And what happens in 8 years when Obama leaves office...

[originalpckelly]

and God forbid, a Republican is elected.

Why should my human rights be determined by who is in office? That is the problem with this system, and before that time there must be improvements made to this system to prevent future presidents from having so much power that they can suspend the US Constitution. If President Obama is a good and decent man, as it appears from all signs, then he should cede power back to the people's representatives, the states, and the people themselves.

Nothing in this system should be secret. There is no possibility of public accountability when something can be secret, as it is clear that something corrupt can be classified and closed off from public scrutiny.

We the people should not implicitly trust the institution of the presidency, as it itself is corrupted beyond repair. Our nation is not one of wo/men, it is one of laws. And relying upon elected officials to maintain the continuity of rule of law is not acceptable in the long term. No matter how good one President might be, we must always remember that an abundance of caution in such a high office is necessary.

When Rome turned itself into an empire, it was under the guiding hand of Julius Caesar. They could not have seen Caligula or Nero off in the distance, but they would feel the pain and suffering of their tyranny. We came very close to all of us feeling that pain and suffering under Bush, and I suspect that it will be within my lifetime that we will feel the pain of such a tyrant, if things do not change now.

We must take this opportunity and make sure that this system can stand both good people and bad people holding power.

[hlthe2b]

1. "ceding power back to the states" assures you of losing rights...

That's the entire premise behind turning over Roe v Wade--to let it be up to the states. So women get to be human and own their own bodies only if they happen to live in a state that is not run by Neanderthals--a patchwork system of results, not unlike slavery in the territories so long ago. Civil rights must be uniform. GLBT rights must be based on national policy and a constitutional rendering of civil rights.

While I agree with your points on the need to set in stone the constitutional powers and hold all to account, giving latitude to the states is not the answer.

[originalpckelly]

4. Instead of addressing the real problem, which is not resolving these issues...

we use the power of the federal government to coerce one another into following decisions. One day, the policy of the US is not to allow NGOs to talk about abortion overseas, the next it's a completely different story. All because one man left, and another entered the office.

The problem is that you don't see the problem with that. What happens in 8 years, or even 4, if a Republican is elected? If that's a good policy, why should it be dependent upon who's in office? If the majority of people in this nation feel that way, shouldn't that policy continue?

That's my problem with this system. The laws are not dependent solely upon the will of the people, but upon the will of the president.

[hlthe2b]

6. You are mixing apples and oranges...

Your rather patronizing assumption, "The problem is that you don't see the problem with that. What happens in 8 years, or even 4, if a Republican is elected?" I will simply state that that is far from the truth. I agree that there is a problem with the whole concept of EXECUTIVE ORDERS, which is what you are referring to. Contrast this to FEDERAL LAW and those rights laid out by the CONSTITUTION. These are quite different issues, requiring different solutions. Blending them into one big pile of frustration, affords no opportunity to look at solutions.

I agree there are major systemic problems and that the integrity and good will of the President (or lack there of) affords far too many opportunities for ideological manipulation. Electing carefully the person who will hold that office is critical and our loss of effective media reporting and scrutiny allows the public to be mislead. But, we have let the courts assume the bulk of the checks and balances on the Executive, given the impotence of a sycophantic congress. Courts are too slow in affording these checks and similarly bastardized by ideological
appointments. So, where are we? If we want to assert more control over the executive, the balance has been lost in Congress. I would argue the press and Congress is where we need to exert our efforts. No more DINOS and Federalize the $$ in elections. FCC needs to be restructured top to bottom to remove the ideologues and strengthen protections against monopolies in media.

That as a start...

[stillcool]

2. Too bad we don't hold our own representatives..

accountable. I'm sure people will continue to be far more vocal in their disapproval of the President than they are of those who represent them, and vote against their interests. And of course, action will be limited to watching the tv.

[originalpckelly]

3. I've typed until I had black and blue fingers about the Representatives.

I think it's mathematically impossible for someone to meet all the people they represent, and if they can't even meet us even once, then how are they supposed to know us well enough to make decisions about our lives?

[stillcool]

7. It is we that cede all power to the few...

Writing a letter, making a phone call is not too much to ask. I think all Congresspeople have meetings in the counties they represent to discuss issues. I understand why it is difficult for people to attend, but that has to change. It is sickening the way so many criticize those that don't represent them, while their own representatives are some of the worst in government. I don't know how it is people expect anything to change on the federal level, when they can't get their own state government/representatives to do the right thing. It is not up to them to meet with us individually, it is we that need to communicate with them and each other on an individual basis.

[DainBramaged]

5. Five days into the Obama Administration and the concern for 2016 begins?

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: