Toronto Sun: Imperial Presidency

[marmar]

By ERIC MARGOLIS




NEW YORK -- Presidential State of the Union addresses often strike me as embarrassing spectacles of imperial pomp and crass jingoism unworthy of the great American republic.

They often recall Chairman Leonid Brezhnev's turgid orations to the Soviet Politburo. Watching senators and congressmen jump to their feet at every presidential cliche and applaud like clapping seals cheapens what should be a dignified event. President George W. Bush's address this week was far more sombre and subdued than his previous "bring 'em on" gasconades. He looked relaxed and confident in spite of the air of "fin de regime" hanging over Washington.

However, a new poll shows most Americans now believe Congress, not the president, should manage foreign policy. This is a remarkable sea change.

Following Bush's address, the Senate's foreign relations committee politely rebuked Bush's plans to send more troops to Iraq. A similar non-binding resolution from the full Democratic-controlled Congress is expected next week. But the real power behind Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney, immediately sneered back, "it won't stop us." His contemptuous retort illustrates the neo-totalitarian impulses that continue to grip the Republican party's far right. Cheney and a cabal of pro-war neoconservatives are the prime exponents of imperial presidency.

They dismiss Congress and the courts as "little jabber houses," to paraphrase British imperialist, Sir Basil Zaharoff.

The stage is now set for what could become a major constitutional crisis between executive and legislative branches.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the president, like Rome's consuls, is military leader and holds primacy in foreign policy. Congress declares war, controls purse strings, levies troops, and confirms treaties. The constitution is vague about congressional power in foreign affairs. But, at minimum, Congress speaks for all Americans, particularly in wartime, and must not be ignored...(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/Margolis_Eric/2007/01/28/3467253-sun.html

[jaysunb]

1. Bingo !

WOW ! this is a must read for every American.

And this:

Bush's last term marks the zenith of the long growth of the imperial presidency and decline of congressional authority. The 9-11 attacks and a docile Republican majority dominated by southern rustics and holy rollers turned Congress into a rubber stamp for Bush's policies. Most of the members of Congress have demonstrated political cowardice, moral failure and gross dereliction of their duty to defend the constitution, the nation's laws, and citizen's rights.

YES !


K&R

[marmar]

2. "WOW ! this is a must read for every American."

Yes. And naturally it's in a Canadian newspaper.

[twylatharp]

3. yup.eom

[Benhurst]

4. Great article!

:bounce: Recommended

[0007]

5. The whole planet is making the USA the butt of all jokes.

Who do we think we're fooling?

A five star article.

[SusanaMontana41]

6. Fantastic

Thanks for the link.

K&R!

[OneBlueSky]

7. I'm surprised Bush hasn't tried to resurrect the Nixon "palace guard" uniforms . . .

at one point during the Nixon years, Tricky Dick ordered new uniforms for the White House security corps . . . when they were unveiled, they looked like something out of Gilbert and Sullivan and were widely ridiculed . . . the plan was quietly dropped, and some high school marching band ended up with some VERY expensive new uniforms . . . sure wish I could locate a photo of one of those monstrosities . . .

[Demeter]

8. US Foreign Policy Leader: ANYBODY BUT BUSH!

It's not that we want Congress to do it, as much as we'd like George to take an extended vacation (maybe join Scalia and Cheney on a duck hunt, or something, and see who, er, what falls out.)