Wiston Papers
Executive Authority
President Obama is clearly within his legal right to use
executive powers to move the country forward.
The number of times he employs this tactic or the issues he chooses to
promote may rightfully be subject to criticism.
But, as the article states, he has the constitutional power to do so.
I have long argued that Mr. Obama needed to use his
discretionary authority to tackle and implement those policies when Congress
refuses to act. To his credit, the
president has usually tried to persuade lawmakers through intellectual
discussion and appeal to reason. That is
the correct approach.
But when this fails, the President should take the necessary
steps to advance policies that—in his opinion—benefit the nation.
Mr. Obama, unfortunately, did not do this earlier in his
administration. When he had the mandate
to force Wall Street Bankers to rollback much criticized bonuses for investors
responsible for the financial crisis but did nothing, he was wrong.
When he did not move forcefully on his own to assure the
release of designated mortgage relief funds to homeowners at risk, he as wrong.
And his failure to jawbone with oil executives to rollback
high gasoline prices is another mistake.
Presidential candidates make many promises, but often
require Congressional cooperation to fulfill them. Americans want strong leadership in the White
House and deserve it. Unilateral
Executive Authority is one tool to do that.
It’s refreshing to see that Mr. Obama has demonstrated his
willingness to act presidential on some issues.
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