Quote:
Originally Posted by Buffy
The principal things that I think need recreating are: - Respect for the rule of law by the Office of the President: I would like to go back to the days when a President was not allowed to do anything he wanted with impunity and using every means to circumvent the restrictions placed on him by the other two branches of government. They are supposed to be co-equal according to the Constitution, but the President has not operated that way for the last 8 years.
- Elimination of the "fourth branch" of government, allowing the Vice President to declare that he is above all the other three (official) branches of government and is not obligated to obey any laws governing record keeping, procedures for maintaining the security of top secret documents, engaging in exposing the identities of government agents purely for political purposes and other activities of highly uh, "questionable" legality.
- A return to the civility of debate between people of opposing political viewpoints without being labeled as "against the troops," "wanting to destroy America," "anti-American," "Marxist," or other hate filled epithets that are intended only for political gain.
Differences on tax policy, government spending, and what to do about abortion or civil unions are all absolutely things that fair minded people can disagree about, but should instead of screaming "communist!" or "baby killers!" and insisting that no compromise is possible, be areas where these differences are discussed and compromises studied and hopefully agreed upon.
That sort of thing has been going on among the common folk pretty much non-stop, however our so-called leaders have not much cooperated, caring more about re-election than formulating the right political policies. |
Obama, his advisor's and those that are going to lead this country, IMO are now learning the reason our leaders have always been given special treatment or consideration, while in office or after leaving office. Most of your complaints are in fact complaints against the current administration, no less than I heard from my own party when Clinton was in office, Bush/Reagan before him and so on back through history, including from what read, back to Washington. Personally, I don't want to know all they knew/know or do I feel the general public could handle that knowledge. The yet born historians that will explore the Bush years are going to find out some interesting things and his efforts will be argued probably for many generations.
What you read on most blogs, hear from advocates of some agenda or politicians say during a campaign or even via media, is not what actually happens in Government. In short, no the Branches are not equal, but have separate and distinct duties under the Constitution, with minor adjustments made through amendment or laws. What gives them any equality is the 'checks/balances' each has over the other by the use of independent authority. The VP for instance, does have some authority in the Senate and if practiced could set procedure. Adams, as VP, most certainly did do this and the deciding vote in hundreds of decisions over 8 years. IMO, mentioning the 'deciding vote' was to take the VP out of meaningless effort, not a limitation to his/her power.
As I addressed Nitack's thread, one recreation of our Government could be in a realistic 4th branch, similar to the Judicial or independent from the others with specific duties. Functionally bringing minorities or special interest into government and along the lines of the Judicial 9 districts. Say 2 or 4 from each representing those area needs or interest. I would suggest these people are picked by an alternating system of State Legislatures, for 2-4 year terms with 2 term limits or the true intent of the founders. I would further suggest they serve as close to voluntary as possible, if not totally, or sponsored by State Legislatures as they see fit. These people, could be from any profession, but should have one. Teachers, lawyers, social workers, with no limits on their agenda. I will leave 'specific purpose' (power/authority/oversight) open, has this could go in several directions, giving voices to many who have no voice, including all 14 other than major parties or the hundreds of special interest groups.
Thunderbird; Since this your thread, it might be interesting to hear what you had in mind when offering it. To every administration, there is a very minor recreation, with the known knowledge any changes are subject to change in 4 or 8 years by the next. Add in the House can change every two years, there is not much time to change anything. Good ideas from past administration even some bad are still around and Bush's 'Faith Based Initiative' policy likely to be a good one.
