any rules against such bias or conflicts of interest would apply to 'ol Stepphie is simply dismissed out of hand. Those rules are only for use against those who honor them, and the Libs only rule is the pursuit of power at all costs.
Those who frame the public debate control that debate.
albert constantine jr.| 1.9.12 @ 7:38PM
As it has been said, MR Ed will never speak unless he has something to say.
Oldefarte| 1.9.12 @ 9:34AM
Is everyone except TLP either drunk, drugged or just plain stupid? With commentary such as "....Why should the Republicans want to stop Obama? They are both wings of the same bird of prey. The banksters and kleptocrats own both parties. They just have pretend elections every 4 years....." above, no wonder these domestic terrorists and their 11/4/08 elected leader are driving this country into the toilet. IT'S THE DEMOCRATS STUPIDS! Oh, and the COURTS/LEGAL SYSTEM/CONGRESSIONAL MINORITY REPUBLICANS can do absolutely nothing to stop him/them [does not anyone understand that the courts/legal system is/are LAWYERS/JUDGES who are 99% members in good standing of the DEMOCRATIC PARTY?]The one/only solution rests with the hopefully courage/gut of the American taxpayer-voters upon 11/4/12 to do the necessary. Will they do so, or continue their previous stupidity in voting for Democrats????????
KennesawJack| 1.9.12 @ 10:04AM
OF. No, I don't think we do have the courage. Certainly, none is being evidenced by the leadership (sic) in either the House or Senate. I fear two things: either we have destroyed our culture to the point where Obamarx and his minions will use the Constitution to wipe their asses with no complaint from anyone or, if the essence of what it means to be an American still exists, the next few years will make the period 1861 to 1865 look like a cakewalk.My sense is the former prevails. Glad I'm an old man and won't have to live long under this dictatorship.
Al Adab| 1.9.12 @ 10:36AM
Assuming the failure of leadership as you suggest, what are we prepared to do? Is Liberty worth the price we will have to pay IF the bullets start to fly?
We stand before History on the verge of a civil war, not between the states, but between those who value Liberty over the dole and their birthright over the pottage.
Any similarity between the late Roman Republic and the United States of America is strickly historical. The question remains, what are we prepared to sacrifice for the freedom of future generations? If we fail, they will curse our names as they suffer in a new dark age of tyranny.
Dmac| 1.9.12 @ 11:30AM
I'm prepared to sacrifice it all. I'm fifty years old and have a had a good life. My life is even good right now. But I consider myself lucky. Our kids and grandkids don't stand near the chance at a life like the one many of us have. I for one am willing to die for my kids and yours so they can have the advatages that my generation had. I do not want my kids and grandkids thinkink dad/grnapa crapped on their future.
My grandparents gave it all for me. They beat back a depression and fought a two front war and saved the world from itself. Now our generation has a call to duty to save this country from itself. When the bullets start flying I will not run and hide. I will fight for my childrens future. I hope you will too. Give my children liberty, or give me death!
Jobe| 1.9.12 @ 11:42AM
You make a cogent point. Obama truly is a "tyrant". He does as he pleases, circumvents laws, twists policies, and destroys opponents with his smear machine. Revolt is probably the only way to stop the slide into dictatorship. I sound like some kind of lunatic to many, but those are the people who have been inoculated with the obama vaccine. They cannot see how dangerous this worthless poseur is to our nation, our progeny, and ourselves.
Al Adab| 1.9.12 @ 12:52PM
What will the military chose to do? Their oath is to The Constitution. Are we actually looking at some form of civil war?
The very fact that we are having this discussion should terrify us all.
Dmac| 1.9.12 @ 1:20PM
No, civil war is when two different groups of citizens have it out. This would be a revolution, when the citizenry takes it to the government. We won't have to worry about the military as they are forebidden by the Constitution to attack the citizenry. It would be some dereanged govenor asking his state guard to attack that might be a problem, but probably not. The guard is filled with everyday people who are as sick of the government as we are.
Also, our Constitution says we have the right to change our government anytime and anyway "We the People" see fit. It's not the citzens that are going around the Constitution, it's our filthy politicians. Some courts may even argue that when they violate the Constitution they have violated their oathes of office and have defacto resigned their positions in office. In other words, if you are a politicina and you break your oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, you have resigned and we the people are no longer under any authority by an illegal acting Federal government.. and neither is the Military.
KennesawJack| 1.9.12 @ 2:00PM
Al, you're correct, this discussion should terrify us all and DMAC is correct, it wouldn't be a civil war, it would be a Revolution. While blood may be spilled, it won't be at the hands of the military. I don't think the military would ever take up arms against civilians in this country again (remember McArthur in the 20's). One of the benefits of an all volunteer force, in my opinion, is that the force tends to be more motivated, patriotic, and intelligent than a draft army. That force could not support Obamarx's subversion of the Constitution. I remember a year or so ago some pundit, I can't recall exactly who, predicted that Obamarx would be the first President to live his life in exile. At the time I thought it absurd. Not so now. I think we're in for some very difficult times ahead and if the left's big gamble doesn't pay off, maybe, just maybe, Obamarx will have to go back to Kenya.
Paul Kotik| 1.9.12 @ 7:14PM
You can call it a "volunteer" force, but it's also a professional force. 90% of them are not war-fighters. As each year passes, the greater part of the military comes to look and feel like any other Federal agency.
For a lot of career military, the Federal Government is the source of bountiful pay, job security, amazing benefits and status. Things I expect they're reluctant to give up.
Oldefarte| 1.9.12 @ 5:32PM
IMHO, it is NOT essentially up to the leadership of this country as much as it is up to the taxpayer-voters of this country. The latter, not the former, elected Obama/Democrats on 11/4/08 and provided them with this political power which they are now abusing. As a take upon the biblical/religious wordings, THE PEOPLE GIVETH AND THE PEOPLE TAKETH AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BadIdea| 1.9.12 @ 7:33PM
Yeah...it ain't lookin' good.
High school kids don't give a rat's azz about this country...they want a free ride. Just ask them.
bill| 1.9.12 @ 9:55AM
STOP OBAMA BY ALL MEANS. It's not a game, it's a war against a Marxist socialist liberal anti-semitic dictator.
Harry | 1.9.12 @ 11:32AM
If Congress doesn't act, the people will and this with authorization from the very document they hate.
Dmac| 1.9.12 @ 11:46AM
Here! Here!
Gary B| 1.9.12 @ 12:12PM
Ditto! But, I'm hoping our governors will step up and protect us from Public Enemy Number One: the federal government. If just a few states got together, things could change fast.
BadIdea| 1.9.12 @ 7:34PM
We needed what, 32 attorneys general, to rise up against the Obamacare...and couldn't get it done.
Governor elections and all state elections are as important as congress and prez!!!
oldfart| 1.9.12 @ 9:55AM
Congress has given up power to Caesar - just like the Roman Senate.
Gary B| 1.9.12 @ 12:13PM
The parallels with Rome are there for all to see.
Jay Michael| 1.10.12 @ 1:10PM
...and we know what happened to Caesar, don't we?
tsd| 1.9.12 @ 10:05AM
We bitch, they don't listen and guess what, they don't care! They know we, the people who think and care about this stuff are small in numbers and getting smaller every day. Blah, blah,blah that is all the useful idiots think. After all our presidents failures you still see all the proud idiots with Obama bumper stickers. Now 15T in debt and rising fast, yet they see and feel no pain.... more debt must not be a problem? Drive the constitution to irrelevancy and move to dictatorship... must not be a problem for most? We seem to have little choice but to hold on till after the crash?? For all the idiots and morons in politics who do nothing... the majority will have to live though some biblical suffering to gain the wisdom to help fix our current misdeeds. Hang on it will be a very bumpy ride!!
Dmac| 1.9.12 @ 11:34AM
We are not small in number. We are the silent majority that is waking up, and waking up angry. Calm, but angry. But if you like the thought of a minority know this, in the American Revolution, the patriots were the minority to the Torries.
Since we still have freedom of speech, when it hits the fan and that first shot is fired, plenty of moms and dads will say to their kids in the National Guard, "don't you dare follow an order that has you fire on American". This is where we are different than China or the Soviet Union, we have free speech. The second Obama tries to take away free speech, thats the second we should revolt!
crookedwren| 1.9.12 @ 10:06AM
Remember: academia has been brainwashed and is (and has been) busy brainwashing our children for decades; the media -- far and away -- have been drunk on the "social engineering" kool-aid for as long, or longer.
When you pick the fight (and this is the worthiest of Constitutional fights), do you consider whether or not you can win it? Or do you just pitch the fit when you can no longer stomach it?
Obama has a history of doing whatever he wants and getting away with it.
If Herman Cain had gotten the nomination, Obama's campaign (or -- rather -- the media who are working to re-elect him) wouldn't have been able to holler "racist" at everyone who voted for someone else.
Cain HAD to be removed from the scene. It was accomplished in much the same way Obama's past opponents were destroyed -- hoisted by their own (court-protected documented) petards. Court-protected documents were opened so that Obama could win. Now how does THAT happen in the US?
That was before he crowned himself king.
I was watching an old, old film the other night -- a film called "Desiree." Anyone remember that? Or the novel of the same name? Based on a true story -- of Napoleon and another French General who became the adopted crown prince of Sweden.
Napoleon took control for the good of the people, don't you know. For their sake. The Corsican adventuring family loved becoming royalty (except, I believe, Bonaparte's mother) -- Napoleon even "blessed" his people with his own Constitution -- which he wrote and then just put in place.
Who would stand up to Bonaparte? No one, really, although the General who married Desiree Clary did verbally stand up to him from time to time. Eventually, that General renounced his French citizenship, moved to Sweden, and helped Russia defeat that upstart Napoleon.
The Tea Partiers are busy fighting things like Agenda 21 in their own backyards.
We still have a vote. And we still have a bit of a voice, even if the propaganda machine will always call into question our motives for speaking the truth.
Although I suppose if Obama really is the antichrist, then none of that will matter much really.
BadIdea| 1.9.12 @ 7:36PM
The hard part about life...is that you keep waking up and need to house, feed and entertain the damned carcass.
Question is...do you want 1984 or not...as you stare out from the sockets?
Jobe| 1.9.12 @ 10:57AM
Republicans' mealy mouthed responses to the vicious vitriolic attacks launched by democrats are either naked cowardice, or some kind of perverted effort to appease the disgusting "mainstream" media and get them to "like us".
I am a conservative but I refuse to identify myself as a republican because of their almost pathological refusal to match their rhetorical refutations of democratic lies to the virulence of those same lying democrats. obama is a charlatan who conned his way into the presidency with the aid of wealthy socialist/communists, dishonest "journalists", and an electorate that was as ready to be fleeced as any rube on the midway. He is a liar, a cheat, a profiteer, a poseur, and a phony. His intelligence is a myth and his ability to articulate begins and ends with him speaking someone else's words rolling down the face of a teleprompter. Just once, I'd like to hear this from some republican.
Purp| 1.9.12 @ 10:59AM
"according to Article 1, Section 5 -- the Senate was not in recess because it hadn't obtained permission from the House to adjourn for more than three days and because the Senate was in de facto session. (This is the same congressional maneuver that Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi repeatedly used to prevent George Bush from making recess appointments.)" - First of all, the Senate had not adjourned for more than 3 days, so this point is irrelevant. Secondly, since Bush made over 60 recess appointments during his terms, and Obama has reached 30 recess appointments, Obama is neither more nor less a "King" than GW Bush was. Case closed.... it is not unconstitutional for a president to use recess appointments, regardless of the silly tricks both sides try to play. The Republicans are weak, they get outsmarted at every turn, so let's move on.
J.C.Eaton| 1.9.12 @ 11:41AM
Purp, what you wrote about the Republicans was essentially true. What makes it so obnoxious when it coomes from you is that you're so goddam happy about it. Your political givashit gauge must be stuck on Low F---it.
Purp| 1.9.12 @ 12:03PM
If the Senate isn't going to vote on nominees to government posts, then so be it. The President exercising his authority to make recess appointments is just one more check on the Senate minority's claim to power through the filibuster (which, btw, is NOT in the Constitution) to shut down the government.
I applaud President's Obama moving forward without the advice and consent of the Senate, when they so clearly have shirked their duty and are acting like a lot of schoolyard bullies. shame on them, but they got snookered. Next time, maybe they can act like actual adults and vote on nominees.
Old Soldier| 1.9.12 @ 12:08PM
I agree that the Senate Majority leader and the President of the Senate are both worthless humps and should be replaced.
BadIdea| 1.9.12 @ 7:39PM
Purp - perfect example of a conditioned, brainwashed, fascist-wannabe....the product of what previous poster said about educational system.
Don't give rat's, right? Right.
End justifies the means.
The Bruce| 1.9.12 @ 8:31PM
Except that the Senate isn't in recess, Purp, and I know that you know that too.
So why press forth with the obvious lie that he made a "recess" appointment?
Mike| 1.9.12 @ 11:49AM
Purp
You are correct when you say it is not unconstitutional for a president to make recess appointments. Unless, of course, the Senate was not in recess...
Mike Johnston
SFC USA (RET)
Purp| 1.9.12 @ 12:07PM
That was the point ... if the Senate is doing no business, which it wasn't and the Senators are not present for a quorum call, which they were not - they are in recess by implication if not explicitly stated. If they care to stay in session, then a quorum must be present and daily business conducted.
The American people's business waits on the sideline for the shenanigans the Republican senators wanted to play and I am glad President Obama outsmarted them and confirmed the recess appointments. They know it's not unconstitutional or they wouldn't be howling so much - they'd simply fix it - but they can't and they know it.
BadIdea| 1.9.12 @ 7:41PM
Obama has made history...
He violated the constitution. There was no recess, therefore, was not legally allowed to make appointments.
A historical, arrogant thug. A slap in the face of all Americans...don't you get that?
The Bruce| 1.9.12 @ 8:34PM
He outsmarted nobody. He simply broke the law.
By the way, then-Senator Obama had no problem waking into the Senate for nine seconds to bang the gavel and prevent Bush from making recess appointments.
Whats changed now? Oh, that's right, HE'S president now and thinks he's above the law.
The Bruce| 1.9.12 @ 8:35PM
Sorry, walking, not "waking."
WalkingHorse | 1.9.12 @ 12:13PM
The republican establishment installed in Congress will find no retreat too humiliating. Aside from a handful of Tea Party back-benchers, there is about as much courage in this crowd as one found in the Vichy regime of WW II. "Cheese-eating surrender monkeys" would be an appropriate monicker if they would go ahead and make their surrender official.
Anyone who invests any confidence in the republican party to save us from the continuous assault on the rule of law and our personal freedom is on a fool's errand. The republican party, through its inaction and cowardice, endorses the premises underlying the continuing usurpations of Obama and his enablers in the democrat party. For some republican establishment folk, the only fundamental disagreement they have with Obama is that he is in power and they are not.
One would be advised to take funds intended for campaign contributions and divert them to the acquisition of beans, bandages, and bullets, to do the job of protecting one's family and friends. Depending upon the political class for such basics is suicidal.
Purp| 1.9.12 @ 1:03PM
This President has done nothing the previous president didn't do - with the exception of being a Democrat. If you don't like the "usurpations" of Obama, the time to speak up was when Dubya granted himself the same .. now it's too late and you are stuck with the results. Watch what power you grant to a President or the government, because they won't give it back. You and all R's made your bed, now enjoy it until you love it.
Melvin| 1.9.12 @ 2:21PM
Do not speak in vague generalities what Bush did nor didn't do.
For your points to be valid speak in terms that can be proven and are indeed fact.
"Its Bushes fault," syndrome doesn't fly her buckaroo.
Oldefarte| 1.9.12 @ 5:34PM
Gumpism: STUPID IS AS STUPID DECLARES!!!!!!!
Kent Lyon| 1.9.12 @ 1:14PM
Mr. Babin asks the wrong question. The question is: What are the States and the people going to tolerate? My hunch is that they are not going to tolerate the repeated Unconstitutional edicts of a an imperial White House, any more than the Colonists tolerated King George III's predations on their liberties and economy. If Obama wins another term, look for the collapse of the Union.
PattyMor| 1.9.12 @ 1:19PM
When we need men, we get two little girls quaking under their desks, trying to stay out of the way so the Marxist Media doesn't say mean things about them. The girlie men are Bonehead and McMumbles our two "leaders" of t he supposed opposition party. I wonder.
Ron| 1.9.12 @ 1:37PM
Once again, while Purp is busy "blaming Bush" he misses a cognizant point....The leftist members of Congress used the very clause(s) quoted to halt (very important here Purp, so pay attention) Mr. Bush's appointments.
No one in either House of Congress is doing anything to stop NerObama's unconstitutional acts.
KennesawJack| 1.9.12 @ 2:04PM
Touche! Well done, Ron.
old progrmr| 1.9.12 @ 1:38PM
We are at the mercy of whatever the Obama Regime wishes to do. There is no GOP opposition to this emerging dictatership. Those Tea Party Reps are hiding under the desks along with their wimpy leadership. Tea Party, where are you; just old and tired, I guess? Our forefathers established a system of checks and balances to prevent a tyrannical dictatership, but they envisioned a government consisting of patriots and courageous citizen legislators who valued their freedoms. Checks and balances work to preserve freedom only if there are adversaries to a potential dictator, Obama stands unopposed. We conservatives have nothing but cowards in DC cowed by the fear of being called racists. As Ben Franklin said, "we have given you a Republic, if you can keep it". It is now obvious we cannot keep it - our forefathers weep!
Barbara Gilbert| 1.9.12 @ 1:47PM
What an outstanding article! Thnk goodness someone has the courage to tell it like it is! Thank you! Now WE THE PEOPLE must demand that Congress does the right thing for the citizens of this great country. Doing the right thing - can it really be so difficult for our elected officials?
Perusha| 1.9.12 @ 1:56PM
If you have power, and you don’t USE IT, it’s the same as if you don’t have power.
Well, duh?
I just thought of the liberal amoral expansion of this—
If you don’t have power, WHO CARES? Do whatever you CAN, and dare your opponents to---use THEIR power.
Also, don’t forget that ALREADY basically half of the American workforce and/or population is ALREADY either part of a government or dependent on it for some money or other benefits. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude that the odds are very bad for the MAKERS.
“What are you prepared to do about it?” is redolent with implications. First, as good boy scouts, BE PREPARED is always a prime admonition, so individuals should let this demand permeate all doings, all freely chosen actions, even and especially votes.
Second, while too many leaders spend too much time MERELY preparing to do something about the liberal power grabs, it’s like how police always take minutes to respond to a crime that has ALREADY taken place in seconds. At the core if the problem is a societal dis-ease, to wit too many people on the government dole.
Ah---writing this reminds me of my wasted time in the Army. After training, actual WORK verses just sitting around or standing around was minimal. Doing NOTHING is the requirement underlying the liberal power grab.
That is, the hard working cadre of knaves who’ve clawed their way into leadership positions, are animated by the need to satisfy their constituents, who always want something for nothing.
Calling Mark Steyn!
Just because he’s “paranoid”, doesn’t mean they AREN’T out to get America!
What a bevy of squishes we have in the GOP!!!
martin j smith| 1.9.12 @ 1:57PM
I heard that Harry Reid said if a Republican won the White House,he (Harry Reid ) would fight against such a president. Well so why are Republican Leadershits like Romney talking about working across the aisle ? To do exactly what ? Are Republicans really that stupid or are they just liars ?
Pat| 1.9.12 @ 2:06PM
Sean Connery and Kevin Costner playing good guys; two tough Americans fighting corruption in Chicago made for great movie entertainment. But when we hurry back to reality we realize there is nothing we can do, Jed.
This past decade has witnessed the low point in our system of government; a system already mired deep in graft and corruption became much worse and we wouldn’t have believed that was possible back on January 1, 2002. When Obama moves out of the White House, we’ll count the silverware and come up short - and fewer towels in the hamper won’t surprise us either. Presidential pardons will be sold to the highest bidder this year with the money going into Obama’s private coffers. More Soylandra type loan agreements will be made and “friends” of the Democrats will stay busy filling out deposit slips for those numbered Cayman Island bank accounts. Obama may only have a shortened year left to loot the Treasury and the Dems plan to put their remaining time in power to good effect. And, after his departure, generous book deals and enormous speaking fees will follow Obama into retirement as celebrity rewards from a grateful, but poorer, nation.
Conservative pundits, like Babbin, constantly urge Republicans to grow a backbone and fight Obama and his minions. But fight with what weapons? And who will wield the sword? Our Attorney General sold guns to Mexican drug cartels resulting in the murder of many Mexicans and a few Americans. So, do we seriously expect this intrepid warrior to lead the courtroom fight against Washington corruption?
Our flawed political system won’t be fixed from the inside but a brief sojourn inside the voting booth every two years isn’t the answer either. Like the characters Costner and Connery portrayed, Americans will eventually find the men and women who will reform our cancer ridden political system. But those who will lead this future fight won’t arise from the Republican Party ranks, we know with absolute certainty they aren’t prepared to do anything.
Melvin| 1.9.12 @ 2:25PM
Right now Congressional Republicans need to stage a revolution to force the Speaker of the House John Bohner as well as McConnel of the Senate to step down as leaders.
Besides at this point in the game what do we have to loose if a revolt in the House and Senate takes place?
Anthony| 1.9.12 @ 2:55PM
Jed, Having served in the higher reaches of our government, I'm sure you understand the existential threat that faces America from Washington.
On the one hand, we have the Muslim Marxist who has declared himself Dictator and his party that supports him.
On the other hand we have a R establishment in Washington that either knows the real threat Obozo and the Ds pose to America, or is terminally stupid.
Either way, the establishment Rs do not share our agenda. They stand for the status quo and maintaining some share of the power and the perks that go with the ruling class.
Bohener is incapable of doing the right thing because that would bring to a head the Constitutional crisis that America finds intself in.
The R leadership are not patriots, they are professional, cowardly pols, who will serve their interests above that of the country.
Taking on Obozo and the D party is not the stuff these folks are made of.
That is why, when this corrupt system inevitably crashes, we are headed for civil unrest.
Dan| 1.9.12 @ 4:19PM
The bigger question is why have the Republicans allowed bonehead Boehner to remain remain Speaker of the House ? Has the Tea Party totally failed ?
mike| 1.9.12 @ 5:27PM
The 2010 election doesn't mean anything. Republicans are weak. I am sorry I voted.
BadIdea| 1.9.12 @ 7:42PM
Democratic-controlled Senate and Democratic president (ok...Marxist)...
vote Republican.
dude!
Dmac| 1.9.12 @ 5:44PM
It is disgusting that the Republicans even think about keeping Boehnor as the speaker. He is worse than weak. His silence and failure to lead is near treason to the American people. If his party, the Republicans fail to remove him as speaker than they are without doubt triators! And that includes the freshmen elected in 2010. Damnit, do what the hell you say you are going to do or RESIGN!
howard lohmuller| 1.9.12 @ 6:22PM
The House needs to hold hearings on the impeachment of President Obama. There is little real argument that Mr. Obama has not committed a "high crime or misdemeanor" as stated in the Constitution regarding his faux recess appointments. From a political point of view, the hearings would become a toxic cloud over Obama. Although the Senate would not convict Obama if he were impeached by the House, should Obama win the Presidency in 2012 and Republicans win control of the Senate and retain control of the House, impeachment could go forward. If Obama loses in 2012, the impeachment cloud would still hang over the Democrats and help to elect more Conservatives to Congress.
POST American| 1.9.12 @ 10:33PM
---------------------FINAL WORD-----------------------
RESOLVED
Bush Sr/ Clinton/ Bush Jr and NOW
fmr Kissinger aide Obama ---are clearly
GUILTY of TREASON against our economy,
our culture, our soveriegnty. ALL in the
name of unaccoutable world USURY
and Globalism.
"---Kissinger was in tears as Obama
took his seat as head of the U.N. Security
Council ---a flagrant violation of the
United States Constitution. Understand,
Obama committed TREASON --in plain
sight."
And now with NDAA 1031, it's official,
the very Constitution and Bill of Rights
are being overturned.
There is NO more to discuss.
"When your time comes ---WHAT WILL
YOU DO---?"
-'Ikiru'
(1952)
Dir: Akira Kurosawa
--NOW
----------------WHAT WILL YOU DO?-----------------