Trump Will Just be a Better Dictator than Obama
For years we on the right have called Obama a want-to-be dictator – mainly due to his usurpation of the legislative branch through his reckless and unconstitutional use of executive orders. It seems that practically every month we discover Obama is doing another end around Congress, because, as he says, we just can’t wait for them.
So instead of living with the reality of his office and the limitations the Constitution places on the executive, he writes legislation with the stroke of his pen. It’s outrageous and possibly the No. 1 complaint Republicans have of our current president.
We all know, regardless of intention, this is not the way the founders set things up. This is truly the stuff of dictators. Even the king of England at the time of the American Revolution didn’t have such power over the British Parliament.
Imagine how much better shape our nation would be if the president, any president, was without the dictatorial authority to write executive orders. And apparently The Donald, now the self-professed conservative Republican standard bearer, agrees – or does he?
At a Jan. 7 rally in Burlington, Vermont, Trump exclaimed: “And now Obama – he’s got so little respect for the Republican leaders, that he just goes along and signs executive orders for everything,” for which the crowd rightfully boos. “No, no – it’s all executive orders – because that’s easier to do.” Trump then goes on to explain that, “the one good thing about an executive order is that the new president comes and with just a signature – they’re all gone.” To this he received roaring applause. Good for you, Mr. Trump!
That same week, on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Trump was asked if he generally likes executive orders. The reporter asks: “Let me ask you about executive orders in general. Like ’em, don’t like ’em – that the president uses them to go around Congress.”
Trump’s response: “Well, I don’t like ’em, and our country wasn’t based on executive orders. Nobody really knew that we even had an executive order, such a thing. It’s supposed to be you get along with Congress and you cajole and you go back and forth and everybody gets in a room and we end up with deals.” Trump then says that Obama has just given up on the process and “just goes and signs executive orders.”