This is a pretty heavy piece from the editorial board of the Boston Globe, perhaps not light reading for a Sunday evening. And it is bat guano insane
Congress must rebuild the presidency
The Protecting Our Democracy Act is Congress’s chance to protect the public from future American tyrants.
When Donald Trump lost the presidency, he left behind a treasure map for future American tyrants that shows them precisely how to undermine — and potentially destroy — American democracy. By constantly and shamelessly flouting anticorruption norms and laws, the former president exposed just how weak the United States’ system of checks and balances is and its desperate need for reform. And evading any accountability for now, he has proved that presidents can go so far as to foment an insurrection without facing any legal consequences.
Interesting. Trump, who tried to reduce the influence of the federal government on citizens, reduce regulations, reduce taxation, was a tyrant or something. I guess because he had mean tweets towards the highly partisan media?
The American presidency has, in turn, become a ticking time bomb, waiting for a future tyrant to abuse its power in order to succeed where Trump failed. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Just as Jimmy Carter signed anticorruption reforms into law after Richard Nixon’s crooked presidency, President Biden must swiftly establish new laws that strengthen accountability for himself and his successors.
Yeah, it’s Biden refusing to enforce the duly passed immigration laws, as required by the Constitution. It’s Biden implementing all sorts of COVID mandates, who’s refusing to send medications to states like Florida who annoy him. Who’s trying to force citizens into electric vehicles. Who took advantage of his position to make lots of money. And so much more.
The good news is that Congress may be on its way to sending Biden a bill to do just that. Known as the Protecting Our Democracy Act, the bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation that Congress will deliberate during Biden’s presidency, and it sets the stage for the federal government to finally address the damage that Trump imposed on the office. “We discovered over the last four years just how much our system is reliant on certain norms of behavior that we thought were inviolate,†Representative Adam Schiff, Democrat of California, the lead sponsor of the bill, told the Globe editorial board. “It turns out so many of the protections of our system are easily flouted.â€
If Liberals love this bill, you know there are lots of things being missed that are meant to instituted 1 party control with more power to the feds.
If it’s passed, the bill would strengthen enforcement mechanisms that protect the government and the public from presidential abuse of power as well as introduce new and reasonable restraints on the executive branch. Among other things, it would give Congress more oversight over presidential pardons that may be self-serving and make explicit that presidents cannot pardon themselves; strengthen enforcement of laws like the Hatch Act or the Constitution’s emoluments clause; bolster Congress’s subpoena power by fast-tracking judicial proceedings and empowering courts to levy fines on government officials who do not comply; and require presidents and vice presidents, as well as candidates for those offices, to release 10 years of their tax returns — a provision that was recently dropped from the voting rights bill that congressional Democrats are seeking to pass.
Already you can see this will be shot down in full unless there is some severability. 10 years of tax returns? The Constitution states “No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.” That’s it. Period. Those are the requirements. There is no measure for changing that, adding to that, without an Amendment. This is simply more Trump Derangement Syndrome because he refused to release his tax returns.
Pardons? “and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.” Again, there is nothing in there that gives Congress the ability to change that nor require oversight.
Emoluments? If they want to strengthen that, pass an Amendment.
Another reported White House concern is the bill’s provisions that ban presidents from firing inspectors general without good cause. But after Trump’s explicit attack on inspectors general — “I think we’ve been treated very unfairly by inspector generals,†he said, after firing a bunch of them — it’s important to give the executive branch watchdogs an extra layer of protection.
They serve at the pleasure of the President. Period. But, see, Democrats only complain when Republicans fire them.
If they want real change, repeal the 17th Amendment, go back to the original way of having state general assemblies appoint Senators, giving power back to the states. I’ll let you read a whole reasoning here. Term limits for the House. One of the complaints the bill looks to fix is spending by the Executive Branch. Well, start passing targeted bills. Specific bills. Bills that have no latitude except as intended. When they passed OSHA, did anyone consider that they would manufacture the ability (supposedly) to mandate vaccines? Where did the authority to implement a contraception mandate come from? There is nothing about contraception in Obamacare. Where did it come from? How about the mandate for Ocare regarding employer size? That was left up for HHS.
Congress passes laws, the Executive Office enforces them. How about the Obama regime refusing to enforce federal law on marriage? Biden admin refusing to enforce immigration law?
The presidency does need to be reined in, but not in the way the article mentions. What Congress really needs to do is start passing laws that do not leave so much ‘interpretation’ up to the executive branch, do not allow presidents to simply rule by administrative and regulatory fiat.
Really, Congress needs to cut back its own power as well; let the states and localities do what the states and localities are supposed to do, and not have so many state and local functions pushed up to Congress. Why does a congressman from Montana need to have any say at all over a bike trail in Philadelphia?
If the state legislatures in 1987 had seen into what the federal government would metastasize, they’d never have ratified the Constitution.
William Teach: Trump, who tried to reduce the influence of the federal government on citizens, reduce regulations, reduce taxation, was a tyrant or something.
T**** was a tyrant because of his attempted coup. Period.
His lawyers and advisers were working to stop the certification of the election. Sedition Don should be in prison.
T**** was a tyrant because of his attempted coup. Period.
A two-fer! Attempting a coup does not actually make one a tyrant. (Think about it, if you can) and there was no attempt on the right. There WAS a successful coup, however. By the Democrats.
With a little help from FBI informants.
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/victoria-taft/2021/09/26/fbi-narrative-about-the-jan-6th-capitol-insurrection-is-imploding-n1481476
#NarrativeFallingApart
Bwaha! Lolgf
“T**** was a tyrant because of his attempted coup. Period.”
Then so were the Founding Fathers for their successful coup. Idiot.
BTW, when did this so-called “attempted coup” take place? I missed it. I was too busy watching the corrupt democrats steal an election.
Kye: Then so were the Founding Fathers for their successful coup.
The Founders overthrew the monarchy in favor of a republic. The states had working legislatures before, during, and after the revolution.
Trump attempted to subvert the results of the presidential election to thwart democracy.
The Founding Fathers overthrew their lawful King. That is a fuking coup no matter how you leftists try to frame it. The states “working legislatures” had nothing to do with tossing out crazy King George.
Exactly HOW did Donald try and “subvert” the results of an obviously fraudulent election? By challenging the results? is it now a “coup” to question our Rulers? Is it “subversion” to demand a legitimate audit? Is it treason to suggest the demofascists lied and falsified ballots? They’ve been doing it for years.
Kye: The Founding Fathers overthrew their lawful King.
The claim was that the King had violated their rights under common law, becoming a tyrant.
Kye: Exactly HOW did Donald try and “subvert†the results of an obviously fraudulent election?
There’s no evidence the election was fraudulent.
Apparently, the BG is a 100% fact-free periodical.
Diet reading?
William Teach: Trump, who tried to reduce the influence of the federal government on citizens, reduce regulations, reduce taxation, was a tyrant or something.
Trump tapped into a strain of authoritarianism, and tried to weaken the pillars of democratic governance.
William Teach: Biden refusing to enforce the duly passed immigration laws, as required by the Constitution.
The Congress has granted the Executive wide discretion in enforcement of immigration laws, such as
212(d)(5)(A) – Parole of aliens into the United States.
William Teach: It’s Biden implementing all sorts of COVID mandates, who’s refusing to send medications to states like Florida who annoy him.
Anti-viral medications are still being sent to Florida, but they no long can monopolize the supply.
William Teach: This is simply more Trump Derangement Syndrome because he refused to release his tax returns.
Actually, he promised to release them.
William Teach: Emoluments? If they want to strengthen that, pass an Amendment.
William Teach: They serve at the pleasure of the President.
The Congress can make conditions for funding, such as having a fair accounting of how the money has been spent.
William Teach: When they passed OSHA, did anyone consider that they would manufacture the ability (supposedly) to mandate vaccines?
29 U.S.C. § 654 – Duties of employers and employees
5 U.S. Code § 552 – Public information; agency rules, opinions, orders, records, and proceedings
William Teach: Where did the authority to implement a contraception mandate come from?
42 U.S. Code § 18022 – Essential health benefits requirements
5 U.S. Code § 552 – Public information; agency rules, opinions, orders, records, and proceedings
It is a pillar of democracy to allow unelected officials make rules outside the law?
Florida was not monopolizing the supply. The State of Florida made a legal contract with vendors. The Federal government at first disparaged the drug, and then when they discovered that it had benefits, tried to break those contracts without any legal basis for doing so.
Neither of which gives OSHA to ability to mandate vaccines in the manner they did.
It’s funny that you claim that Trump’s legal authority to reel in regulations was an assault on democracy but OSHA’s and the CDC’s assault on the laws and their own rules are okay until a court agrees.
gitarcarver: It is a pillar of democracy to allow unelected officials make rules outside the law?
That doesn’t seem responsive to the comment. Even now, Trump has refused to concede the election. In any case, unelected officials can make rules within the law, and as overseen by the courts. You don’t think there has to be a vote every time they put in a traffic light?
gitarcarver: Neither of which gives OSHA to ability to mandate vaccines in the manner they did.
COVID makes many workplaces unsafe, so rules to limit spread of COVID at work are within OSHA’s mandate.
Every USC citation you pointed out is an overreach of the law and an abuse of the People. You claim all this bull shit is lawful. We claim if it is then we’ve been living under tyranny and didn’t know it. Bureaucracies have no legitimate authority to legislate and giving it to them is tyranny because they are( like senile) joe unelected.
“Actually, he (Trump) promised to release them.”
So what? Should I review lyin’ joe’s lies for ya? They’re politicians but we understand it’s okay for your guys to lie their stupid asses off.
Kye: Every USC citation you pointed out is an overreach of the law and an abuse of the People.
There’s a process for adjudicating that claim—the courts. Indeed, judicial review is written into those laws.
Kye: Bureaucracies have no legitimate authority to legislate
Some powers Congress cannot delegate, but most regulatory authorities it can. Indeed, it intrinsic to the process and dates to the country’s founding. One example is veterans’ benefits from the Revolutionary War. Congress granted the funds and the mandate, but left it up to the executive to set up the procedure for allocating those benefits.
You are arguing for the institution of laws by those chosen only to apply policies. Which is fine if that’s how you want to live. Under tyranny. I choose not to.
BTW, the colonies were not “states” and therefore could not have had state legislatures. Usually they had Assemblies or “Houses” like Burgesses or SC’s Common House of Assembly.
They were replaced by loyalists when the “insurrection” began as the Tories were persona non grata.
Delegation of some powers is fine within the confines of the law, but there is noting to indicate the CDC can cancel lawful rents or contracts. Period. And I hope you agree they shouldn’t be able to either.
Ya know Zachriel, this whole Wuhan flu crap is bullshit. I could understand it if it were a real plague where bodies were stacked like wood on the streets and the mortality rate was 20 or 30%. But a friggin flu with a mortality of less than 2% where they had to lie and inflate the numbers is ridiculous. Especially when they spent going on two years changing the rules, and most importantly, changing the people to whom those rules apply.
The argument is so weak, so fallacious the CDC had to literally change the definition of
“vaccine” to comply with the effects on this disease and it’s results and properties. Even brilliant guys like you felt compelled to point out to we lesser beings that vaccines were never 100% like we foolishly actually believed they were.
The whole thing is bread and circus and you “smart guys” are the first ones who fell for it.
Kye: this whole W**** flu crap is bullshit
Tell that to the 685,000 American families grieving for lost loved ones.
Regarding your other piece of disinformation:
The Covid vaccines stimulate the body’s immune response (both humoral, i.e., antibodies, and cellular) just as intended.
Liar. The fake number of 685,000 American families loosing loved ones to Demofascist Flu is a monumental lie. The numbers were inflated from Day One to instill fear, panic and compliance from a complacent populace. The fake numbers include people who died of pneumonia, the regular flu, COPD, emphysema, and several other lung diseases. It also included AT LEAST 400,000 people who died WITH Demofascist Flu but not FROM Demofascist Flu.
You fukers lie so much we can’t trust a word you say and no fool in his right mind would trust YOUR NUMBERS on anything from election votes to Demofascist Flu deaths or how may illegal Haitians were “vetted” at our border. You’re all fukin liars.
Now, about your lying definition of flu vaccines:
“A recent change on the CDC website should disturb all of us because it appears that the CDC is trying to change how we understand vaccinations.
Here’s the “Definition of Terms†for Immunization as captured on August 26, 2021. I’ve highlighted the key points.
Immunity: Protection from an infectious disease. If you are immune to a disease, you can be exposed to it without becoming infected.
Vaccine: A product that stimulates a person’s immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease , protecting the person from that disease. Vaccines are usually administered through needle injections, but can also be administered by mouth or sprayed into the nose.
Vaccination: The act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease.
Immunization: A process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. This term is often used interchangeably with vaccination or inoculation.
These definitions have been in place since at least May 16, 2018.
Here’s the “Definition of Terms†for immunizations now, which was updated on September 1, 2021, with changes highlighted.
Immunity: Protection from an infectious disease. If you are immune to a disease, you can be exposed to it without becoming infected.
Vaccine: A preparation that is used to stimulate the body’s immune response against diseases. Vaccines are usually administered through needle injections, but some can be administered by mouth or sprayed into the nose.
Vaccination: The act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce protection from a specific disease.
Immunization: A process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. This term is often used interchangeably with vaccination or inoculation.
So in a week, a vaccine went from being something that “produces immunity to a specific disease†to something that merely “stimulates the body’s immune response against diseases,†and a vaccination no longer “produces immunity†to a disease, just “protection†from a disease.
Does anyone else find this disturbing? Elwood doesn’t. He lives in Orwellian Newspeak continuously and finds solace in the lies of those he worships on a continuing basis.
Why did the CDC suddenly redefine “vaccine†and “vaccination†to make them sound similar to your basic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or a prescription drug you have to keep taking regularly?
BECAUSE THE CURRENT “VACCINES” DON’T FUKIN WORK!!!!
Kye: Does anyone else find this disturbing?
No. By the way, no vaccine provides perfect immunity or protection from infection.
Kye: Why did the CDC suddenly redefine “vaccine†and “vaccination†to make them sound similar to your basic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or a prescription drug you have to keep taking regularly?
Many vaccines require multiple shots or boosters to maintain effectiveness.
Kye: BECAUSE THE CURRENT “VACCINES†DON’T FUKIN WORK!!!!
CDC study shows unvaccinated people are 29 times more likely to be hospitalized with Covid